Flight Review of the Thruster T300

OzChris · Oct 19, 2008

There are several different models in the Thruster Family - Here are my thoughts on the Thruster T300:

“The Thruster is one of those aircraft that I have heard very little positive comments about....mind you, it's usually from pilots who have never actually flown a Thruster.

So when it came to having to fly one, I was feeling somewhat hesitant, to say the least!

But, not being shy of meeting a challenge, I gave it a go...

First impressions was:

"hhhmmmm, is this safe?"

I was assured by the CFI that owned the T300 that I was about to test fly, that it most certainly was!

Getting into the Thruster was one of the hardest things about the whole day! However, once I was in there, it wasn't too bad - a little cramped in the leg area perhaps, but then I am 6'1" and my legs are a bit long!! Think of a monkey...lol

I found the instrument panel extremely simplistic, but then all the necessary instruments were there....I think!

This Thruster was easy to start, as it was an electric start, but of course the owner wanted to show me the pull-start system...so after 3 pulls the Rotax 2 stroke 582 liquid cooled engine burst into life! It was the first 2 stroke that I have flown, so the RPM did give me a slight fright - it idles at 2000rpm. But once I got used to that, and put my headset on, it didn't seem so odd. These engines need to be warm before take-off, so 5-8 minutes of warming is mandatory!

After the engine was warm enough I headed out toward the runway...this is a tail wheel aircraft, so getting used to the amount of power needed to get this thing moving and to turn the tail is surprising - but quickly becomes familiar. For more information on the tail wheel experience see my post 'Tail wheel endorsement' HERE

Once lined up, I pushed the throttle lever fully forward, which seemed an awfully long way, until it stopped at around 6500rpm and a fair bit of power! The Thruster moved VERY quickly forward, in no time reaching 40 kt, where I gently but firmly pulled back on the central control stick. The Thruster jumped into the air and accelerated quickly to 50 kt and maintained around 500 ft/min with 2 up and half fuel (25 odd lts). At 500' I pulled the power back to 5800 rpm, and was able to maintain 500' easily at that setting. We were cruising at around 55 kt, not fast, but soooo much fun and certainly seemed appropriate for this type.

What surprised me about the Thruster is that it would go where ever you pointed it...in a climb, decent, cruise, it didnt matter where I pointed the nose, thats where it held - no trim needed!

Climbing turns were very simple, but a little concentration not to over bank at these low speeds/high drag and power settings. Straight and level turns required very little aileron inputs, and virtually no rudder, and is surprisingly quick to respond even at these slow speeds...as long as there is no gusts or thermals, this lovely lady was perfectly happy sitting in a 30 degree balanced straight and level turn with virtually no input to hold her there. An amazingly easy and gentle aircraft to fly - and SOOO much fun!! This is what flying is all about!!

Testing out the Thruster T300 in a few stalls, nothing surprising...The power off stall was actually very benign, as was a power on stall - nothing scary here at all!! The main thing to remember when flying the Thruster, or similar rag and tube aircraft, is that when the fan stops the pilot must push the nose forward immediately...otherwise the stall will closely follow! When the fan stops, its like putting the breaks on - so be aware!

The Thruster responds to most (normal) inputs very gently and precisely, so much so that it took me by surprise, as it doesn't look like a graceful flyer to me - but it truly is! In fact the Thruster, in the air, is very docile and rather graceful - she is a pleasure to fly! It was a nice feeling to be cruising so low and slow - I could take everything in, the view, the aircraft, etc. There is no chance of this aircraft getting in front of you in the air - on the ground, now thats another story...but I think that is true of all tail wheel aircraft and not just this type.

The 2 stroke motor needed a little more managing than I was used to with a 4 stroke. They are more prone to over heating on low power/high rpm (decent) settings. So this aircraft is more or less 'driven in' with power on final.

Lining up with the runway on final, I had around 5000 rpm on the dial, which was dragging us in at around 55 kt - perfect for our weight. Smooth and precise all the way down final, this aircraft has no bad vices at all - that is in still or steady wind. If there was some gusts or thermals it would be very different in this low wing loaded aircraft. But on this day there was just a gentle breeze - perfect for this type of flying!

Holding level in the flair, I cut the power and let the Thruster loose some forward energy, which didnt take long with the amount of drag from this aircraft, and drove the mains on just at the right moment. She found her legs on the runway and as the tail came down to meet the runway there was a bit of adverse yaw which was easily controlled with rudder inputs - being careful not to induce a ground loop, just enough to hold her fairly straight.
I was happy to get out after 1.5 hours of flying in her...had a bit of a sore leg from the way it was hitting the side A-frame, but it wasn't too bad. I don't think that I would have wanted to be in there too much longer!

Over-all, this is one fun aircraft. Definitely not a cruiser, more for the simple pleasure and romance of flight...and thats what ultralight flying is all about!

This would have to be one of the most fun aircraft I have ever flown...
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