Microlighters

Hi
I read somewhere on this site that the 503 & 582 Aquilla's only had a MTOW of 350Kg's for the 503 and 380Kg's for the 582.
I have been told by Solowings and Aidan that the MTOW on ALL the trikes is 450Kg's.
I am not sure where the rumor started, but its wrong.

Everybody - Have a great weekend flying (For the guys in CT, lets hope this bad weather clears.)

Visit the Solowings web site and see for yourself under the specifications for the aquillas.

See info pasted from web site for 503:

WING SPAN 10,5 meters
EMPTY WEIGHT 160 kg
MAXIMUM PAYLOAD 200 kg
FUEL CAPACITY 50 litres
FUEL RATING 95 / 97 octane

Maybe the website is not updated, or wrong, but this is the published info available. Has send them a mail regarding the MTOW of my Windlass and has not yet receive any responded to date.

Love my Windlass 503 and think it is great machine, but would like to know what the "Real" MTOW is.

Hi trikenut

Don't think it's a rumour, after my accident with the Aspect we found out the trike was not 450kg MAUW, but only 350kg.

It seems a lot of people have been scrambling to find out the genuine MAUW of their trikes after my accident, and have all found that their locally manufactured trikes are not rated 450kg, but less. Even my instructor thought his windlass was 450kg, only to find out that it isn't. The only locally manufactured trike that we have found to be a genuine 450kg rated trike is the RAPTOR.

Before you jump to conclutions and make a statement about someone starting a rumour please have your facts correct.

Overloading can and will kill you.

Is the fuel load i.e 50 litres for an Aquilla, included in the payload of 200kg? If not then there is no way I can fly two up!

So what is it now? Will a standard Windlass handle two passangers of average 85kg each? Including wide tyres, 50l of fuel ect.

Before we enter into a gossiping contest, let us give Solo Wings a chance to give us the correct MTOW`s.

Will contatct them today and forward the reply to the forum.

coastwise wrote: The only locally manufactured trike that we have found to be a genuine 450kg rated trike is the RAPTOR.

Before you jump to conclutions and make a statement about someone starting a rumour please have your facts correct.

Overloading can and will kill you.

Raptor is no longer in production...!

Aerotrike Cobra is (Springs - Gauteng) is rated to 450kg.

Safe Flying

Aviate Products was still in production late 2007. Provided me with a price for a trike. A friend fly a 582 Raptor and he recently purchased some spares. Their website was updated in 2007 with the latest service bulletin issued late 2007.

Would like to know whether they ceased production. Raptor is a good trike

Manfred will supply spares....but will not build a new trike. No more new Raptors unfortunately...not good for the industry....

Also as per CAA - Andre Swanpoel Manfred has not renewed his Manufacturing status. I had a problem with this because he installed a motor I purchased from him and CAA would not allow me to have him sign it out as he was no longer licenced...!

Not good news - competition keep prices in controle. Raptor is a good trike.

He told me he could'nt be bothered with CAA anymore and is finished spending all his time producing paper trails and standing at the CAA and having no time to do the critical stuff.

Better off building kits for guys.

Sadly, explains the lack of new local developement.

Like at Iscor.You need two tons of paper to produce one ton of steel!

coastwise wrote:Hi trikenut

Don't think it's a rumour, after my accident with the Aspect we found out the trike was not 450kg MAUW, but only 350kg.

It seems a lot of people have been scrambling to find out the genuine MAUW of their trikes after my accident, and have all found that their locally manufactured trikes are not rated 450kg, but less. Even my instructor thought his windlass was 450kg, only to find out that it isn't. The only locally manufactured trike that we have found to be a genuine 450kg rated trike is the RAPTOR.
Before you jump to conclutions and make a statement about someone starting a rumour please have your facts correct.

Overloading can and will kill you.

Give a bit more info on that statement. What do you mean with a genuine 450 kg rated trike? My Aquilla is locally produced, and the specifications state the MTOW as 450 kgs.

Regards,
Arnulf

Arnulf,

Visit the Solo Wings website, you are in for a shock as far as the 503 & 582 are concerned? The website is public published info and that states something different from the general accepted assumptions. I would like Solo Wings to respond and will make my own assumptions. Do you have a document stating your trike is rated 450kg ?

I have not yet received any reply from Solo Wings regarding my enquiry. Will give them time till Thursday and then phone them.

Carel

Hi Carel,

I see what you mean. On the 503 and 582 spec I could not find any MAUW stated, Only empty weight, and max payload.
The empty weight is only an indication, as this will change according to the options that are included, and that is different for each individual trike. No maximum for the empty weight is stated.
Payload is the load you carry excluding fuel. It would be wrong to assume that max payload can be carried with full fuel. From the info I found on the Solowings website I can not establish the MAUW for the Aquilla 503 and 582.
Only the MAUW for the 912 spec is given as 450 kg. This is the version I own, and the documentation states the MAUW as 450 kg.
I aggree that Solowings should revise their website.

Strictly speaking, a Pilot Operating Handbook should be with every aircraft. In the POH all the specs for the particular aircraft are stated. From a legality point it is very important to have an up to date POH. If the sh?t hits the fan, the figures on the website and sales brochure will be of no relevance.

Regards,
Arnulf