BeechTalk - BT - This is a Beautiful & Interesting Plane! Cobalt Valkyrie

Username Protected · **Posted:** 15 Feb 2016, 00:39

Username Protected wrote:

It appears to be a real airplane that flew or is it a scam? Confused!

Yes.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 15 Feb 2016, 01:44

Ugly!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Feb 2016, 16:13

Username Protected wrote:

Just for grins I asked a few folks at my home airport if they knew there was an aircraft factory in the adjoining office park. Figured they would stop by to borrow or a tool or just say hello. No one had any contact nor were they aware of the factory. So I went by the Raptor address to see what was going on. This is the picture which unfortunately probably speaks for itself.

no sign no nutthin

Did you knock on the door? I was in Atlanta last week and thought about stopping by but ran out of time.

Unlike with the Valkyrie, there should not be any doubt that the Raptor team has been quite busy building an airplane. They have been documenting their progress with videos published multiple times per week. https://medium.com/@RaptorAircraft

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Feb 2016, 16:15

Username Protected wrote:

It appears to be a real airplane that flew or is it a scam? Confused!

The confusion might stem from the talk of the Raptor on the Valkyrie thread. Todd visited the Raptor Aircraft office in Atlanta, not the Valkyrie office in San Francisco.

The Valkyrie has been flown, the Raptor has not (but a scale model has).

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Feb 2016, 16:55

I'm pretty sure these two aircraft are totally unrelated.
Cobal Aircraft make the Valkyrie.
There are 4 aircraft built, p004 is flying certification test flights now.
They are based at merced (castle airport) in the CA central valley.

CEO David Loury gave a talk on Saturday at our montlhy meeting, this is definitely a real aircraft company, not a scam.

I wish them all the best, it's a tough business, but maybe they could be the next Cirrus, that would be great for all of us.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Feb 2016, 21:31

Actually, I did knock on the door and drove around the building looking for any signs of life or clues as to what was going on inside. The windows were all blacked out or tinted so it was impossible to see anything. Saw no signs of composite construction going on or outside stored drums of resin etc. In fairness it was the weekend and not during the week. I wonder if the build is taking place somewhere else and this is just the mailing address? My point in posting the picture was to help anyone on BT contemplating sending a deposit to know what the operation looks like. I remain a little surprised that the airport operators had not had a courtesy visit or at least some knowledge of the activity given the somewhat rural location. Todd

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Feb 2016, 08:43

My comment on the Cobalt is just that if there is a market for a 5 seat certified plane with a 350hp conventional engine, I would bet on the Diamond DA50 Super Star. More than any other current GA company, Diamond has been able to put new designs through the certification gauntlet with a minmum of delay and problems.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_DA50

For the Raptor, I think it's clear that the propulsion choice (automotive diesel conversion) will keep it in the experimental category only.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Feb 2016, 09:56

Article says the secured $50 million in pre-orders

Let the games begin

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/silicon-val ... 31518.html

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Feb 2016, 10:03

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/silicon-val ... 31518.html

"personal jet"?

I guess if you don't see a prop in front of you, it must be a jet!

Mike C.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Feb 2016, 18:10

Headline says, "Certification Uncertain"

http://www.aviationtoday.com/av/busines ... f07b2cc44a

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Feb 2016, 18:53

Username Protected wrote:

Just for grins I asked a few folks at my home airport if they knew there was an aircraft factory in the adjoining office park. Figured they would stop by to borrow or a tool or just say hello. No one had any contact nor were they aware of the factory. So I went by the Raptor address to see what was going on. This is the picture which unfortunately probably speaks for itself.

no sign no nutthin

That's odd. I follow them on fb and get weekly updates with the latest video of their progress...

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyEqCP ... t8-YEAOxbg

here's the latest one...

[youtube]https://youtu.be/XoIF3g2u6c4[/youtube]

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Feb 2016, 19:59

Outside of the box aircraft design is going to be costly for certification, just because there are no other similar certified aircraft. I can see this being a turbine in the future..

Lots of boundary layer airflow to prove/disprove, for certification. Not to mention the issues of the Canard, with contaminants, and flutter.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Feb 2016, 18:26

I'm concerned about the survivability/seat certification rules under Part 23. Sitting out in front ahead of most of the structure offers some unique challenges when looking at energy absorption criteria.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Feb 2016, 15:34

I am designing a 400kt airplane that burns 10gph. It will carry six people with full fuel and 2000lbs of bags for 2700nm, stalls at 30kts and is pressurized giving a 200ft cabin at 40,000 feet. It will fit in a 35 foot t-hanger and will come fully equipped with fadec, Garmin glass, autopilot, and parachute . The rotary, dyno-reciprocating engine will have 7000hr tbo. It will be fully certified in Dec 2017. I am taking deposits now for only $20,000. Cost of the final product will be $65,000 but if you pay now the cost will only be $35,000.

To reserve your spot please send the deposit to paypal address: bullshit@aol.com

This plane is endorsed by Jim Bede's ghost and Paul Moller.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Feb 2016, 15:36

Username Protected wrote:

I am designing a 400kt airplane that burns 10gph. It will carry six people with full fuel and 2000lbs of bags for 2700nm, stalls at 30kts and is pressurized giving a 200ft cabin at 40,000 feet. It will fit in a 35 foot t-hanger and will come fully equipped with fadec, Garmin glass, autopilot, and parachute . The rotary, dyno-reciprocating engine will have 7000hr tbo. It will be fully certified in Dec 2017. I am taking deposits now for only $20,000. Cost of the final product will be $65,000 but if you pay now the cost will only be $35,000.

To reserve your spot please send the deposit to paypal address: bullshit@aol.com

This plane is endorsed by Jim Bede's ghost and Paul Moller.

Can I pay deposit with Bitcoin?