Microlite Flying In Chiang Mai

[Crow Boy]

Personally I think Ultralights which fly like a wounded duck is a better/safer option than an autogyro which flies like an anvil when the motor stops.

"...when the cheeks of your @rse clench, that is the time to pull like <deleted> on the collective and you will have a nice soft landing."

Oddly enough that is almost word for word what AussieThai was telling me about his last night on the town

:

CB

Edited June 1, 2007 by Crow Boy

[Austhaied]

Gyro's, no <deleted> way unless it looks like a kebab and has tahini sauce on it..

I'll stick to my microlight plan thank you very much..

<---No chance..

[JimsKnight]

Gyrocopters are the way forward for the price and charm! I think if the engine / prop cuts out the overhead rotors still autorotate (in a helicopter they don't do this you have a try and manually restart them?) so you descend at about 15 mph instead of ground shattering speeds.

I was watching an aussie sheepshearing buzzball taking his gyro. up and around his farm on YouTube. He used it to round up his cattle with! Then he circle landed it needing only about 25 meters to come to a complete halt

The noise they make is proper quirky! Its like a Rhhhuuummm! buzz of the engine with a Schwhoooop! Schwhoooop! Schwhoooop! of the rotor blades above you! Imagine a small microlight and helicopter engine and its something like that.

[Austhaied]

The noise they make is proper quirky! Its like a Rhhhuuummm! buzz of the engine with a Schwhoooop! Schwhoooop! Schwhoooop!

How does it go Jim ??

[mcgriffith]

Sound of anvil striking a steel ship's deck is more like it.....

[Austhaied]

Insects that fly have wings not a set of gyro blades. I'll stay with the wings on a plane deal thanks. At least if the poo hits the fan you can glide home..

[mcgriffith]

Yeah, I want to soar like an eagle, not schwooop, schwoooop, hum/buzz/crackle like some robotic dragonfly from the Planet Z.....

[Austhaied]

Yeah, I want to soar like an eagle, not schwooop, schwoooop, hum/buzz/crackle like some robotic dragonfly from the Planet Z.....

Just remember McG, You can't fly like an eagle when your surrounded by turkeys..

[Dustoff]

What a GREAT thread!

A helicopter pilot for some 40 years (12k+ hrs), I have been checking out and occasionally flying ultralights here in CM, on Lanta Island, on Maui and on the mainland of the US for quite a few years. My Thai wife also occasionally flies and in fact we are right now in Colorado gathering information to fly LA to DC with an upcoming American combat veteran's annual motorcycle Run For The Wall.

It has been my plan for many years to own my own ultralight either here in CM, in Hawaii or in Moab, Utah (can only afford one and barely that) - the last two because they are the most beautiful places I have ever flown. Until now I had not considered a gyrocopter perhaps because for some reason I assumed they were all single-seaters. I also tried the Benson a couple of times but was not impressed with the quality of the aircraft and I am not comfortable hanging my cute little buns out on an aircraft that feels like it could at any moment begin shedding parts like a Harley Davidson.

After checking out the pics and links about the gyro, it looks like I am going to have to fly one upon our return to Thailand!

And yes, all rotorwing aircraft have emergency autorotation capability; in fact a gyrocopter is in virtual autorotation all the time it is in flight. The prop merely pushes the aircraft forward which forces air through the rotor system causing it turn and provide lift. In the event of an engine failure, the pilot simply changes the angle of attack and the air coming up through the blades during descent provides sufficient rotor speed to cushion the landing. A landing with any helicopter is as easy without an engine as with - the difference being that you only get one try to get it right.

If you are indeed considering a purchase, check out AirBorne Trikes

If anyone would care to share rotorwing/ultralight discussions/experiences, and especially flying, please drop me a PM and let's get together! I do love to fly!

Keep your turns up...

[solent01]

Dustoff, have you flown a "MD600Notar"? These birds are awsome in Autorotation, you have to "roll them on" so as to maintain yaw control, I forget the exact speed, as I havn't flown one for over 5 years now, but 70kts springs to mind.

