When this series started, Icon’s shapely A5 LSA seaplane topped the list. Handsome as it is and like most seaplanes, A5 is not particularly fast. The subject of this second in the series of 50 aircraft is Porto Aviation’s Risen. You might say it is on the other end of the speed spectrum Risen rips!
This one challenges all others in the speed contest for LSA (and later, mLSA).
Our #2 video on Videoman Dave’s immense library has garnered 700,000 views. That’s particularly satisfying as Dave was able to use footage from my first solo video effort.
I was at Aero Friendrichshafen 2015 when Risen made its debut. Videoman Dave was not able to attend that year but I hit it off with developer Alberto Porto and he consented to work with me. I was just learning how to shoot a video so for this one to go over well speaks loudly about how much pilots love Risen. Who wouldn’t?
In this article I will update the subject aircraft you’ve enjoyed on video for eight years …yet I can do even better.
Updating Risen
I am further pleased about that 2015 Risen video becoming so popular because at Aero 2023, I again shot my own video and present it for you below. You can view and compare the 2015 Risen announcement and predictions with the current state of the art: SuperVeloce.
SuperVeloce can now be delivered with Rotax 915iS or 916iS.
In fact, the new video has enough quality information in it that I will summarize comments below and let you listen and watch for yourselves. Alberto’s English is good and you can understand him well. In this way you get the story directly from the designer.
Speed Range — Top end, using true airspeed, can exceed 240 knots! This number puts SuperVeloce in the league of Lancair and Glasair, owners of which have become Risen or SuperVeloce owners. True airspeed is different from indicated, as all pilots know. Alberto notes that never-exceed speed is 210 knots indicated. Risen achieved high speeds using only 100 horsepower from a carbureted Rotax 912ULS. Now with the 915iS and 916iS, power output jumps to 141 or 160 horsepower. Even with the most potent powerplant, SuperVeloce is far more fuel efficient than engines in a Lancair or Glasair.
Flower flaps extend deeply allowing generous airflow over the surface, greatly enhancing its efficiency. Note landing light on retractable gear leg.
Structural Upgrades — To accommodate so much extra oomph, SuperVeloce required significant engineering and analysis plus lots of testing. The wing got smaller but the fuselage stayed the same, visually. In fact, it had enhancements under the skin to strengthen SuperVeloce and to better protect it again flutter, a serious aerodynamic phenomena affecting faster aircraft. SuperVeloce and Risen are built primarily of carbon using monocoque construction where the fuselage body provides structural integrity.
Wing Changes — In addition to bolstering the underlying structure, Alberto reduced span from Risen to Superveloce by about a meter, more exactly 80 centimeters or 31.5 inches. When he did this, glide performance declined from 23:1 to 20:1, though that is still strong enough to enter motorglider territory.
Handling — Alberto notes that he cannot be impartial as Risen/SuperVeloce is his own design; to his credit, he acknowledged he is biased in favor of his creation. He defers to his customers for a more impartial view. Nonetheless, he expressed that he finds the handling easy and straightforward although he also cautions that to fly this airplane you must prepare. This is not an ultralight of the 1990s.
Fleet Size — Since its debut in 2015 (production started later), 29 Risen aircraft are flying in several countries. In the USA, Porto has registered 10 aircraft, a worthy number in such a short time for a premium aircraft.
Using a drone view, Risen and SuperVeloce are compared; note wings and tail sizes.
V-tail Advantages Description — Alberto’s choice of a V-tail was deliberate and built on experience from such legacy aircraft as Beechcraft’s Bonanza. Reducing three fins to two means less interference drag while losing no control. Pilots who are puzzled about how a V-tail mixes rudder and elevator input should simply fly conventionally, Alberto said. The mixer will do what you want. V-tails are known for their efficiency and that is a watchword of SuperVeloce’s development.
Enjoy the twin videos!
ARTICLE LINKS:
- FlyRisen.com, the website focused on Risen and SuperVeloce
- Porto Aviation Group, the website for the company which also builds props and does outside engineering work
- Porto Aviation, all reporting on this company and its aircraft on this website
Here is the original debut video that YouTube viewers have enjoyed so much. Watch it one more time.
In the following brand-new video recorded in April 2023, learn how designer Alberto Porto upgraded his Risen into the high performing SuperVeloce. This 14-minute video is packed with information and many images.
Do they plan to sell the Siren, which is the fixed-gear variant? There’s no info on the Siren on their website.
I personally would prefer a fixed-gear due to the higher maintenance costs and insurance premiums associated with retractable-gear aircraft. And in many cases, you only give up around 10 kts in airspeed with fixed-gear, assuming the engine and airframe are the same.
Great observation. You’ve read the articles as well and know about Siren and its stiff legs. I don’t have more information than what I reported, but I did provide links so you can contact them directly.
Please call me about a Risen aircraft.
Please use links in the article to make direct contact.
Firstly, great work with this site and engaging with everyone!
In a separate article, was commenting on this airplane.
Finally got in touch with someone at Porto / Risen. What I still see offered is the 915.
Do you have confirmation a Risen can be fitted with the 916?
You say you contacted Porto. How did they respond to your 916 question?
Yep, I can confirm the 916 is an option.
Extra HP will be helpful in mountain terrain. I think you get a better fuel burn at cruise too.
Having a call with Porto this weekend!
Dan
Love your articles, please keep them coming.
This Risen SV has definitely caught my attention. What changes, if any, to the performance numbers and gross/useful weights might we expect from Risen once the new FAA Mosaic rule changes take effect.
Thank you
From what I’ve read so far (August will be a month of greater study) Risen should easily qualify IF the manufacturer pursues it.
First time I have seen Vne given that way but it makes perfect sense from an engineering standpoint.
210 kn Indicated for strength criterion, 250 kn True for stiffness.
I enjoy visiting this site keep up the great content.
Thanks for your kind words.
Great video . Wish you had asked him about the new designed airplane price in dollars.
As a consumer, I always liked price information as well. However, since videos remain in circulation for years, it becomes a disservice to quote long-out-of-date figures.
A little off topic Dan, but what happened to Videoman Dave? His Youtube channel has been silent for about six months now. I hope he’s doing OK?
I don’t believe it’s for me to say, Steve, but he has encountered some health challenges that have kept him off his channel. One reason for this Top 50 series is to celebrate his work.