RAF 2000 report back

[flying-i]

There has been a lot said and discussed about gyros in general and about which gyro to buy on various forums. Many people have sent me a PM with various questions on my RAF purchase, and so now that I have 100 plus hours on the RAF, I feel qualified to give my opinion and not just defend my purchase decision.

After a considerable amount of reading and research I chose the RAF for various reasons but mostly because it has a side by side configuration, but also because of the running costs, the local technical support and because I liked the look of it. . I have flown over 100 hours in a RAF 2000 since April 2009, including my training and flight test.

Firstly all the supposed stability problems due to the absence of a horizontal stabilisor have been an absolute non event. I have flown the aircraft in all sorts of weather conditions and have nothing but confidence in the RAF and have never at any stage felt in danger or at risk due to the aircraft flight charistics. The RAF requires no more input during a flight, than is required by a car on a long straight road. If you want to turn the thing over you will have to work at it and I am sure you will eventually achieve it - similiar to the whip stall scenario with a weight shift trike. All aircraft have a flight envelope - fly within it.

I have taken over 25 passengers ranging from 24kg to 116kg and ranging from 12 years old to 76 years old - nobody screamed or got sick. I have flown from Upington to Saldanha through the middle of the day with relatively strong winds, been around the Cape penunisla 3 times and attended the Vredendal fly in.

To all the people that sent me PM's asking me about the RAF, this post is to answer or to give my opinion.

This side by side fully enclosed gyro is possibly the best value for money within the gyro market place. I do not have leather seats, but I can order them and I do not have a glass dash. For me standard instrumentation together with a reliable fuel flow meter and a Garmin 96C is all that is required.

What I do have, is a proven reliable 4 stroke 2.5 Subaru fuel injected 165 HP powerhouse that purrs like a kitten. The 165HP is available on demand at the touch of the throttle. The cabin is basically wind free and after a small mod to accommodate my stiff ankle I am quite comfortable. The seating is quite upright and after a couple of hours I found my sweet spot. The aircraft comes with doors but I prefer it with the doors off. The RAF also requires a slightly better runway than the rough strips that I got used to with my trike. The pre rotator clutch system is quick and simple and by the time I have made my radio call I am ready to roll.

The RAF is quite heavy and weighs in at 360kg, but at the same time it can lift 340kg, which is just under what a Robbie 44 can lift.. It is a great all round cross country machine with plenty of packing space and the option of adding panniers which I opted for.

I trained with the Mocke's in Upington and with Johan Froneman at Saldanha. Johan is instructor rated and an AP on a number of gyros (ELA, MAGNI and the RAF). I cannot comment on other gyros as I am not rated on them and I think that should be a minimum requirement in order to formulate an opinion.

Servicing and maintenance is easily done by myself and is relatively cheap. I would urge prospective buyers to draw up a comparison for service and maintenance over a 200 hour period (labour, parts and accessibility). You may save a litre or two in the cruise but what are the associated ongoing maintenance costs?

The RAF is happy and easy to fly at 85mph, but easily accelerates to 100mph. Flying at 100mph takes a bit more concentration but once you get the hang of it it becomes second nature. If you want hands off high speed cruising then the RAF is not for you.

If you want hands on exciting flying coupled with manoeuvrability and reliability then gyro's in general are for you. I am very happy with the RAF and suggest prospective buyers do their own research - test fly and ask questions from instructors that are rated on the various aircraft.

Buying and training in the RAF has been an absolute pleasure.

Len Klopper was the first person I called to ask questions about Gyro's and he responded with a demo flight in his Sycamore. Thanks Len for my first flight in a gyro. Perhaps I can return the favour some time?

[peterb]

I think all later model Gyro's are as safe as the pilot that fly's them. If a pilot has done enough hours to become one with his machine and fly's within the envelope of his machine type he can be considered a safe pilot. I also think people that train on a certain Gyro type will probably end up buying a similar gyro. It all comes down to personal taste.
Anyway thats my humble opinion as I dont own a Gyro yet ( but not for long anymore have started with arangements for training )
I hope you enjoy and have many hours of fun.
Fly Safe
Peter

[FlyingDoc]

Flying-i,
Great report back.
Fantastic to hear that you are enjoying the RAF. I have to agree that Side by Side does it for me as well.

I think that there are now enough choices out there that you can find the machine that suits your needs.
Hope you have many great hours in the RAF.
Alan

[gertcoetzee]

Mark-i

Nice report. Must be quite wind-i for you to sit still at your computer for so long, t-i-ping with one finger and all. So when do we see this RAF-i, and does that mean that you are now lost for the microlight commun-i-ty?

Looks like fly-i-ng weather this weekend. You work-i-ng or play-i-ng?

(not so stable)
Gert

[t-bird]

Hi flying i

Nice report.
The Raf is difficult to fly but the training provided by Eben and his dad is excellent.
They have almost the lowest fatality rate for Gyros in South African due to the training.

[mikemat]

I took delivery of my RAF2000 in April last year and have racked up over 170 happy (with the exception of a small self-inflicted oopsie ) hours in her, including some quite long solo and 'gaggle' cross countries. I know that the RAF has historically attracted a lot of (in my view unsubstantiated and unwarranted) controversy, but I can only endorse what flying-i has said. On the lower budget end of the growing side-by-side gyro crop, she really is a tried and tested, and sweet machine. I love her (and hope my wife doesn't read this).

[Gyronaut]

Thanks for the comprehensive report Mark. I am on record as being a vocal supporter of gyro's in general but especially local machines. My criteria was enclosed and local was high on the list. RAF's weren't local when I bought mine or it may have been a tough choice. I yet have to meet a RAF owner that doesn't LOVE his machine and that says enough.
I am particularly happy that you too have now become an ambassador for our sport.
I will certainly take you up on the offer and look forward to flying with you soon.

Fly safe and enjoy!