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John Keith of P & M Aviation USA was at Sun N Fun 2007
introducing the brand new Quik and Quick GT 450 trikes. While the trikes
may be new to the market the history behind them is not. In 2003 two
British trike manufacturers Pegaus and Manair who have produced over
4,000 trike aircraft, grouped together to form P & M Aviation.
P & M Aviation USA of Cedartown Georgia, owned by Tony
Castillo and John Keith is their U.S. distributor. The two trikes are manufactured in the United Kingdom and imported into the U.S.
They are available with two engine options the Rotax 912 80 HP engine
and the Rotax 912 S, 100 HP engine.
The Quik trike cruises along comfortably at 75 mph
while the Quik GT's cruise is 85. Both aircraft are available as LSA
and ELSA aircraft, with P & M Aviation USA handling all of the paper
work for the aircraft. John Keith indicates training is available for
the P & M line of trikes at their facilities in Georgia.
The Quik series of trikes have a number of very unique
features. The trikes come equipped with an electric in-flight trim
system, which moves the control bar forward allowing the trikes to be
trimmed for various flight envelopes. The system uses a bungee cord, to
tension the system, which can be overridden by the pilot at any time.
The Quik trikes also have a new style of mast that
comes up and then forward allowing for better rear pilot comfort. The
seats have been widened and extended for a more comfortable seating and
to help prevent the rear pilot from interfering with any of the front
seat pilots control.
The trikes also come with dual controls front and rear
with rear training bars available.
The P & M Aviation trikes also come equipped with a
factory designed dual stainless steel exhaust system, which are "whisper
quiet in the air." The substantial engine mount is trouble free and
"built with years of trike flying experience," with virtually no
transfer of vibration back into the airframe.
Fuel capacity is 17 gallons. John indicates that the
trike trimmed up for cruise will use about 2 gallons of fuel and hour.
Currently delivery for new aircraft is 6 to 8 weeks. |
