The Skypper

Ok so you have seen the pictures, but what is it really like?
Well it is a similar sized trike to the P&M offering. The design is very light and strong with a modern looking welded steel structure. It is superbly configurable with the choice of 3 engines and many different wings. An option for a detachable full pod may be available in the future, making it suitable for climates like the UK. The small pod as fitted to the ones in the pictures on my last post is, in fact, very good. With the windscreen design there is very little buffeting or wind noise for the pilot at least.
Flying it seems very similar to the Tanarg with the same wing, but you can feel that there is less weight in the machine, and the 80hp rather then the 100hp of the Tanarg is not noticeable.
Production will start in November this year, there are still some minor modifications being made in comparison to the trikes in the pictures, Aircreation will not release anything until it is as perfect as they can get it!
The fuel tank has a sight tube on the side to easily read the fuel contents, but a fuel gauge on the dashboard is a factory option. The seating is not cramped at all, in fact I would say that it is less cramped than a P&M GT450, but it will be a better machine for flying instruction than the Tanarg due to the controls being in easier reach for the instructor. All the trikes at Blois had the dual controls fitted, and I assume that this is a factory option for the Skypper.
Prices have not yet been released, but I would expect that it will be about €10,000 less than the equivalent engined/wing Tanarg. If you want the prices then contact the factory or your local Aircreation dealer.

The new Aircreation Skypper

 The Skypper 582 fitted with the iXess wing.

 The 582 again showing the sleek lines of the trike.

 Rotax 582 engine fitted.

 The 912 engine and Bionix wing version.

 The same one again.

 The Skypper and its big brother, the Tanarg.

 The Skypper folded ready to fit a wing.

 Very modern design of the Skypper front end.

 HKS engine version.

 Neat and tidy side view showing strong suspension.

 BioniX wing showing the Kevlar band in the wing.

 Brothers, both with BioniX wings.

 Skypper 912/BioniX take off.

The design of the Skypper is very clean and modern looking. It is a bit smaller, and lighter, than the Tanarg, about the same trike size as the P&M range of flexwings. 

It comes with a choice of three engines, the 65hp Rotax 582 two stroke, the 60hp HKS four stroke or the 80hp Rotax 912 four cylinder four stoke. Any of Aircreations current range of wings can be fitted, as seen in the pictures above.

More to follow!

BioniX and things

What has been happening over the past year or so?
Aircreation launched the new trike called the Skypper at Blois this year, more about that later.
The Bionix is now a year old since the first sightings at Blois last year. The first service bulletin was issued at the end of July this year.
The problem stems from the plastic fairings that cover the A frame and kingpost. The velcro on the trailing edges of these fairings is not strong enough and can part. This leads to a very severe vibration trough the control bar at certain speeds.

The factory may have designed new fairings, and they are available for existing owners with the old fairings fitted.
I have had a few conversations with Tanarg pilots in the USA asking why Aircreation do not answer emails. The response is that I do not know! I don't work for Aircreation, but happen to know that they are having problems with the email at their end, a solution may be in the pipeline - watch this space.
If you need to contact the factory then phone them on a weekday morning and you should speak to Gabriel, who speaks English. Another option is to send a fax. Their numbers are on their website at http://www.aircreation.com/anglais.

The blog is back

Thanks to those people who sent requests to view the blog. It was closed for personal reasons, but it is now back!