[Dustoff]

Dustoff, have you flown a "MD600Notar"? These birds are awsome in Autorotation, you have to "roll them on" so as to maintain yaw control, I forget the exact speed, as I havn't flown one for over 5 years now, but 70kts springs to mind.

I have a couple thou hrs in the old Hughes 500's which are fun but a bit cramped for my long frame.

No Notar time and while I like the idea of that much 'tail power', the advantage of a helicopter in a power-out situation is the ability to land with zero groundspeed. Any ole airplane can smash into the trees, eh? Even an ultralight can be zeroed out and sorta parachuted in if'n you have have the touch.

I had a total engine failure in a Jet Ranger between Maui and Molokai and was happy indeed not to hit those Pacific waves with any forward speed. The result? No injuries, no damage to the aircraft...

Edited June 6, 2007 by Dustoff

[jumnien]

I've got a Zenair CH701 down here in Cha-am. It lands shorter and slower than the microlites and flies faster and is much better in heavy winds. A light wind can ground the micros. Never seen a gyro... except in Mad Max

[Crow Boy]

Guys,

this thread has grown beyond what AussieThaid started as a "what I did on my weekend" into a more general thread. I think it is worth starting a new one re "Microlite Flying in Thailand" in Sports, Hobbies, and Activities. Then other readers outside CM can find it and start adding their posts. I have only flown a couple of times in Ultralites in Oz so have no expertise in these things so would one of you do like to start up the thread.

I can then put in a link thread to the new one and hopefully we can keep this going as people get involved.

CB

[Austhaied]

What a GREAT thread!

I know

If anyone would care to share rotorwing/ultralight discussions/experiences, and especially flying, please drop me a PM and let's get together! I do love to fly!

Maybe a few of us could "chip in" and get one. I'll do 33.333333 share if you're interested.

[JimsKnight]

What a GREAT thread!

I know

If anyone would care to share rotorwing/ultralight discussions/experiences, and especially flying, please drop me a PM and let's get together! I do love to fly!

Maybe a few of us could "chip in" and get one. I'll do 33.333333 share if you're interested.

Yo! That sounds like a plan!

But what about storage for micros/gyros? Do yearly membership fees cover it or do you have dig deep!?

I know for a PPL (fixed wing aircraft) from CM flying club its a pretty penny (about 70k baht ?) maybe theres the best place...?

Hmm, joint ownership is ok if everyones on the ball and does the right thing, but I think individual ownership is doable, if a microlight or gyro is about 700,000 baht or so. I guess maintainance is relatively cheap, but spare parts might be a problem... Anyone heard anything on this?

Microlights look the part good but they seem to be a bit too conventional and like an angry mosquito

Dustoff you sound like the gyro man we need!

I nominate thee for leadership of the CM Gyro Club!

I'm sending you a PM now! Its just a few beginner-type questions.

One of the characters in a book I'm working on has to use one of those wonder machines in battle! So my research may take me all over!

Wow this threads almost literally taken off!

[mcgriffith]

I haven't flown yet, but I would consider a partnership with other members.

[Dustoff]

Maybe a few of us could "chip in" and get one. I'll do 33.333333 share if you're interested.

Another person who is offering microlight flights here in CM is Nimit who can be reached at 09-866-1517; his prices may be a bit lower. He and his flying partner are the ones we flew with here and on Lanta Island. They were basically out of Pattaya and flew out of Lanta and Phuket occasionally until the tsunami wrecked their aircraft on Lanta. Nimit, a really nice guy and excellent pilot, is now operating out of an area somwhere between Doi Saket and Lamphun. We sent my wife's little sister up and she did very well for someone who had never been off the ground in her life.

Nimit's partner (cousin?) Willialux is working at a hotel in Jomtien to earn enough to get back in the air as well. Also an excellent pilot, Lux is the one who speaks the most English and we are hoping she gets back to flying soon.

