Raptor Aircraft Raptor

Raptor
Role Homebuilt aircraft
National origin United States/Australia
Manufacturer Raptor Aircraft
Designer Peter Muller
Status Under development
Number built None
Unit cost
US$130,000 (2016 forecast price)

The Raptor is a proposed American pressurized 4/5-seat tricycle single-engined canard-wing homebuilt light aircraft, to be supplied in kit form by Raptor Aircraft of Ball Ground, Georgia.[1][2]

The aircraft was designed by Australian Peter Muller[3][4] as a fast roomy cross-country VFR aircraft with IFR capabilities. It is initially intended to be sold "at cost".[5][6]

As of May 2017, the first full-size Raptor prototype has yet to fly, but radio-controlled scale models were built and successfully flown as part of the design and testing process.[7]

Design and development

The Raptor is a canard design whose main wings have no flaps; and instead of a fuselage-mounted fin and rudder, each main wing has a winglet and rudder. The tricycle landing gear is fully retractable. The aircraft has been designed (following the area rule[8]) using CAD techniques, and is constructed primarily of carbon fibre, glass fibre and epoxy. It is to be powered by an Audi 3.0 TDI car engine, adapted for aviation use.[9][10]

The company makes a point of comparing favourably their aircraft against the Cirrus SR22, which has been the world's best-selling general aviation airplane every year since 2002.[11] Raptor Aircraft claim that its plane, compared to the SR22, will be roomier, with a much higher speed, much lower drag, much better economy, and a much lower purchase price. The kit is intended to be sold for no more than $130,000, with an intention to bring kit prices below $100,000.[6] The Raptor's development is being funded by prospective buyers making a $2,000 deposit, held in escrow. By July 2017 more than 1,000 deposits had been received.[12] The company does not advertise conventionally; rather it posts regular video bulletins on YouTube to illustrate progress to interested parties.

The company proposes that the Raptor will be suitable as a new air taxi and for light cargo services[13] and they plan on partnering with someone like Uber.[13] Also, they propose that a turboprop version will become available in due course. The company claims to be "Changing General Aviation in a Big Way", saying:

"We are offering a completed Raptor 'At Cost' and Open Sourcing the whole program so universities and businesses will be able to have access to the design and make improvements and modifications in the same way that open source works in the software world. We will be opening the parts and airframe construction, support and flight training so companies world-wide can compete for your business thereby keeping availability high and prices low. This will also ensure that there is no single point of failure for parts, airframes or support. This distributed model will eliminate any chance of the Raptor not having support. Much like the internet, the open and distributed nature makes it virtually impossible to destroy. The competition will have a difficult time trying to stop us."[13]

Specifications

Data from the manufacturer[14]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: three-four passengers
  • Length: 22 ft 2 in (6.76 m)
  • Wingspan: 33 ft 9 in (10.29 m)
  • Height: 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)
  • Wing area: 167 sq ft (15.5 m2)
  • Empty weight: 1,800 lb (816 kg)
  • Gross weight: 3,600 lb (1,633 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 124 U.S. gallons (470 L; 103 imp gal) usable
  • Powerplant: 1 × Audi 3.0L TDI V6 turbocharged diesel engine , 300 hp (220 kW)

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 300 kn (345 mph; 556 km/h) at 25,000 feet
  • Stall speed: 65 kn (75 mph; 120 km/h)
  • Range: 3,600 nmi (4,143 mi; 6,667 km)
  • Service ceiling: 27,000 ft (8,200 m)
  • Rate of climb: 2,000 ft/min (10 m/s) solo
  • Wing loading: 21.5 lb/sq ft (105 kg/m2)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Raptor Aircraft Design". raptor-aircraft.com. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  2. ↑ Raptor Aircraft (5 March 2016). "Raptor Turboprop Kit Aircraft Just Announced - Press Release". ireachcontent.com. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  3. ↑ "Raptor Aircraft". angel.co. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  4. ↑ "11: Peter Muller, Raptor Aircraft: I Believe I Can Fly and Build My Own Plane". Studiomouth. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  5. ↑ "Raptor Aircraft Home". raptor-aircraft.com. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Raptor Aircraft FAQ". raptor-aircraft.com. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  7. ↑ Muller, Peter (23 May 2017). "Raptor VLog". Medium.com. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  8. ↑ "Raptor Aircraft Design". raptor-aircraft.com. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  9. ↑ "Raptor Diesel GT is an Audi TDI Powered Personal Aircraft". Fourtitude.com. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  10. ↑ nickjaynes. "Raptor Diesel GT: Audi-Powered Personal Aircraft - Pictures". Sojourn.Press. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  11. ↑ General Aviation Manufacturers Association (January 2008). "2007 General Aviation Statistical Databook & Industry Outlook" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  12. ↑ "Raptor Aircraft Ordering". raptor-aircraft.com. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  13. 1 2 3 "Raptor Aircraft Home". raptor-aircraft.com. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  14. ↑ "Raptor Aircraft Specifications". raptor-aircraft.com. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
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