Aircrafts

RAPTOR AIRCRAFT

National origin Australia

Manufacturer Raptor Aircraft

Designer Peter Muller

Status Under development

Number built None

Unit cost US$130,000 (forecast, 2016)

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.

The aircraft was designed by Australian, Peter Muller, as a fast roomy cross-country VFR aircraft with IFR capabilities. It is initially intended to be sold "at cost". As of May 2016, 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.

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[7]) 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.[8][9] The engine will run on both road diesel and Jet A1 fuel, but if the latter is used, a lubricant additive may be needed. A constant-speed reversible five-bladed pusher propeller will be driven via four kevlar belts providing a 2:1 reduction ratio. Brakes are hydraulic ABS units.

The company makes a point of comparing favorably their aircraft against the Cirrus SR22, which has been the world's best-selling single-engine four-seat aircraft every year since 2004. 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; to date 400 deposits have been taken, raising $800,000. The company does not advertise conventionally; rather it posts regular video bulletins on You Tube 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 and they plan on partnering with someone like Uber. 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."[12]

Specifications

General characteristics