“Look at that groundspeed!” I exclaimed, pointing at the Garmin EFIS. “Our TAS is nearly 125 knots, which means we’ve got a 60 knot headwind straight on the spinner!” “Can you imagine being up here in a traditional microlight?” asked the Sting’s owner, John Palmer. “No, because not only would I be scared out of my mind at the prospect of having to land, but right now we’d practically be going backwards!” I said. I’ve written before about just how capable and potent the new breed of light sport microlights is, and several of the aircraft I’ve tested recently are not only comparable to traditional GA types, but are demonstrably superior. An excellent representative of this new breed of speedy sport planes is the Sting S4, from Czech airframer TL Ultralights. As I wait at Saltby for John to arrive in the Sting, I’m aware that it’s extremely windy, and that if I’d told someone that I was planning on flying a microlight in such conditions, they’d probably think I was mad—or suicidal.
Flight Review: The Sleek Sting S4
So Let's Fly
Having hurriedly strapped myself down with the excellent four-point harness (the seats are fixed, although the rudder pedals adjust) we start up, line up and go. With around 13 gallons of fuel and no baggage, our mass is quite close to the 1320-pound max takeoff weight. But we use less than 10% of the 3600-foot runway before I rotate at 50 knots and the Sting springs off the runway. It settles into a 65-knot climb with the VSI indicating just over 1000 fpm.(Keith Wilson photo)
(Keith Wilson photo)
(Keith Wilson photo)
(Keith Wilson photo)
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(Keith Wilson photo)