Do I need a licence to fly a trike?

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations are very clear in this matter… you must have a recognised licence to fly any type of aircraft... and the aircraft itself must be licensed.

How much time will it take me to get my licence?

It is very difficult to give a definitive answer to this question as students are so different. Our governing body, the Hang Gliding Federation of Australia (HGFA), insists on an absolute minimum of 20 hours instruction time before a licence may be granted. However, only students with other aviation experience would be able to achieve licence standard at minimum hours. The average student will reach licence standard in about 30 hours.

How much time will it take me to get to solo stage?

Again, individual differences mean that it is difficult to give a definite answer but, average students generally reach solo stage somewhere between 15 and 18 hours.

What are the realistic costs involved in getting a licence?

Instruction costs are set out on the Flight Training page. However, it is realistic to allow for a total of between $3,500 and $4,000. For comparison, a General Aviation (GA) licence to fly a single-engine Cessna-type aircraft will cost you in excess of $10,000.

Is there much study involved in gaining a licence to fly?

There is some study involved but it is not too onerous and your instructor is only too willing to help you. You will be required to pass a Pre-Solo exam, a Radio Operators exam and a Basic Aeronautical Knowledge (BAK) exam prior to gaining your restricted licence. The Cross-Country Endorsement, which entails some navigation studies, qualifies you as an unrestricted pilot and allows you to fly anywhere in Australia - with some exceptions as noted below.

How do I learn the theory required?

Theory is covered in a number of ways. Your instructor will discuss some topics as you fly and some will be treated in pre-flight and post-flight briefings. There will be some structured lessons to attend and you will be expected to purchase and become familiar with some books which cover the full range of theory requirements. Your instructor will guide you in the selection of reading material.

Do I need to be physically strong to fly a trike?

Manipulating the control frame on a trike requires no more than average dexterity or physical strength. World-wide, there are many female (and lightly-framed male) pilots who can attest that only minimal physical strength is needed.

Will I need a medical examination before I can get a licence?

To fly a microlight aircraft, there are no medical requirements beyond those required for the holding of a driver’s licence.

Must I join the HGFA?

Yes. To continue training past three hours you are required to be a member of the HGFA.

Why must I join the HGFA?

For the first three hours of training you are covered by your instructor’s third-party liability insurance. After this time, you must have your own insurance cover which is included in your membership fee.

Do I need to buy my own trike?

For your early training, you will probably be using the instructor’s trike. Once you have progressed to solo standard, the instructor may allow you to continue using his trike. However, it’s more likely that he will need that trike to train other students. Now is the time to decide to buy your own trike.

How much does it cost to buy a trike?

How long is a piece of string? New trikes start from $27,426 and can be optioned up to more than $70,000. There are some second-hand trikes available but not all are what they seem. Your instructor can be relied upon to give you the best advice about any decision to purchase a trike.

What are the on-going operating costs?

Rotax 503 and 582 trike engines generally use about 13 to 16 litres of fuel per hour while the Rotax 912 engine  uses 8 to 10 litres per hour. In addition, you will need to allow for ongoing  maintenance costs for servicing at 25 hour intervals.

Who carries out the maintenance and service requirements on trikes?

No-one except a Licenced Aircraft Mechanical Engineer (LAME) may carry out any work on a conventional aircraft which is an expensive exercise. Trike owners, on the other hand, are allowed to carry out their own work under the supervision of their Chief Flying Instructor (CFI).

Are there any restrictions on the operation of trikes?

As a trade-off for being allowed to carry out our own servicing and maintenance, trikes are not allowed to directly overfly any built-up areas. Also, because they are not fitted with transponders, trikes are not allowed to fly in controlled air-space.

What sort of weather conditions are required for flying trikes?

Trikes are the lightest-weight aircraft category operating being less than 450 kg all-up weight. Turbulent or thermal conditions can make flying uncomfortable and strong cross-winds will make landing challenging. AirBorne trikes are rated for crosswinds of 14 knots at maximum all-up weight.

How long does it take to rig a trike for transport?

Experienced owners take no more than 30 minutes to pack the wing in its carry bag and put the trike base onto a trailer ready for transport. At your destination it will take another 30 minutes to re-assemble the trike and be ready for your first flight.

Can I fly my trike anywhere?