A weighty matter

[ROB. THOMASSON]

Or in this case 50kgs! I have an Escapade with an UL260I in it over here in the UK. The plane when built 10 years ago was certified to the then microlight regs of 450kg but had the upgrades to the incoming 500kg regs. The snag is TLAC, the type certificate holder won't release the calculations to allow me to go to 499kg. If I had a copy I could do this as a modification. TLAC have a reputation of being "unhelpful" This means I effectively have a single seater with a spare seat for a map! Anyone got access to the calculations by any chance? Doing them from scratch would be beyond me.

[SheepdogRD]

Have you contacted Just Aircraft for advice? Talk to Troy, if possible.

[ROB. THOMASSON]

Yes They said the details were with Reality aircraft who passed hem on to TLAC when the guy died

[SheepdogRD]

Are there other Escapades that are certificated to 499kg? Can you find an owner who could request the calculations from their airplane's certification?

Does TLAC want you to buy something from them? Are they afraid releasing the calculations will cost them business? Or are they just being uncooperative because that's how they operate??

[ROB. THOMASSON]

There's a couple at 499 and a friend is going to have a sneaky measure at the weekend as I gather the diameter of the tubes will define it. The boss of TLAC is self made man, in love with his own creator. I asked for some Oratex tape from them as they are the agents. After 4 days I got a reply that they'd found some at the back of the workshop! I wanted some covers for the bungees as mine were worn. They wanted £175 around $220. I sourced some locally for £20! All my contacts suck their teeth if you mention TLAC

[SheepdogRD]

That's a shame. It's the opposite with Just Aircraft and their planes.

I know almost nothing about your cert process. Does the LAA have any helpful data you can access?

[ROB. THOMASSON]

We are working on that. The BMAA who she's registered with at the moment as she's a microlight say TLAC have the design rights and so they can't let me have them. If anyone on here could measure the diameter of the undercarriage tubes on a current 500kg or 600 kg one that would be great .

[SheepdogRD]

Is the UK version of the Escapade the same as the US version?

[ROB. THOMASSON]

There are slight variations in build standard and we can't just say the Americans are fine sadly

[ROB. THOMASSON]

Looks like we are sorted. The difference is in the axle diameter at 23mm rahter than 19 mm for the 450 kg version

[SheepdogRD]

Glad you got that sorted out. Good luck dealing with TLAC. Does TLAC stand for "That Looks About Correct"?

[ROB. THOMASSON]

One Wag says it stands for The lobotomised aircraft company! They wouldn't last 10 minutes in the USA! I have yet to find anyone who has a good word to say for them.