The T-Lite, with the purpose built
powered soaring wing the Core, is powered by the incredibly
fuel efficient 22hp Bailey four stroke engine.
The Bailey engine is purpose built
for light weight soaring craft. It is extremely quiet
and only weighs in at 43 lbs (19.5 kg). The
fuel burn is extremely low (around 2.5 litres or .66 gallons
per hour).
The idea behind these light weight soaring
trikes originally was to use the power to climb to an altitude
where a thermal could be found. The motor would then be
shut down and the pilot could fly cross country using thermal
lift or even soar around the local field. Although pilo's
use these little trikes for soaring, many
others are simply using them as a fun low cost
single seater trike. And fun to fly they are!
Simplicity is the key with this design.
The Airborne T-Lite can be pulled down in minutes and the
trike base folded up to fit in the boot of a reasonable
size car. The wing is carried on the roof racks and is not
much heavier than a standard hang glider. It isn't just
a hang glider though, the Core wing is built to handle the
design loads and Airborne has done some stringent load
testing to ensure the structural integrity of the design.
The new CORE wing designed is specifically
for Nanolight trikes and looks impressive. The top sail
is made from mylar PX cloth which makes it easy to wipe
clean. The wing has undergone extensive load testing and
is rated as per the specifications. Although designed for
the Airborne T-Lite soaring base the Core will be available
to homebuilders and other manufacturers.
The T-Lite base is engineered to the usual
Airborne standard. The fuel tank is removable so the pilot
can carry it to a fuel station if necessary. A neat fuel
line connecter allows the user to disconnect the fuel tank
in seconds with the push of a button.
The removable upholstered seat on the T-Lite
is comfortable enough for those longer duration flights.
The mast on the T-Lite uses a T Bar to
lock it into place. The T Bar is released to allow the mast
to come forward so the wing can be attached to the base.
This makes a ssembling the T-Lite easy compared to many
other designs.
Flying the T-Lite is pure fun right from
take off. Hang glider pilots will appreciate the HG like
handling.The climb rate with the 22 HP Bailey four stroke
is impressive, and the engine has a typical low four stroke
tone to it, not too noisy. Once aloft and in suitable lift
the engine can be cut. Soaring pilot's will find the Core
wing co-ordinates nicely in thermals. It should the design
is an adaption of one of Airbornes most populat hang gliders,
the Sting 3-168.
Microlight pilots will love the light handling
of the T-Lite/Core. The simplicity in the transportabilty
and the set up. The T-Lite base will fit into the back of
a station wagon and some larger trucks. Packed up the trike
base dimensions are: Width 520cm x Lemgth 1240 cm x height 680cm.
Microlight pilots will also be impressed with the
T-Lites cross country abilty under power. It's not as fast
as our two seater range, this is slow easy no stress flying
and who needs to be in a hurry anyway?
So the bottom line is whether you are a
hang glider pilot looking for the thrill and challenge of
thermal flying or a trike or microlight pilot looking for
a low cost, easy to store single seater microlight then
the T-Lite/Core combination may be just what you are looking
for.
This video shows the quick assembly of the T-Lite
Features
Click here to go to T-LITE gallery (shows larger images).
The Bailey Aviation 4 stroke engine
was born from a simple idea; a compact, lightweight
engine to revolutionise the world of paramotors, powered
hang gliders, microlights and ultralights. Providing
a real alternative to the run-of-the-mill 2 strokes
that have dominated the industry for the past 20 years
or more.
The T-Lite uses the the 4V-200 (200cc 4 valve / 22HP)
engine. Note the engine does have electric start.
IThe T-Lite
base not only looks good it is engineered to allow for
easy storage and transport without the need for a trailer.
It also has a mast complete with safety wire to that
hinges forward to allow for easy attachmenbt of the
Core wing.
The 10 litre
fuel tank can be easily removed in seconds with no messy
fuel leakes to deal with. Simply push the button on
the detachachable fuel line connection and pull the
tank out from behind the seat.
The Upholstered
seat is easily removed for the pack-up and is very comfortable
even after hours of fun flying
Many pilots ask about storage. The idea
of taking a T-Lite on a flying camping expedition
has caught the imagination of a few of our customers.
There is plenty of storage room behind the seat for
a bit of camping gear so let the imagination go wild.
There is also the option to add a parachute behind
the pilot on top of the seat.
The simplest
way to add instruments is to use the Braunger hang gliding
instument. This does altitude, airspeed and has a variometer
with audio showing rate of climb and descent. Some pilots
already have these so this will be an option. A hour
meter is an included instrument.
The propeller is carbon fibre two blade
and provides smooth and balanced thrust for the Bailey
engine. Note also that the wheels on the T-Lite are
of a diameter that will still allow fairly rough paddock
operation.
Standard features
* Bailey 22HP Four Stroke Quick Release
Engine
* 10 Litre Fuel Tank with Quick Release Fuel Line
* Electric Start
* Stainless Steel Exhaust
* 2 Blade Carbon Fibre Propeller
* Hour Meter, HAll Air Speed Indicator
* Upholstered removable seat
* Foot Throttle Control
* Fully upholstered custom seating
* Full Mylar Top Surface CORE Wing
* Airborne Engineering
* Certified to Lite Sport or Part 103
* Can be dissasembled for transport by motor vehicle