The EGO Trike is designed and built in the Czech Republic by
Miloslav Novotný of Ultralight Design. Last year I saw a video of the electric
version of the trike, did some research and found the electric version doesn't
yet have adequate duration capabilities for my interests. In September I went to
the Czech Republic and test flew the trike, then bought a slightly used ATOS VR
with EGO Trike from an Austrian pilot who did not have a hangar. I had A.I.R.
install air brakes on the glider. The trike and wing finally arrived in the US
in May. I took delivery in Colorado and brought it home to Bend, Oregon.
A friend in Boulder, David Levin, bought the trike I test flew and it was
delivered the same time as mine. We are the first two US customers of the EGO
Trike, plus the trike the distributors have. David Levin is also a former Hot
Air Balloon World Champion and has been my co-pilot in three World
Championships, but until recently he was not a hang glider pilot. In preparation
for flying the trike, he took lots of lessons at Wallaby earlier this year and
soloed a bunch of times, as well as doing trike lessons now in a conventional
'flying pig'. He may do his first flights in the EGO Trike this coming week.
Last Monday, I set up my trike in its new hangar at Bend Airport. On Tuesday, I
began flying. In the first three days I got about 8 hours of airtime, including
making some turns in thermals. The trike will take a little getting used to. Not
only is the seated position new for me, but so is the rigid wing. The good news
is the EGO Trike is a delight to fly, very easy, although I haven't yet been out
in any rowdy rock n roll. It's soon to come, as I edge into the more active part
of the day.
Here are links to photos and info about about two days of flying the trike:
Also, at the main page for my photos (http://balloonbill.smugmug.com/)
there are many galleries of hang gliding at Pine Mountain. The newest galleries
are at the bottom of the page.
