What can you do with a Trike, Well...

Goggle and 3D Imagery

Google's mapping applications, Google Earth and Google Maps, are extremely useful tools for low level aerial photographers and a number of previous posts have addressed the utility of these mapping tools including:
Integrating low level aerial photographs into Google Earth
The Sky Gypsies:  Even Google Earth is getting into low level aerial photography
Integrating Google maps with with Flight paths, photographs, and video

But Google has just released a new video, shown below, and described plans to incorporate 3D imagery of several cities created using a fleet of small aircraft (light sport aircraft?).  What is interesting are the camera angles and scenes presented.  Viewing any random video produced by a trike pilot at Trike Pilot Social and the same viewpoints, camera angles, and scenes may be observed.  It suggests that Google has figured out that just rising above the landscape even a 100' gives a whole new perspective to the landscape. It is as interesting to observe the use of relative motion in presenting heir images.  Relative motion, the movement of foreground objects with respect to background objects, only enhances the results.

Operation Migration and the FAA

Several days ago Operation Migration ran directly into the FAA while shepherding young cranes on their first migration to Florida.  The weight shift controlled aircraft used in Operation Migration are Light Sport Aircraft and flown by pilots with at least a light sport certificate and sign off for weight shift control.  The pilots are volunteers but some expenses are being paid by the organization.  The FAA sees this as a commercial operation and the FAA failed to create a commercial license for weight shift control aircraft.  OOOOooopppps.  An online petition was started to ask the FAA to grant a waiver to allow completion of the migration flight this year.  The good news is that today the FAA is allowing the migration to continue on a one time basis so not to impair the ability of the young cranes learning the migration route.


Perhaps this will be the impetus required to coax the FAA into completing the Sport Pilot Rule.

Are We Green?

Why yes we are green, and not only on St. Patrick’s day. Flying a weight shift control light sport aircraft is an ecologically sound way to see the country side. The 4 cyldinder 4 cycle Rotax 912 engine uses lead free automotive fuel, not aviation fuel so there are no lead emissions that would accompany a general aviation aircraft. In addition, automotive fuel contains a certain percentage of ethanol part of the year so again lower emissions. Air Creation’s Tanarg burns about 2.5 gallons/hr., combined with a hands off cruising speed between 65-70 results in about 40 miles to the gallon, better than most cars.

Unlike 4 wheel drive vehicles, ATVs, and dirt bikes, a weight shift control aircraft never touches the ground eliminating the erosion problems associated with wheeled vehicles or foot traffic. These highly maneuverable aircraft are intended primarily for recreation but have found many other uses such as migration training of endangered bird species.