Raptor vs Aquilla

[Beefmaster]

Hi guys,

What are the major diffrerences between the Raptor and Aquilla trikes? I did my licence on an Aquilla (and some Windlass), but can get a Raptor at a reasoable price. Been told it 'flies heavy', lets hear from anyone who has flown both!


Thanks chaps

[Wargames]

What wing is on the raptor? A trike only flies according the characteristics of the wing that is on the trike. An Aquilla flies like an aquilla only because of the aquilla wing. Put that same aquilla wing on the raptor, and it will fly like the aquilla.

[Loco]

I would love to tag along on this topic

I've heard some very experienced (green ) pilots say that they'll only fly a raptor if they have to hehe

If I'm not mistaken this comment was based on the stalling/handling characteristcs of the raptor at slow speeds...

Then I also heard people comment that the raptor is built much more solidly than the aquilla - is the empty weight therefore more on the raptors than the aquillas?

And finally I've heard that people complain about the (potential) spares availability that might become a problem on the raptors since they don't make them anymore, is this really something to be concerned about?

Cheers
Ant

[airbender2]

Guys i,ll give you a chance come and fly my raptor for free you are welcome mine have a 582 blue top with a new jenja 17squere wing aerofoil down tubes etc come, fly to my farm kupala game ranch 3nm south of roodekopjies dam you wont miss the runway it,s a copy of freeway haha the raptor fly nicer then the aquillas its more stable and have a much better glide and slow stall and is much faster butt come and fly mine and you will see, ,,once you go raptor you will never go home hahaha

[Bugwar]

I flew an Aquila for a couple of years and have been flying a Raptor for about 3 years. Both have their pro's and cons but I can honestly recommend any one of the two. If I have a choice of what to buy, I will choose the plane in the best condition at the best price.
You will always find someone who had a bad experience with any type of plane and always find someone who swears by a specific type.

Send me a pm if you need a more detailed comparison.

All the best with your choice

[Bundy]

To a certain extent I agree with Wargames above. One thing I've learnt very quickly is that it all depends on the specific setup. I have flown 3 different Aquilla's all with the same engine/wingsize/type and they ALL FLEW DIFFERENTLY!

I have never piloted a Raptor but there are pro's and cons to both as Paul mentions.

The Raptor is very uncomfortable at the back for a passenger I find....but it is definately more stable in flight. They land very differently to an Aquilla too. Most of the pilots I know actually fly them onto the deck so I'm not sure about the comment above on the "gliding characteristics" being superior? Like I said... I have yet to fly one myself.

I find the Raptor a far stronger undercarriage than the Aquilla, especially the axle design. Nice strong axles with proper nut/split pins....MUCH better than the Aquilla's bolt setup which has been known to fail!

They can take a good "kaplats" landing! (ne Paul?? )

I think Bugwar said it best....."choose the plane in the best condition at the best price". Both are entry level machines and at the end of the day there is not much between them in my opinion.

Bottom line...go fly before you buy!

Good Luck.

[Beefmaster]

Thanks so far guys, advice seems good! Anthony asked about empty weight on the raptor being higher? This will make some difference to me as well, since i'm a heavyweight myself! (125kg) If the raptor is far heavier than the aquilla, this would mean only midgets can fly with me!

[pietmeyer]

I own a Raptor with a 17sqr Raptor wing. Love my trike. I have flown Aquilla's and am currently flying with a group consisting of 2 Aquilla and 3 Raptors.
The are basically the same but all the others have 16sqr wings. I can therefore take heavier passangers

I find my Raptor glide ratio better and more stable but with the wing definitely a more "heavier" feel on the bar to turn etc. Would fly any of these two any day. Which ever one you buy, you cannot go wrong. Enjoy the flying and as mentioned above. Fly and then decide.

As for repairs and parts of the Raptor, Ihave had no problems. Manfred is at Tedderfield and parts are easily available. He does not make new trike anymore but will have any spares and parts available.

Cheers and happy flying

[wiskeyfoxtrot]

I also fly the raptor, and can say that she is heavier than the others and that the wing needs more input and is heavier than the Aquillas but she flys like a dream. She also seems to handle " bumps " better.The Raptor doesnt want to land and tends to hang in the air. You have to make her go down to earth or she will stay up all day ! The other trikes tend to descend very quickly with "bar in".

Spares are no a problem as Piet has already said.

Fly both and pick the one that suits your weight and flying style ( but the Raptor is built strong - take my word for it ! )

Later

[Madman]

Heya

I have flown both,as said before..the Raptor is heavy in the turns and does not land as quick as an Aquilla.

I fly an Aquilla 1 wing which is a 14 compared to the 17 of the Raptor.So she turns fast and easy compared to the Raptor slow and heavy.

Hahaha...the Raptor's make awesome training trikes..ask Jo,when I was training..I never landed...I arrived

It is all about what you want...but today,it is about the right trike at the right price...whether it be Aquilla or Raptor.

Love Aquilla

[topflight]

I can second what has been posted that the Raptor has a more "heavy" feeling wing, but it feels more stable in the air than the Aquilla.

It is a lovely aircraft to fly and I enjoyed doing my training on one.

The only way of finding out if you will like the trike is to go and test fly it with the owner.

[Joninmoz]

Hi Guys,

I did all my training on the Aquilla and my first trike was an Aquilla with a 503 motor. I enjoyed flying the Aquilla but my wing was very sensitive and I seem to have felt any turbulance long before anyone else.

Since 2006 I have been flying a Raptor with a 17 sq ft wing and just love it. It is very stable and although heavier than the Aquilla in the role, it is not that much of a hassel once you are used to it. I have found the Raptor easier to land as well.

The other lekker thing about the Raptor - mine has an 85l tank and disc brakes, which are not options for the Aquilla.

Go fly them both I say and then decide. For me - I'll stick to my Raptor!

[Beefmaster]

Geez this is interesting!! Keep em coming guys! Well gonna phone the guy now and hear what he says. Might be able to go test fly it in a month or so No one has said anything about cruise speed?? @pietmeyer you say you guys fly with a few aquillas? Are they flying circles to allow you time to catch up?

[Bugwar]

Geez this is interesting!! Keep em coming guys! Well gonna phone the guy now and hear what he says. Might be able to go test fly it in a month or so No one has said anything about cruise speed?? @pietmeyer you say you guys fly with a few aquillas? Are they flying circles to allow you time to catch up?

Nope, the Aquillas usually hangs smack bang in my prop wash......

[Beefmaster]

Hahaha!! So cruise speeds similar to aquilla then?