18
CONTROLLING YOUR TRIKE
TAXIING
Once familiar with all the controls, your instructor will require that you become totally at home
with the nose wheel fork, brake and throttle controls for ground handling. The footrests are
attached directly to the nose wheel fork unit and the steering is thus similar to that of a
tricycle. The wheel follows the movement of your feet, i.e. the right foot forward for a left turn
and vice-versa. You need to be competent with the ground handling, as it is very important
during the take off and landing roll.
FLIGHT CONTROLS
The trike unit is attached to the wing by means of a universal joint, which is free to pivot in two
planes. The longitudinal movement (fore and aft) of the trike is used to control the Aquilla in
the pitching plane, and lateral movement for controlling the rolling plane. To be more specific,
by moving the wing control bar backwards the Aquilla’s nose is towards you. By pushing the
control bar away from you, the angle of attack increases with increased drag, resulting in a
decrease in airspeed.
Roll control is accomplished in a very similar fashion. To roll to the right is achieved by pushing
the control bar over to the left. When the required angle of bank has been established, the
wing must be centralised by moving the control bar back to the middle or neutral position.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
ENGINE STOPS, LOSES POWER OR RUNS ROUGHLY
1.
Don’t panic
2.
Check terrain below for the best flat field or road.
3.
Check for obstacles especially power lines.
4.
Check wind direction.
5.
Approach with a little more speed than usual.
6.
Practice these landings over a large airfield regularly.
YOU GET CAUGHT IN A CLOUD
1.
Don’t panic
2.
Keep bar centralized and in neutral pitch
3.
If there are any high obstacles around, climb.
4.
If you have a compass or GPS use them to keep on a straight heading.
5.
Your options are either to climb through and pop out above or find a clear area and
descend. These Trikes have flown over 30 minutes in cloud on many occasions so keep
your head and you’ll be fine. But never voluntarily go into cloud.