Don't know about sharing ownership of a bird and I am not even sure that Thailand is the place I want to have one. There seem to be a fair amount of restricted areas (military bases, etc) and other than the mountains here in the north and the islands, Thailand is a bit boring from a pilot's perspective (mine anyway).

I have heard that you can get a decent used Airborne for around $12k US and that a new one is closer to $20k. I had considered purchasing Nimit's original one until it was swept away but there may be others available as these tour flight operators upgrade their equipment. Nimit and Lux are also friends of Prayote who runs Chiangmai Sky Adventures and we are hoping to get out there to see all these folks and get back in the air again as soon as we get settled back into CM. Meanwhile, friends are treating us to Cesna 206 flights in/around the San Luis Valley near Alamosa CO, the annual balloon festival in Telluride, sailboating down on the NM border, river rafting the Colorado River. Life is a drag...

[Austhaied]

I haven't flown yet, but I would consider a partnership with other members.

So you don't consider stage diving at Spotlight "flying". Sitting where i was it looked like you were flying to me..

[Austhaied]

Maybe a few of us could "chip in" and get one. I'll do 33.333333 share if you're interested.

Another person who is offering microlight flights here in CM is Nimit who can be reached at 09-866-1517; his prices may be a bit lower. He and his flying partner are the ones we flew with here and on Lanta Island. They were basically out of Pattaya and flew out of Lanta and Phuket occasionally until the tsunami wrecked their aircraft on Lanta. Nimit, a really nice guy and excellent pilot, is now operating out of an area somwhere between Doi Saket and Lamphun. We sent my wife's little sister up and she did very well for someone who had never been off the ground in her life.

Nimit's partner (cousin?) Willialux is working at a hotel in Jomtien to earn enough to get back in the air as well. Also an excellent pilot, Lux is the one who speaks the most English and we are hoping she gets back to flying soon.

Don't know about sharing ownership of a bird and I am not even sure that Thailand is the place I want to have one. There seem to be a fair amount of restricted areas (military bases, etc) and other than the mountains here in the north and the islands, Thailand is a bit boring from a pilot's perspective (mine anyway).

I have heard that you can get a decent used Airborne for around $12k US and that a new one is closer to $20k. I had considered purchasing Nimit's original one until it was swept away but there may be others available as these tour flight operators upgrade their equipment. Nimit and Lux are also friends of Prayote who runs Chiangmai Sky Adventures and we are hoping to get out there to see all these folks and get back in the air again as soon as we get settled back into CM. Meanwhile, friends are treating us to Cesna 206 flights in/around the San Luis Valley near Alamosa CO, the annual balloon festival in Telluride, sailboating down on the NM border, river rafting the Colorado River. Life is a drag...

Yeah it certainly sounds like a drag to me.....NOT.

Good on you Ex Rocky (now Spiderman). Enjoy every moment.

Regards.

Edited June 8, 2007 by Austhaied

[mcgriffith]

I haven't flown yet, but I would consider a partnership with other members.

So you don't consider stage diving at Spotlight "flying". Sitting where i was it looked like you were flying to me..

It depends whether you land face down or face up.....

[Austhaied]

I haven't flown yet, but I would consider a partnership with other members.

So you don't consider stage diving at Spotlight "flying". Sitting where i was it looked like you were flying to me..

It depends whether you land face down or face up.....

:D

Nearly fell off the swivel chair on reading that..

Edited June 8, 2007 by Austhaied

[Dustoff]

Dustoff you sound like the gyro man we need!

I nominate thee for leadership of the CM Gyro Club!

Uh, no way, not me! In spite of Leo/Metal Dragon signage, I am not the type to seek leadership. Nor did I intend to give the impression that I have extensive experience except in powered rotor-wing aircraft. While ready at almost any time to leap out of or off of anything to get in the air, I am not by any stretch of the imagination the 'pro from Dover' when it comes to micro/gyro aircraft. When I leap into the jaws of death it is usually alone and anyone who follows does so at their own peril.

