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Another new product from Air Creation- The Pixel
Last updated by XC Triker Comments (13)
Categories: Trike Talk, Low & Slow Trikes, Manufacturers / Sales / Industry Pros
Another new product from Air Creation
by rouffignac
The annual microlight show at the beginning of September is the place where Air Creation choose to announce new product. This year was no exception.
The Pixel is a single seat, lightweight (90kg) trike with a new 13 square meter wing (the iFun 13). This will fit the UK SSDR deregulated category and a US lightweight category too.
The impressive thing about this little machine is .... SEE ARTICLE HERE
Comments
This looks like a lot of iFun!!! Ken (@Knussear) maybe we can get one used with no engine as the basis for our Electric Soaring trike!!!!
I don't see the point. It looks to be in that middle area where it isn't a good cross country trike, and not a good soaring trike either. Although this trike looks like a lot of fun, it is too slow to go anywhere, and too small to soar. For the hang glider pilots among us, it would be similar to flying tandem on a Falcon145.
XC triker to me, this looks somewhat similar to Airborne's T-Lite and Northwing's ATF. Nothing really unique about this trike (just my opinion). If you want a very light trike, I think Solairus is the best in terms of design and features. In that trike the few features I like is ability to quickly take the wheels & the prop off by removing a pin for easy storage in a pickup truck. Just my opinion. Rizzy
To me, with the small wing in a light trike it's probably very maneuverable with great off airport capability. With a bigger wing, it should soar. I just like the way it's built, I like some of the classic Air Creation features, nice foot pedals, nice fat tires, etc.
Different strokes, for different folks. I didn't say this was "the BEST," it just popped into my email box today as new, so I posted it for everyone and said it looked fun.
I thought the Solairus wasn't actually in real production yet (even though it sorta looked like it was really available a year or two ago). Popping it into a pickup or even a hatchback is a BIG plus. It's nice- I like all soaring trikes pretty much, but it's a little too faired in for me, or kinda one big flowing piece of fiberglass. Just aesthetics and why there should be, and actually looks like there is plenty of choice in this area (especially with one more now).
I really like the Dragonfly soaring trike, I like the retracts and folding prop, and the aesthetics of the fairing. I'd search for a folding prop for the Pixel if I was to get one.
When they say "Freewheeling Prop"-- do they mean it has a clutch? So easier start, less wear on transmission? But for soaring, you'd want a prop-brake (or better folding prop) as a windmilling propeller is actually more drag? So kinda a plus, kinda not a plus? Am I thinking about this correctly?
The guys from eUp (@RauckOn) who we're working with to give us an electric group demo event in Vegas, say that their system should be available as bolt-on to other trike frames!!! Awesome Huh? Convert any of the above into an Electric Soaring Trike!!!
@Rizzy, @Charliep you guys should try and plan to come to Vegas for that! It's easy to get tickets to Vegas, and the wife probably won't mind going.
It has been designed as a touring single seater and not a soaring trike. It will fly at 110kmh (68 mph), a speed that we were all happy with pre Bionix. It was flown from the factory in the south of France to the airshow with a Tanarg BioniX 13 escort, the pilot told me that it was great over the 250+ mile trip.
Before comparing this with any other lightweight you must also consider that it is factory built machine tested to +6g and -3g, and has a 140kg payload.
The Dragonfly is a very different machine and is a "messing about around the airfield" sort of thing. Having seen a Dragonfly with the Baily engine brand new, and the problems that the owner was having with it, I would not touch one.
There is more information here http://aircreation.fr/en/catalog/complete_u.l.m./ifun_pixel_478
That photo and the writeup here doesn't do it justice. Prior to reading more I was a bit like @Rizzy Thanks for the link @BobThompson, sounds like a nice machine. I could see lots of people that aren't in to the whole sport pilot paperwork and testing extravaganza that want a part 103 that is fast enough and has the range to keep up with the rest of us really benefitting from a trike like this.
Thanks Bob for the explanation of purpose, from the pictures alone it gives many impressions (depending on the viewers fancy). I would say that with the soaring record for HG (the ultimate "small trike") nearly 500 Miles (800km), soaring IS about XC.
Not trying to imply that I have any insider knowledge, but I would not be suprised if a soaring (bigger) wing does not come out to fit the Pixel trike and give it a wider appeal.
@Ken I can take photos, but my wife is the photographer and she was looking at pretty coloured flying clothing when I took the pictures. Before you ask she did buy things, and I bought a great Aircreation flying jacket. Good job my Royal Air Force pension has increased in the last month!
All you guys feel free to make your thoughts as comments on the blog - Aircreation do read it and I approve any comment that does not mention pen1s enlargement or Russian brides.
I hadn't thought about that angle Ken, that's true-- A 103 trike that can get up and go- Great Idea!!
When I saw "US lightweight category" I assumed a part-103 soaring trike. With two wings, it could be both!! Very cool.
(Part 103, in the US refers to Ultralights, no license, medical, paperwork, registration (taxes) needed)- I always remind wuffos that No License is not the same as no training needed. Ultralights prohibited from controlled airspace without prior permission)
They have a pretty good set of photos on the AC site.
Thanks Ken, Here's the LINK, and a teaser of their description at Air Creation's Website:
The new Air Creation single-seater wing: PLAYFUL, COMFORTABLE, LIGHTWEIGHT, and STRONG.
So to be clear: the iFun Pixel is not a powered hang glider, although its light weight (90 kg or 200 lbs) may suggest as much. This is truly an “Air Creation” in the spirit of the venerable Fun Racer that so many pilots appreciated. The iFun Pixel is built for cruising, has room for a huge payload of luggage and offers the same comfort and safety as its sister twin-seaters in our product line. It can be assembled by one person in less than 15 minutes. .... See LINK
Too bad this is only visible to those in the AC group. This would be a good trike for all to see.
Not to fear-- This IS visible to everyone (Log Out and you can still see it). You're thinking of the Air Creation Owners Group. This is posted to the public group, Air Creation- Satisfly your Passion (started by WeFly)