09 July 2004

View from an ultralight

Brad Messer

Brad Messer is a popular talk show host on radio station KTSA (550 kHz AM) in San Antonio, Texas. When he's not on the air or maintaining his web site, Messer flies a Quicksilver "MX Super" limited-production aerobatic ultralight.

Messer writes, "I qualified as an ultralight pilot in San Antonio in 1984. A few years later I got a 'real' pilot's license and did some general aviation flying, but much prefer the fun of an open-cockpit ultralight....[The Quicksilver] stalls around 30 mph, cruises around 55, stressed +9 and -6 Gs, [and is powered by a] 55 horsepower Hirth two-stroke engine. It's rated for all standard aerobatic maneuvers except tail slide (will loop, spin, snap roll, fly upside down, etc.) My partner in this ultralight is Jim Smith of Universal City, an expert pilot and mechanical genius. One of us should be, y'know?"

For a photograph of Messer in the Quicksilver and more aerials, including one looking straight down during a dive, visit www.bradmesser.com/J2_BonusPages/ultralightPage.html. The site includes some good ultralight links.

Ultralight aircraft provide an ideal platform for various amateur science projects, including aerial photography of terrain features, air pollution and clouds.