I will however happily participate in whatever way I can, or can afford anyway, with anyone who has an avid interest in flight, especially in the CM or islands areas. I still have fantasies of parking a weight-shift microlight on floats "down there" and exploring the islands up right or plopping into some of the many lakes here in upcountry Thailand.

I didn't mean to poo-poo flying here; it is just that I do not know that much about flying locally but would very much to learn more. I still seriously intend to join the CM Flying Club, get a Thai license and learn the lay of the land from something a bit 'higher' than my Honda 750 Shadow.

Wow this threads almost literally taken off!

I can taste the bugs on my teeth already. Until then I suppose that occasionally landing, either face up or face down at Spotlight will have to do...

[Tywais]

I have a PPL with instrument but have not had the time/money to convert it to a Thai license. I do miss flying, it's one of the true feelings of freedom hard to find any other way. I admire Dustoff in being able to handle one of those 'not really meant to fly' machines.

I took a few lessons in a 'bug catcher', photo below. Flying it after transitioning to forward flight was really easy, pretty much like a fixed wing aircraft. The issues were the takeoffs (hover) and landing, the latter just goes against all my instincts as a fixed wing pilot. Couldn't get over the incredible sensitivity of the controls while trying to hover, kept wanting to go in circles.

For those that like 'copters' here are a few photos > Photo Vault

[solent01]

If you need an instructor in Chiang Mai, maybe I can help. As of yet though, I am still to convert my JAA (UK Licence), in the UK I am an Instructor and Examiner.

[Dustoff]

I took a few lessons in a 'bug catcher', photo below. Flying it after transitioning to forward flight was really easy, pretty much like a fixed wing aircraft. The issues were the takeoffs (hover) and landing, the latter just goes against all my instincts as a fixed wing pilot. Couldn't get over the incredible sensitivity of the controls while trying to hover, kept wanting to go in circles.

Cool pic - looks like a Hiller which is the very first helicopter I flew in primary flight school in 1964. "Hiller's Killer" we called it and figured if you could fly that slow old beast, you could fly anything.

Thanks for the link to more pics!

[paul-s]

My I compliment you on your really great photos - I have a JAA (UK) Private Pilots Licence and am a photographer. I flown in Chiang Mai and Pattaya but I have never yet come back yet with any great photos, due to the haze. The views however were spectacular and I can reccomend it all to many one.

As side note the "CM Flying Club" was great.

[Austhaied]

My I compliment you on your really great photos - I have a JAA (UK) Private Pilots Licence and am a photographer. I flown in Chiang Mai and Pattaya but I have never yet come back yet with any great photos, due to the haze. The views however were spectacular and I can reccomend it all to many one.

As side note the "CM Flying Club" was great.

If you are referring to the photos in the original post, then thanks. They were taken on an old 3.2 mega pixel Nikon Coolpix. I think i just got lucky on the day. The weather could not have been better, crystal clear skies and not a breath of wind. I should mention the close-up pics of the craft were taken with a hi resolution wing tip mounted camera. 200 baht for 20 shots, well worth it. I am sure my son will look back fondly at them when he is older. It really was a great experience for the young lad.

Edited June 12, 2007 by Austhaied

[Totster]

Moved to "Sports, Hobbies & Activities"

Totster

[Thanyaburi Mac]

My I compliment you on your really great photos - I have a JAA (UK) Private Pilots Licence and am a photographer. I flown in Chiang Mai and Pattaya but I have never yet come back yet with any great photos, due to the haze. The views however were spectacular and I can reccomend it all to many one.

As side note the "CM Flying Club" was great.

For those folks in other areas of Thailand, check out:

www.thaiflyingclub.com   Particularly the long listing of airports and airstrips down towards the end.

www.pattayaairpark.com

Mac

[Zeid]

Any do Microlight/ultalight flying close to Udon Thani?

and does thailand have G airspace?