Original Lightning Bug N63974
The Rapture Bug is being developed to be a high performance, easy-to-build, single seat kit aircraft. The Rapture Bug was inspired by the Lightning Bug kit aircraft (shown above), developed by Nick Jones in the early 1990’s. The Founders of Rapture Aviation (Dave and Milton) obtained the rights, tooling and spare parts inventory for the original Lightning Bug business back in 2008 with the intent to one day, resurrect the design. Since then, they have built/owned 6 of the original Lightning Bugs (VH-EMK, N44XM, N200NJ, N2024J, N51JM and the Jet Bug) and have flown two of them for test purposes; one with a fixed nose-gear powered by a 120hp Jabiru 3300 engine (VH-EMK) and the other with the standard retractable nose-gear powered by a 100hp Rotax 912ULS engine (N44XM).
The 120hp Jabiru 3300 powered Lightning Bug, VH-EMK
The test flying was conducted to accurately determine the performance and handling characteristics of the aircraft with different powerplants and different landing gear configurations. The results of that testing have been considered in determining the need for changes to the original design to improve flight and handling characteristics, as well as determining what landing gear and powerplant options would likely be most desirable.
In addition to carrying out performance testing, the entire aircraft was assessed from the perspective of cabin space, manufacturability of kits, structural enhancements (to achieve higher speed limits) and to enhance the building experience. All the lessons learned from testing the original Lightning Bugs have been incorporated into the design of the new Rapture Bug.
| Lightning Bug with 100hp Rotax 912ULS (actual) | Lightning Bug with 120hp Jabiru 3300 (actual) | Rapture Bug with 145hp Zonsen CA550TI (Projected) | |
| Wing Span | 17’10” | 17’10” | 17’10” |
| Length | 17’6″ | 17’6″ | 17’6″ |
| Empty Weight (lbs) | 597 | 601 | 580 |
| Fuel capacity (USG) | 24 | 24 | 28 |
| Maximum Take-Off Weight (lbs) | 900 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Maximum speed (Sea Level /ISA) – KTAS | 186 | 197 | 210 |
| Economical cruise speed – KTAS | 165 | 180 | 220 |
| Range (nm with VFR reserves) | 825 | 810 | 950 |
The all-new carbon fiber fuselage for the Rapture Bug
Progress reports on the development of the all-new Rapture Bug are posted on our Rapture Bug-specific Facebook page which you can find at https://www.facebook.com/RaptureAircraft
We will commence taking orders for the Rapture Bug kits once we have built and tested the new-build aircraft. In the meantime, if you would like to express an interest to buy a kit when they are available, please do so by filling in the contact form below. We will contact you when the kits are available for you to then further consider your interest.