RAVIN RAVIN 500

TYPE: Four-seat kitbuilt.

PROGRAMME: Transformation of Piper PA-24 Comanche (first flown 24 May 1956) into composites. Project originated during Jan Troskie's ownership of a Comanche 260C and following joint construction of Tri-R KIS composites kitplane with Leon Joubert, who later designed Ravin's avionics suite.
Prototype ZU-CTW flying by 2002; further aircraft registered in 2003.

DESIGN FEATURES: Based on Piper Comanche, but some 7 per cent smaller and with redesign to enhance aerodynamics (wing profile), drag reduction (engine cowling), occupant's comfort and operating costs. Original Fowler flaps replaced by plain units; horizontal tail surfaces changed to conventional tailplane and elevator.
Can be equipped with standard Comanche engine, engine mount, propeller, landing gear, flight control systems, avionics and instruments or with more modern equivalents.
Airframe compatible with conversion to PA-30 Twin Comanche.

FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Plain flaps.

STRUCTURE: Composites throughout.

LANDING GEAR: Tricycle type; retractable.

POWER PLANT: One 194 kW (260 hp) Textron Lycoming IO-540 flat-six. Fuel capacity 606 litres (160 US gallons; 133 Imp gallons) in wing tanks.

ACCOMMODATION: Four persons in tandem side-by-side pairs.

DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL:

  • Wing span: 10.40 m (34 ft 1½ in)
  • Wing aspect ratio: 7.4
  • Length overall: 7.42 m (24 ft 4 in)

AREAS:

  • Wings, gross: 14.60 m² (157.2 sq ft)

WEIGHTS AND LOADINGS:

  • Weight empty: 850 kg (1,874 lb)
  • Max T-O weight: 1,620 kg (3,571 lb)
  • Max wing loading: 111.0 kg/m² (22.73 lb/sq ft)
  • Max power loading: 8.36 kg/kW (13.73 lb/hp)

PERFORMANCE:

  • Max level speed: 210 kt (389 km/h; 242 mph) IAS
  • Cruising speed at 75% power:
    • S/L: 185 kt (342 km/h; 213 mph) IAS
    • at FL65: 196 kt (363 km/h; 226 mph)
  • Stalling speed: clean: 56 kt (103 km/h; 64 mph) IAS
    • flaps and gear down: 49 kt (91 km/h; 56 mph) IAS
  • Range with 10% reserves: 2,000 n miles (3,704 km; 2,301 miles)

The article appears in the following publication:
Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2004-2005. Jane's Information Group Ltd. 2004. ISBN: 0-7106-2614-2

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