Recent content by Robin Austin

Couple of images of this folding wing, trailered aircraft. For more info go to the above link.

Hi folks. I have included a link here to another thread that has pics of my aircraft that is trailered on a regular basis. Time to unload from trailer is typically less than 5 minutes and time to rig is also typically less than 5 minutes including preflight inspection. So, 8 to 10 min in total...

Thanks for all the input. A huge cultural lesson! I knew there was a transition from Europe (Rotax) to US (traditional) but didn’t realise it was that prevalent. Fascinating ! Cheers.

Hi TTF. Just curious! I find it perplexing that you find it perplexing. Seems like a natural fit to me!?!? There are at least 5 Rotax powered Sonerais in Australia. That is probably one third of the fleet. This is not a negative comment, just that despite US folks liking US engines, there’s...

With the fuel tank relocated to the back, and soloing from the rear as is the norm, I’m almost certain that could be made work. Now get to work on the W&B spreadsheet ha ha.

That’s one interesting plane from your hometown. I love the concept of flying at good speeds on such a low hp engine and available at a price us mere mortals can afford. For me that’s much more elegant than just stuffing extra hp in. Well done to the Gazaile folks. and thanks for the link.

Ha ha. I think you have an uncanny knack of explaining the funny world we find ourselves in with unusual amount of forthrightness, insight and elegance. Thanks for explaining these oddities to me again.

It’s clear that the Risen is an efficient aircraft, but....The bit that miffs me is when manufacturers (many) claim a Rotax 912 in their airframe uses 2 1/2 litres per hour less at 75% than Rotax Engineers and technical specs claim (or 912s actually use), as Risen do in their specs sheet. I’m...

Ah, Dave.... Lightning Bug..... Penny dropped, I just realised who I am taking to. Is there a thread that I can get an update on your projects Dave? If not, now that you’ve got our interest, perhaps you can give us like minded nuts an update here? Or start a seperate thread with an update!

Thx Dave. Except for my jibe, I think it’s all been positive and fleshed out a bit of useful discussion. Also a few ideas and thoughts that similar minded speed or efficiency nuts might find mildly educational or at least enjoy reading. Even Mark might be inspired to build that better doghouse...

Hi Thank you for the detailed and clear description. That fills in the gaps and makes perfect sense of why the ambiguous claims and marketing. Really appreciated. It appears Risen have done a fantastic job and put a huge effort into this project and it sure looks exciting. I didn’t set out to...

Hi. FAI have different types of speed records. All records can be flown at your chosen altitude as I recall. The chosen altitude will usually depend on the type of aircraft (turbo or not) and the type of record chosen. I have provided more details in a post earlier today that hopefully might...

Hi Mark. Firstly, thank you for your kind comments. Really appreciated. I did speak with John at Oshkosh in 2011 about transferring my testing and ideas on to one of his designs in return for a discounted kit for me to apply them to on the other side of the world, but he wasn’t interested and I...

Hi Dave Thx for the kind words, but I need to clarify the type of World Records I attained. There were 2 aircraft Efficiency World Records, but that’s another story. The speed records were for 1 way flights, ie point to point. This means wind assisted. All the FAI point to point distance speed...

It appears there are 2 different specs for the aircraft. I’ve just found an alternate website that shows a 600kg MTOW rather than the 472Kg in the video and other marketing. This is a good thing, but my comments above still apply re performance/economy and to usage of this aircraft in Europe and...