jeff trikeAerotrike Cobra 912, with a Rival-X wing.

1800 hrs as of January 2019

Takeoff from Mexican Mountain

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By jeff trike

Categories: Cross Country / XC, Low & Slow Trikes

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Takeoff from Mexican Mountain

When I preflighted my trike, I noticed a very thin layer of frost on my wings.  I knew frost on the wing was less than ideal, but I took off anyway.  I'll never do that again.  It was just the smallest hit of frost, like very fine sandpaper on the wing.


I took off and eased the bar out when I reached 40 mph and nothing happened.   I kept on the gas and accellerated to 50 mph and just barely lifted off with a very modest climb rate.  I kept the nose down and accelerated a few feet above the runway.  When I reached 60 mph, I slowly climbed away, eventually into the sun to melt the frost off the wing. 

BEWARE      Frost on the wing == DEATH.