Testimonials

Had a great day of flying, 4 hours. The move of the CG back a bit and the advice about T/O and landing worked wonders. First T/O bar out full throttle the run distance was about the same as my Maverick, right at 38 -40 MPH nice smooth liftoff. The climb out was very nice. Hands off cruse is about 55 at 5800 RPM. The bar pressure is very light in pitch. Just a very small amount of light pull inward and your speed shoots right up to the mid sixties without moving the throttle. Roll is also excellent. Where I was flying today is one of the toughest places for turbulence, especially when it gets as warm as today. The first third of the runway is in a very closed canyon area and for ultralights as well as LSA is avoided like a plague when landing. Your wing went right through that area with just a couple of mild pumps. I was out at 1:30 in the worst part of the day and still enjoying the flying. Landing was a pleasure after a few mental/technique adjustments from flying other wings. This really is a tough area to fly and even most of the LSA guys knock off by noon, and I was out flying with the only other aircraft that can handle comfortably that area at that time of day, a gyrocopter. When I landed and made my way back to the parking area, the clubhouse porch emptied, all 4, came over and were wanting to know how I could be out there with the flag standing straight out. I explained to them that trikes now have a true trike wing. The BB Trike and Gibbo Wing got a nice review from some hard core fixed wing guys. One comment came from one guy who never took trikes seriously, "this is going to revolutionize trikes". The more I fly, it just keeps getting better. The Manta 12.5 103 Wing and BB 103 447 Sport Trike where the best choice for me.

Hey Gibbo,
I finally got a good day of soaring here in that little trike. I powered
up to six grand and shut her off just at the west edge of our flight park.
I worked marginal lift to about nine grand which brought me over next to
Portal Peak where the lift turned on nicely. I climbed to 12,500' right
over the peak and hung there for about a half hour. I flew back to the
field and got there at seven grand, hung out over the barn for a while
too.
It was GREAT!
John 'Ole' Olson

As an FAA Sport Pilot CFI providing training in an AirBorne Streak. I wanted to tell you that your Manta 17 amazed me. I have flown a few single surface wings in my years and I decided a long time ago that double surface were more my style. I train new pilots in my Streak mainly because I do not like the way single surface wings handle. The Manta 17 is the first wing that I have ever flown that flies as well, and in some cases better that my Streak. The wing does everything that it needs to do as far as the PTS, but the best part is the amazingly light bar pressure needed to perform the maneuvers. Inputs are immediate and that gives great confidence as a new pilot learns to perform "low passes" in preparation to learning "touch and go's" The RST really shines on landing, as the ground effect is minimal and allows for precise spot landings without a great deal of "floating"

A few days ago I was invited to the Gibbogear factory field to checkout the latest product from MANTA AIRCRAFT S.A. Gibbo has been working on a new wing in the Manta Ray lineup..the 17M. I arrived early where we had a clear blue sky with a brisk wind in the forecast. The new wing looks like the others..very nice. The 17M uses the same airframe as the 15.5 with more sail area and a few design changes that I was anxious to evaluate. The wing has been extensively flight tested and tuned up and now it was time for a weekend flyer to try it out. The wing was fitted to an Apollo Delta Jet 582 with all the bells and whistles. After just a few minutes to get familiar with the cockpit I was on my way. I flew around for about 30min. and the trike was a dream to fly. The trim speed was about 53mph and it flew with just a light touch. I was expecting a bigger/heavier feeling aircraft but the Apollo is very sporty and the whole package feels smaller than it looks. The smaller control frame on the Manta Ray is very cool. The 17M fly's with light control input but it does have a definite trim position and positive feedback. It is easy to roll into a turn and just as easy to roll out. A standard rate turn requires some added pitch and a little "opposite aileron" just like an airplane. The landing was easy even with a crosswind coming over the hedge line. The Apollo/Manta Ray is a great package.

Wanted to let you know that the new wing leaves me speechless, the last couple of Florida weekends have been pretty ugly with 15-20 mile an hour winds, with my old single surface I wouldn't even consider going out fly ( not to mention if I did I needed to be out by 7 am and would be done by 9:00 am). With my new Manta I can go any time of the day, setup in 15 minutes, taxi in windy conditions and fly in conditions I never even considered to fly in. Thanks for quadrupling my flight time.

