The Drifter is one of those aircraft that people either love or hate. It isn't for the faint hearted, but rather for the true ultralight aviation enthusiast and the adventurous. I have heard the Drifter affectionately called 'a seat on a broomstick'...Among other like names. The truth is, it is a genuine rag and tube 'back to basics' ultralight aircraft. What you see is what you get - not much to hide on this aircraft!
This review is written from the passengers point of view, as I was in the rear seat on this ride. The aircraft was a dual controlled Drifter, so I was able to have some hands on flying as well. The Drifter is a high wing, pod and boom aircraft, which is wire braced (top and bottom) for great strength and durability. The Drifter can be powered by a number of different power plants, from a Rotax 503 two stroke right through to a Rotax 912 80 hp four stroke engine.
This is the first time I had been in a 'pusher aircraft' (rear facing prop behind pilot) and it was a little different, not a great deal, but was definitely different. At first site and inspection of the Drifter, I couldn't help but wonder if it was going to fall apart in flight...But of course, thats just me being a baby (as my pilot pointed out to me). This aircraft is very strong and durable and more than capable! The passenger gets to sit under the shade of the wing, and on the day that I was flying, that was appreciated. The pilot doesn't get the shade of the wing, however, what a view! The pilot sits out front with NOTHING in the way - its just amazing sitting out front like that with uninhibited views (slip-slop-slap or you will get sun-burnt!).
I settled into the rear seat, where there is JUST enough room for your feet, and it is a real awkward feeling...Like something is missing (I guess its the doors and floor). I got the feeling that I was sitting ON this aircraft, rather than sitting IN it. At first, I really did not like the feeling and becoming slightly more used to it after a few times up. Strapped into the 4 point harness, I couldn't help but feel a little vulnerable strapped to this beast. Sitting right behind my seat was the fuel tank and above that behind my head was the Rotax 503 2 stroke engine, while above me was the wing...For an 'open aircraft' I sure was feeling a little claustrophobic!
The engine was a pull-start, so after my trusted pilot started the engine (which in itself was a little scary), he jumped up front into his seat blocking my view completely, unless I count staring at the back of his head as a view, to which I don't think it was much! NOW I really started to feel claustrophobic...While I was coming to terms with my new found phobia, we started taxiing along the patchy grass taxi-way (if you could call it that). I was genuinely unimpressed with the ride in taxi - I felt EVERY bump, every clump of grass, it was torture! This is not a very comfortable aircraft to taxi in, let me tell you! At this stage, I couldn't help but think this was a rather clumsy aircraft...That was, until we got this bird into the sky where she really comes into her own! This aircraft has a center control stick between your legs and is light on the controls, although it does have a slight heavy feel when banking the aircraft rapidly.
Take off is really a non-event, apart from the screaming 2 stroke strapped behind my head. Full power is applied, the speed very quickly comes up, with a light forward push on the stick the tail is flying after which gentle back pressure is applied at around 40-45kts to get this bird airborne. In very little distance at all (probably 50-100m) we were off the ground - like most two stoke driven ultralights, the Drifter is very quick off the starting block! As we separated more and more from the rough strip below, my claustrophobia seemed to diminish (thank God, as the therapy would have been expensive!). Once we were airborne, I started to realize why so many others who have experienced this type of flying get addicted to it - It was like nothing else I had experienced. Even though I still didn't like my forward view of the back of my pilots head, there was plenty to see out to the sides and an amazing sensation and view when looking down, after all, that is where the view is! The uninhibited views to the ground are just breathtaking...This would be an excellent platform for some awesome photography.
On the day that I went up in the Drifter, the air was calm and the sky clear - the Drifter clung to the air as though it was sliding on silk. Apart from the screaming engine and the roaring wind past my visor, it was very smooth flying. This is one of those aircraft where you have to wear a visor due to the amount of wind in the cabin area (or lack thereof). I can understand why people refer to the Drifter as a 'seat on a broomstick' now...Because that is exactly what it feels like - a seat connected to a stick! I was pleasantly surprised to feel that the Drifter was strong and responsive in-flight. Turning was similar to the feel of a thruster (or similar rag & tube), except that it 'felt' more balanced to me. I think this feeling of more balanced turns is due the fact that this aircraft is a tandem configuration (passenger sits behind pilot and not side by side), and at all times you are sitting ON the center of the longitudinal axis in the turn, resulting in a feeling of perfect balance while banking. This is because you never actually rise or fall - you sit right in the center, not unlike a motor bike when turning. In any case, it felt great in the turns! The Drifter is very stable and will fly straight and level with 'hands off' in calm conditions. This is truly an easy aircraft to fly and take off and landing is easily mastered.
