Which
Is Best?
This
comes down to personal choice and there are those who prefer the
flex wings, seeing them as the motorcycles of the sky. Flex wings
have the advantage of being cheaper to buy and being smaller are
easier to store and transport by trailer. Others prefer the idea
of a real aeroplane and opt for the 3-axis machines. These machines
come in both open and closed cockpit forms but are usually a little
more expensive and there are fewer available second hand compared
with flex wings. However some types can still be trailered after
folding or removing the wings.
Engine
Types
When
it comes to power plants this usually involves a choice between
2-stroke or 4-stroke piston engines, (although the BMAA project
registration document does mention diesel, rotary and jet types!)
2-stroke engines are cheaper to buy initially and are lighter in
weight, but require more maintenance, use more fuel, need expensive
2-stroke oil and are less reliable. If you fly a lot then the extra
cost involved in the purchase of a 4-stroke will be recovered with
cash to spare over the life of the engine, due to savings in maintenance
and fuel. It is for this reason, together with the increased reliability
that flying schools tend to opt for 4-strokes. On the other hand
if you fly only a little then you will not recover the extra cost.
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