Finally...a Trike Wing that is notably better. After the Industry's long and painfully slow evolution of Trike Wings from hang glider designs, there is a departure from conventional and riddance of the attendant compromises. Different is one thing, better is another. The GIBBOGEAR MANTA RAY RST 12.5 Trike Wing is unquestionably…better, it does everything better, starting with set-up, to ground handling, take-off acceleration, climb,handling, speed range, low end, stall, landing, and hanger door clearance. Fly one yourself and see what I mean.

As a new trike pilot looking for a wing for my 103 Apex Echo/Rotax 447, my major concern was finding a very forgiving wing to learn with. Mark convinced me that the MantaRay 15.5 would fit the need, and I haven't been sorry! I had an excellent top-notch instructor (Norm Bjornstad) but I worried a lot about making the move from the two-place trainer to the single-place 103 trike with the MantaRay, especially since I planned to solo in the 103 trike. Norm flew the MantaRay and we spent a while talking about the differences between it & the trainer, then he turned me loose. I shouldn't have worried! The MantaRay flies exactly how I want it to - I never imagined it would be so easy to land. I'm particularly pleased with the speed range that I get from it (less than 30 with the bar out to ~65 with the bar all the way in). I still only have a few hours with it, but looking forward to many more!

	MANTA RST WING AND BB TRIKE TESTIMONIALS Hello Gibbo, Had a great day of flying, 4 hours. The move of the CG back a bit and the advice about T/O and landing worked wonders. First T/O bar out full throttle the run distance was about the same as my Maverick, right at 38 -40 MPH nice smooth liftoff. The climb out was very nice. Hands off cruse is about 55 at 5800 RPM. The bar pressure is very light in pitch. Just a very small amount of light pull inward and your speed shoots right up to the mid sixties without moving the throttle. Roll is also excellent. Where I was flying today is one of the toughest places for turbulence, especially when it gets as warm as today. The first third of the runway is in a very closed canyon area and for ultralights as well as LSA is avoided like a plague when landing. Your wing went right through that area with just a couple of mild pumps. I was out at 1:30 in the worst part of the day and still enjoying the flying. Landing was a pleasure after a few mental/technique adjustments from flying other wings. This really is a tough area to fly and even most of the LSA guys knock off by noon, and I was out flying with the only other aircraft that can handle comfortably that area at that time of day, a gyrocopter. When I landed and made my way back to the parking area, the clubhouse porch emptied, all 4, came over and were wanting to know how I could be out there with the flag standing straight out. I explained to them that trikes now have a true trike wing. The BB Trike and Gibbo Wing got a nice review from some hard core fixed wing guys. One comment came from one guy who never took trikes seriously, "this is going to revolutionize trikes". The more I fly, it just keeps getting better. The Manta 12.5 103 Wing and BB 103 447 Sport Trike where the best choice for me. Be Safe Fred Hey Gibbo, I finally got a good day of soaring here in that little trike. I powered up to six grand and shut her off just at the west edge of our flight park. I worked marginal lift to about nine grand which brought me over next to Portal Peak where the lift turned on nicely. I climbed to 12,500' right over the peak and hung there for about a half hour. I flew back to the field and got there at seven grand, hung out over the barn for a while too. It was GREAT! John 'Ole' Olson Mark, As an FAA Sport Pilot CFI providing training in an AirBorne Streak. I wanted to tell you that your Manta 17 amazed me. I have flown a few single surface wings in my years and I decided a long time ago that double surface were more my style. I train new pilots in my Streak mainly because I do not like the way single surface wings handle. The Manta 17 is the first wing that I have ever flown that flies as well, and in some cases better that my Streak. The wing does everything that it needs to do as far as the PTS, but the best part is the amazingly light bar pressure needed to perform the maneuvers. Inputs are immediate and that gives great confidence as a new pilot learns to perform "low passes" in preparation to learning "touch and go's" The RST really shines on landing, as the ground effect is minimal and allows for precise spot landings without a great deal of "floating" The rate of climb with the 582 is awesome, and the only issue I had was keeping it from climbing when I was giving very small throttle inputs. That is an issue most of us are happy to work out. Mark you have done an outstanding job on making a large single surface wing act like a small double surface wing. I am