Trike Development and Ultralights FAQ
1. What’s the difference between a weight-shift control light-sport aircraft and an ultralight trike?
Historically, ultralights and ultralight trainers with hang glider wings mounted above a tricycle carriage have been called trikes and powered hang gliders. In the new (2004) sport pilot/light-sport aircraft rules, the FAA officially named this two-place light-sport aircraft category a “weight-shift control aircraft.” We’ll use the term “trike” to describe both single-place ultralight trike and the two-place light-sport “weight-shift control” aircraft.
2. How long have trikes been around?
Trikes first appeared in the late 1970’s when hang gliders evolved from primitive delta wings to efficient flying wings with higher aspect ratio wings, defined airfoils, and wing twist providing stability and performance. The wings have evolved over 30 years along with hang glider wings to be highly refined performance machines. Trikes have been certificated to strict government standards in Europe, Australia and now in the USA.
First motor added to a hang glider
Hang glider wing being foot-launched and flown without power.
Ultralight hang glider wing mounted on tricycle gear undercarriage creating the modern day “TRIKE”.
3. How is flying a light-sport aircraft weight-shift control trike different from flying a hang glider?
Hang gliders are usually flown without engines, from hills or mountains, or can be towed aloft using a suitably designed winch. In order to extend the flight, the hang glider pilot needs to find rising air (lift) in the form of warmer air rising in “thermals”, or ridge-lift, where the wind is deflected upward by mountain slopes. Finding and using lift to stay aloft is known as soaring. Without this lift, a hang glider will glide, gradually descending until reaching the ground.
The weight-shift control trike light-sport aircraft, is flown from level ground, without the need for hills, mountains, a winch, wind or thermals using an engine to takeoff and gain altitude.
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