Microlighters in South Africa

Mark Becker turned me on to this great bulletin board from South Africa. Great way to compare points of view from a different part of the world.

LINK

Magic Trikes USA - Ace Aviation

Located in Casper, Wyoming, Magic Trikes USA was created by Dan Cooper to import, sell, and service Ace Magic Trikes throughout the United State. What I particularly like about this design is its portability (check picture above!). These are part 103 single-seat designs and a great alternative to LSA.

Ace Aviation started the design on the single seater Magic Microlight series back in 1999. It has been tested, modified and produced in India since then. Materials from Europe and America are used in the construction of the trike, air-frame and sail. The airframe tubing is certified for ultralight construction. John Penry-Evans who originally came from Wales in the UK has been involved in the aerosports industry since the 1970's. He directs all of Ace Aviation’s production work in India and together with a workforce of 18 skilled people keeps the standard of the finished product very high.

LINK

Wings of Madness - Alberto Santos Dumont

Today I saw a fascinating Nova presentation (PBS) on the life and accomplishments of Alberto Santos Dumont. He was one of the most significant pioneers of flight, though his accomplishments were initially overshadowed by the Wright Brothers.

Born in Brazil, he went to Paris in 1897 where he developed the first successful powered Dirigibles. Though a man of small stature, he became the hit of Europe for his constantly changing and improving designs. Ultimately, after reaching the end of the road with lighter-than-air machines, he moved on to airplanes. Working in part to acquire a 3,000 franc (in 1906) prize for the first to fly 60 meters, he designed and successfully flew the 14-bis to an immediate win.

After retreating to the countryside at age 32, his life took a tragic turn. WWI began and he saw the fruits of his hard work and hope for their peaceful use turned to non-peaceful means. This took its toll on his psyche and he went in and out of mental institutions for more than five years. Eventually, his family moved him back to Brazil for help. While in a sanitarium in his hometown, he saw military aircraft flying overhead and ultimately crashing during Brazil's civil war. The thought of brother killing brother with his invention was too much for him and he hung himself in his room that day. He was ultimately buried with the cause of death listed as "heart attack" in order to preserve his status as a national hero of Brazil.

The show is captivating and shows how incredibly similar some of his early machines were to our modern ultralights, especially his best design, the 1909 Demoiselle #20.

Don't miss this wonderful presentation on a PBS station in your broadcast area, or check the preview and details online.

LINK TO PBS

Wikipedia Article