Like other rag and tube aircraft, the Drifter has a fairly low cruise speed (around 55-60kt) with high RPM, although a little better than the side by side equivalent ultralights due to the narrower fuse area on the Drifter compared, producing less drag - which is why the Drifter is fine with a Rotax 503, while the Thruster 2 seat would struggle on the same power plant. The stall is a non event and quite controllable right though to the actual stall. In the stalls that we attempted, there was a slight tendency for one wing to drop, but in all, was nothing more than a mushy drop and was very quickly picked up with a bit of ruder input. Recovery was standard - apply power and relax back pressure on the stick. Overall, a very predictable aircraft and flying characteristics. Nothing too exciting, but then with a view like this you don't need too much more excitement!
This is a tail wheel aircraft, however is very benign, unlike the 2 seat Thruster, it is a lot more tame and the angle that it sits is far less daunting. Mind you it will bite you in the butt if you don't keep her in-line during the landing run (particularly in a cross wind), but probably nothing like the Thruster can. The landing was a non-event, probably because I couldn't really see out front...But apart from a gentle slight bounce, the Drifter landed on all 3 wheels with ease and pulled up in around 100m or so. Again, the suspension (or lack thereof) is tough on the butt!. Taxi is fairly straight forward and is very responsive with the use of rudder - the prop is only a meter or 2 from the ruder and gets a blast of airflow to produce a very effective and quick tight turn on the ground.
As different as this aircraft is, this is a real joy to fly in (or rather, 'on'). Definitely, for me, a summer flier only, as you really get the full blast of the wind! I certainly would not want to spend more than an hour or so in this aircraft, over which time you would only achieve 55-60nm in nil wind - so, even though it has the capability (with long range tanks), this is not really a cruise/x-country aircraft in my opinion. You could do it, but definitely not in comfort and it would take a very long time to get anywhere. For me, this is a local flier for some amazing views and FUN! After all, thats what this type of ultralight flying is all about - FUN!
For me, I prefer to fly IN the Thruster than ON the Drifter...I'm certainly not saying that the Drifter is to be compared to the Thruster, but rather is a preference thing. The Drifter gets 8 out of 10 from me for this type. It is a very basic flying machine that offers great views - especially for the lucky pilot who sits way out front in the pod and has a wind screen/deflector! One needs to be very careful with items in the cabin area (if you can call it that) because if they get blown back, they will end up in the prop. In the Drifter that I flew in, the taxi (for me) was clumsy and awkward, but the flying is exactly the opposite - its graceful and very stable in the air! If you haven't tried the Drifter before, definitely give it a go...I think you will either love it or hate it, depending on what you like in an aircraft. I think it would be fairly rare to have someone say: "yeah, it was OK"...Funny enough it normally gets the reaction from people of either: "I LOVED IT!!" or "I HATED IT!!" From me it got the "I loved it" reaction, but only in calm and warmer weather - probably why these are so popular in QLD I guess.
If you are thinking of purchasing one, then I would definitely recommend that you spend some time flying one - as it is rather different from most other ultralights that I have flown. Some love those differences, such as sitting ON the aircraft and in the center of the longitudinal axis, etc. while others prefer to be sitting IN an aircraft with a floor and doors (although the pilot does actually sit in a pod, think about the poor ol' passenger). So saying that, I would say, that if you are thinking of buying a Drifter, think about your Passengers - what are they going to prefer? Will they mind sitting behind you, sitting in the wind flow and will they mind the feeling of sitting out on a boom with little more than a small space to place their feet on?
The Drifter is definitely a strong reliable and a great fun aircraft to fly - Fly one and see what you think BEFORE you decide to buy one. For me, the Drifter is a local aircraft (although capable of x-country flights) just as the Thruster and other rag and tube ultralights are. Definitely a fair weather aircraft as well - don't get caught in variable winds on landing, as things will get rather interesting. There are many people who have successfully toured around over long distances in the Drifter, so don't hear me wrong, they are very capable aircraft!
The VNE on the Drifter is around 75kt, the cruise speed is (depending on RPM) around 55-60kt and has a stall speed of approx. 30-31kt. The Drifter uses aluminium tube that is bolted together to produce a very strong aircraft construction. The wings are wire braced and are covered in a Dacron fabric - very strong and durable. To replace the wing covers it will cost around $2,000+ Rate of climb in the Drifter is dependent on several factors of course, however you should expect around 500-750 ft/min.
Wayne Fisher has produced an Australian Kit version of the Drifter - you can build your own Fisher MKI ( 'Drifter Style' aircraft ) very cheaply and efficiently. Both in a one seat and two seat version, including a 'sports version' with the Rotax 912 and extra strengthening. If you search the YouTube videos with 'Wayne Fisher Aerobatics', you will see Wayne doing Aerobatics in his Sports Drifter, as seen below:
Please NOTE: Aerobatics is prohibited in an RA-Aus registered aircraft... The above aircraft is VH (GA) registered - this must not be attempted in a non-certified aircraft under any circumstances!
