582 VS 503

[Yank in SA]

Newbie question.
I was looking at the specs. for the 582 and 503 on solowings website. I am curious as there seems to be little difference. The payload is the same, the litre per hour is the same, some difference in climb rate. Is there a difference in the actual trike?
Just curious what the real world differences are?
Thanks !!!

[John Young]

Just curious what the real world differences are?

The size of your boep (stomach), and

The altitude of your airfield.

Regards
John ZU-CIB

PS: I fly a 582 and my airfield is only 2 500' AMSL

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Just curious what the real world differences are?

The size of your boep (stomach), and

The altitude of your airfield.

Regards
John ZU-CIB

PS: I fly a 582 and my airfield is only 2 500' AMSL

JY
What does that say about the Boep

[John Young]

JY
What does that say about the Boep

It says

No SH#T - the truth is -

On a given day recognising ordinary DA, you might need 45hp to lift a trike off the runway.

On the 503, that leaves 5hp but on a 582, you are left with 20hp to climb.

Power is pitch - "the wing determines cruise speed". The motor "determines the potential rate of climb".

Ask any knowledgeable 503 trike owner if I can borrow his 503 and take my large brother to the Dragon Peaks - answer

Regards
John ZU-CIB

[ZU-CDW - Shark]

hi Yank,

I trained in an an Aquila 582 on the highveld-5420 ft agl.
I then only could afford a very low hr clean and new model 503. I have flown it at the coast and there it performs like a 582 at 5420ft agl. If you fly at altitude with a heavy trike / old wing, then you would want more horsepower.
It all depends on your specific requirements.
Power is cool thaugh and you can save on the fuel bill in the long run.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

[
Ask any knowledgeable 503 trike owner if I can borrow his 503 and take my large brother to the Dragon Peaks - answer

That's nice. blame your Boet....

[Morph]

climb, climb and climb.

50 horses are great at sea level, where you don't want to do much dual long distance flying over high mountains and stuff. Normal cabbage patch stuff with a 503 dual is fine. A 582 increases your ability to climb higher faster and with heavier weight. It doesn't do much for speed and that's governed by the wing design

However allways go for the best you can get for your buck. If you have the option for either, go bigger.

[Yank in SA]

Thanks for all the info. Most of the flying will be done near Bloemfonteing, flying low and slow with 2 people most of the time watching and counting game.
I can see how the larger engine would carry 2 better and probably give you better fuel economy. I am still confused why the 582 has a higher stall speed, i assume with they same wing. Is this because the engine is heavier?
Thanks guys!!!!

[RudiGreyling]

Ditto on what most said,

some other consideration is that in a 503 you learn to fly the airplane, plan ahead, know the planes limitations, not overdo it. My first 500 hours in 503 doing x-countries and even Dragons peaks is valuable experience that I think people that jump straight into the higher horsepower planes never get. The type that if any problems arise just hit the throttle to get out of it. In 503 you should have anticipated problems before it occurs.

503s is a simpler motor and easier to maintain, and generally lasts also longer than 582s due to no water, no radiator, no fuel mixer, no crank issues.

So a 503 for a first airplane to build your confidence, Learn to FLY for real outside the circuit, buggering around the patch, or single-up long xcountries, learning how to maintain your first Rotax motor is a perfect little motor.

Trikes fitted with 503s are also much cheaper 2nd hand, so if you unsure if this is for you then it makes sense not to invest too much up front, while you still LEARN to fly outside the circuit.

Look at you needs and mission and chose your powerplant.

Regards
Rudi

[Yank in SA]

Thanks Rudi!
Those are all very good point since i am a newbie. Thanks for taking the time to help me out.
Will

[Hot Stuff]

Very wise words Rudi

[Koevoet]

Thanks Rudi

Was also looking for a trike to do my training onat the coast.

Think I found my answer.

[Morph]

I am still confused why the 582 has a higher stall speed, i assume with they same wing. Is this because the engine is heavier?

Yes, higher stall speed is negative, not a positive thing. Extra weight will mean the plane will stall quicker as the speed drops. Assume you are flying at 50mph and the stall speed of the 582 is 40mph, you only have a window of 10 mph to play in whereas the 503 gives you a stall of 35mph, a window of 15mph. You want to be a minimum of 1.5 times faster than stall on approach, takeoff etc

If you want to fly low and slow, you need a lower stall speed, a bigger wing will give you this, at the cost of cruising speed. Lowering the weight will also lower the stall speed

[Morph]

Thanks Rudi

Was also looking for a trike to do my training onat the coast.

Think I found my answer.

There are a number of training schools, Johan Froneman (082 457 9509) at Saldanha, Louis Van Wyk (0219753891) at Fisantekraal. They all have their own trikes. Start now, why wait

[Yank in SA]

Thanks Morph.
Do you know of a site that i can find the price for new wings? The statistics?
Thanks again