thrilled to be able to provide your products through Agape Windsorts, LLC. Thanks for your contribution to the refinement of the great sport of triking. Blessings, John C. Listi Owner/Agent Agape Windsports, LLC. Houston, Texas www.agapewindsports.com FYI A few days ago I was invited to the Gibbogear factory field to checkout the latest product from MANTA AIRCRAFT S.A. Gibbo has been working on a new wing in the Manta Ray lineup..the 17M. I arrived early where we had a clear blue sky with a brisk wind in the forecast. The new wing looks like the others..very nice. The 17M uses the same airframe as the 15.5 with more sail area and a few design changes that I was anxious to evaluate. The wing has been extensively flight tested and tuned up and now it was time for a weekend flyer to try it out. The wing was fitted to an Apollo Delta Jet 582 with all the bells and whistles. After just a few minutes to get familiar with the cockpit I was on my way. I flew around for about 30min. and the trike was a dream to fly. The trim speed was about 53mph and it flew with just a light touch. I was expecting a bigger/heavier feeling aircraft but the Apollo is very sporty and the whole package feels smaller than it looks. The smaller control frame on the Manta Ray is very cool. The 17M fly's with light control input but it does have a definite trim position and positive feedback. It is easy to roll into a turn and just as easy to roll out. A standard rate turn requires some added pitch and a little "opposite aileron" just like an airplane. The landing was easy even with a crosswind coming over the hedge line. The Apollo/Manta Ray is a great package. Gregg Ludwig PP-wsc Hi Mark, Now that I have your Manta 12.5 wing,I am back to my old style of flying (used to fly a 3 axis Team Airbike), i.e. yank & bank from 0 to 200 feet agl (call me stupid). With my old 15 meter single surface wing,within an hour after sunrise,it was not fun anymore,felt like I was wrestling an alligator rather than flying a trike.Now I'll fly when even the Cessna's stay on the ground. Also,since we only have access to a storage shed at the airport,I have to set up & tear down every time I fly,but the honest to goodness 15 minutes it takes is a necessity,not a luxury . Thanks Tariq Ebrahim Naples,Fl Never mess with the Wind Gods. But that Manta 12.5 sure can tickle em a bit. Flew all morning and afternoon today, high and low, and never even thought about it. With the Manta-12.5 you can fly all day. Jim Waters Clipper 912/Manta 12.5 Mark, Wanted to let you know that the new wing leaves me speechless, the last couple of Florida weekends have been pretty ugly with 15-20 mile an hour winds, with my old single surface I wouldn't even consider going out fly ( not to mention if I did I needed to be out by 7 am and would be done by 9:00 am). With my new Manta I can go any time of the day, setup in 15 minutes, taxi in windy conditions and fly in conditions I never even considered to fly in. Thanks for quadrupling my flight time. Moses Ezekiel (Moe) Manta Ray Eagle w/Geo g10 P.S. Probably the best testimonial is when I bragged about the wing to my girlfriend, all she could say was, "great now you won't come home until the sun is down". She's probably right! Finally...a Trike Wing that is notably better. After the Industry's long and painfully slow evolution of Trike Wings from hang glider designs, there is a departure from conventional and riddance of the attendant compromises. Different is one thing, better is another. The GIBBOGEAR MANTA RAY RST 12.5 Trike Wing is unquestionably…better, it does everything better, starting with set-up, to ground handling, take-off acceleration, climb,handling, speed range, low end, stall, landing, and hanger door clearance. Fly one yourself and see what I mean. Chuck Burgoon ATP, MEI, CFI, CFII, BFI, AGI, IGI, SPE Hey Primo: Thanks for building the RST, so I could accomplish my dream flight to Venezuela. Armando Martinez BFI, Cross Country Pilot As a new trike pilot looking for a wing for my 103 Apex Echo/Rotax 447, my major concern was finding a very forgiving wing to learn with. Mark convinced me that the MantaRay 15.5 would fit the need, and I haven't been sorry! I had an excellent top-notch instructor (Norm Bjornstad) but I worried a lot about making the move from the two-place trainer to the single-place 103 trike with the MantaRay, especially since I planned to solo in the 103 trike. Norm flew the MantaRay and we spent a while talking about the differences between it & the trainer, then he turned me loose. I shouldn't have worried! The MantaRay flies exactly how I want it to - I never imagined it would be so easy to land. I'm particularly pleased with the speed range that I get from it (less than 30 with the bar out to ~65 with the bar all the way in). I still only have a few hours with it, but looking forward to many more! Terrel Sandberg Mesa, AZ
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