Learning to Trike

Learning to Trike

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Trike Flying-- The Basics: How long does it take to become a Pilot, Where can I learn, How much does it cost, etc: Revision

Last updated by XC Triker

Categories: Training / Learning to Fly a Trike

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Do I need a License to fly a trike?

       Yes, no but yes!   In the US, if a trike has two-seats, you will need a license to fly it.

                 Some single seat trikes however are small, & light, enough to qualify under FAR Part 103.

                 Part 103 trikes do not require a license to fly, however, to put it bluntly, only an idiot

                 would try and fly without training (there are several deaths every year by people who think

                maybe they are different than all the other talented people who've died trying).

 

What type of License do I need?

        In the US, you can obtain either a Private Pilot license, Sport Pilot, or Recreational pilot's license ....

         Private Pilot license:

         Sport Pilot:

         Recreational pilot license:

 

       In Australia, it is similar, however .....

 

How long does it take / how many hours?

         In the US, the minimum is  xxhrs  but expect to take between yy & zz hrs over 4-12 months.

         In the OZ, the minimum is  xxhrs  but expect to take between yy & zz hrs over 4-12 months.

         In the UK, the minimum is  xxhrs  but expect to take between yy & zz hrs over 4-13 months.

 

How much does a typical trike cost?

          You might find a very cheap well used Part 103 trike for $6K US or a super expensive 2 seat trike for over $100K.  On the low end of the scale, you get what you pay for and your LIFE is dependant on that.  Saving a couple bucks on a rust bucket will be of no consolation to you when it snaps mid air.  A well equipped used two-seater is likely to cost $30 to $55K with a lot of factors depending.

          Do NOT buy a trike off of eBay or out of some garage something that's been sitting for years-- there's a reason it was retired that way and no serious triker is flying it-- believe me if it was really the deal you think it is (rather than the death trap it really is) the triker community would have snapped it up.  Usually it has an outdated and dangerous wing, or other components.  An aircraft engine has to be basically flawless-- this is not a lawn mower, if it does not run 99.999% of the time, you'll be in trouble.

         DO have your instructor help you with your decision.  Fly your instructor's trike for a while, then fly another intructor's trike-  think about the differences and how the fit you and the style of flying you think you'll do--  that style will likely be different than you thought it was by the time you finish training.

        There is no ONE best trike.  Is there one best motorcycle?  Is a Goldwing "better" than a KLR-650?  Is it "better" if it costs more than others?  No, but there is a site where you can get that vibe---  this is not that site  ; )

 

 

How Fast does a Trike go?

          (Yellow ones go slightly slower)

 

How High can a Trike go?

        (not as high in Australia because since they are upside down, there is not as much room below them)