T-Lite Part 103 Trike: Sun 'N Fun Grand Champion

I finally got to see and fly the T-Lite, AirBorne's new Part 103 trike, at Sun 'N Fun (it won Sun 'N Fun's Grand Champion award for ultralights).  What a fun little aircraft this is.  The day I flew it there was 8-10 knots of wind from the northwest and with the T-Lite being so light I was a little concerned about the handling in what are typically bumpy conditions (I'm used to flying the much heavier XT-912).  I needn't have worried.

Since I am not a hang-glider pilot this is the lightest thing I've ever flown.  The sensation was one of floating as much as flying.  The little 4-stroke Bailey engine fired right up (it has an automatic choke so all you have to do is turn on the mag switch and hit the starter -- yes it has an electric starter) and was immediately ready to go.  When I lined up on the runway and gave it the juice it seemed like I was airborne after a few feet.  I felt like I'd lifted off at walking speed and then just floated up into the sky.

The other thing I was unprepared for but really appreciated was how well the T-Lite handled turbulence.  Instead of  the bumps I'm familiar with the T-Lite turbulence felt more like gentle shoves up or down.  And that brings me to another discovery -- the T-Lite loves going up and would rather not come down.  As I was flying from Lakeland-Linder to South Lakeland airport it seemed like I had to keep pulling back on the throttle to remain level.  Maybe there was a lot of rising air that afternoon; I don't know.  What I do know is that the T-Lite wanted to soar. 

When it came time to land I reduced the throttle to idle and expected a 300-500 fpm decent.  Nope, I just hung there in the sky.  I had to suck the bar into my chest to get down without having to do a go-around.  When it is time to land the T-Lite you need to plan ahead.

The T-Lite uses the Core wing (see specifications below).  This wing was purpose built for the T-Lite (versus taking a hang-glider wing and bolting it onto a heavier frame).  Furthermore, this aircraft was tested to Light Sport standards even though it is a Part 103 aircraft, so you know it is ruggedly built.

With respect to portability the T-Lite has retractable landing gear.  They don't retract in flight but on the ground they fold up so that you can put your flying machine in the trunk of your car!  This thing is as portable as a hang-glider, can soar like a hang-glider, but unlike a hang-glider it doesn't need to be towed into the air and when the thermals die down you can just restart the engine and fly home.  Pretty neat.

You can hear more about the T-Lite from Powered Sport Radio's interview with Dr. Lee Woodriff (towards the end of the interview).

Visit AirBorne's T-Lite Information Page.

T-Lite Specifications:

T-Lite Photo Gallery