In our strongest month ever, April 2020, our biggest story was about the Swedish Blackwing “Speed Monster.” Pilots almost universally admire a beautiful and fast aircraft. Blackwing won hearts …and perhaps some orders for the Scanadanavian manufacturer. Blackwing edged out Risen with its record flight, prompting a representative of Porto Aviation Group to provide a deeper perspective. Many years ago as an active hang glider pilot, I found the records-keeping body, FAI, to be very strict and formal in how it administered world record claims. Siren or Risen Whatever the Name; It’s Fast One of my most popular videos (with well over a half million views and hundreds of comments) is an interview I did with Alberto Porto, developer of Risen. It was 2015 and he had just introduced his speedster He said it would set records and it turns out he knew what he was saying.
Racing Risen — A “Pandora’s Box” (and Lesson) About Speed Records in Light Aircraft
Siren or Risen Whatever the Name; It's Fast
One of my most popular videos (with well over a half million views and hundreds of comments) is an interview I did with Alberto Porto, developer of Risen. It was 2015 and he had just introduced his speedster He said it would set records and it turns out he knew what he was saying.Porto's Siren looks fast even with fixed landing gear.
Porto Aviation Siren fixed gear with a carbureted Rotax 912 ULS heading out for a 50km closed course record.
Siren undergoes a weighing process under FAI supervision; fuel and crew must remain below 472.5 kilograms (1,042 pounds). Although Siren is labeled "Turbozentrum," the aircraft is equipped with a non-turbocharged 912 ULS and is completely stock. Turbozentrum was one of the record attempt sponsors.
Team Porto Aviation Group pose with both record-setting aircraft (fixed-gear Siren at back with retractable Risen behind team).
Previously reported Blackwing heads out for a record attempt.
Closing Thoughts
https://youtu.be/sfy4UWv041o