PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Thoughts on Microlights!!
View Single Post
Old 19th April 2004 | 23:27
  #32 (permalink)  
Pilotage
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: UK
Raven-X

I've had one for a few years, and am very happy with it.

It's a basic but useable trike, the wing is excellent in more turbulent conditions, and it will trim to a decent speed.

The standard Raven-X comes with a 447, which is fine solo but a little underpowered 2-up for cruising. (That said, I had a happy week trundling around the Hebrides with a backseat pax in mine). Having said that I've just re-engined mine with a twin carb 503 which is in flight testing at the moment but looking very promising; giving me a climb of around 600fpm (up from about 350fpm at MTOW before), using about half of our 400m runway, and a cruise around 55mph (compared to the 45mph I was getting before). Basically I'm quite happy with it. And mine is a 1987 aeroplane with a sail which is still nearly as good as new.

The downsides of the Raven are that the parts are a bit expensive and slow in coming (but on the other hand, I don't get through many), the wing is a bit of a bu66er to shift on your own at 56kg, and if you've learned in something else you really need a couple of hours with an instructor - it's quite different to the standard flying school Quantums and Blades to handle.

Fuel capacity is a little limited (25 litres, burns about 13/hr with a 447) unless you've got the 50 litre long range fuel tank mod, which in itself is less than user friendly - but it works and you get used to it quickly enough. Also if you are buying second hand, try and get a trailer and intercom / helmets - you often can, and getting those with the aeroplane will save you quite a lot (it did me ;-) ).

But, I'm very happy with my Raven X and not about to sell it.

P
Pilotage is offline