A Big Fat Review of my Paramotor Trike
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- Опубліковано 22 кві 2022
- A thorough overview of my Xenit with the Cosmos 300. If you’re new here, let me start by saying that paramotors, just like the one in this video, don't require a pilots license or a medical examination to fly!
The Xenit Paramotor Trike, made by the Italian company Fly Products, is considered a large trike compared to the other paramotor trikes on the market, and it’s designed for, and it’s really good at taking up passengers! Trikes larger than this one often require you to get your “aircraft” certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, and you probably already know by now that that takes so much of the freedom and fun out of it. On the other hand, going smaller than the Xenit wasn’t what I personally wanted because I wanted something more robust… an inherently stable flying machine, particularly while it's in motion on the ground, that could stand up harsh landscapes that I live in. And the power of this categorically large engine has made getting off the ground feel seemingly effortless.
The Xenit starts at $13,399. Still, I wouldn’t personally recommend the entry level Xenit, only because it comes with the Polini Thor 303 instead of the provably superior Cosmos 300. Historically, Polini Motors has produced dependable engines in not only powered paragliding, but in other forms of ultralight aviation as well. However, their most recent and most powerful engine used in paramotoring, the Thor 303, has left multiple owners frustrated over a pretty severe malfunction that results in the engine seizing.
The dual spark version simply means that it has 2 spark plugs, instead of one which is the norm in paramotoring.
Both variations of the Cosmos 300 produce up to 36 horsepower delivering upwards of 273 pounds of thrust. Let’s compare that to the very popular Moster 185 engine that produces 165 lbs. That additional 100 plus pounds of push will have you taking off in much shorter distances and will significantly boost your climb rate once airborne.
The one thing that I don’t like about this engine is how the factory has placed tamper tape on the high and low jets, and any adjustments made to the factory’s carburetor setting will void the warranty. Vittorazi put the tamper tape on this engine to protect the engine from being run too lean, which it really bad engines. On the other hand, running it rich doesn't pose a threat to the engines life, just it's performance. I ended up breaking the tamper tape with a little adjustment and it totally solved this problem allowing me to achieve the engines intended performance.
Considering the size and power of the engine, the Cosmos is efficient. I could fly for 3 hours when flying solo. With a passenger, you can fly for about 2 hours on a full tank. If you had that extra large tank upgrade, you’d be able to cruise for up to 6 hours!
The Xenit comes standard with a 16 liters, or 4.23 gallon fuel tank. Fly Products does offer an extra large 8.5 gallon tank.
The tank is removable. I see 2 benefits to this:
1. you can take the fuel tank off to make the trike lighter if you’re lifting or lowering the trike into or out of a truck bed.
2. On XC flights, you could land near a gas station, quickly take the tank off the trike, fill with fuel and mix the oil before reconnecting the tank to your trike.
The Xenit is a large trike. It has a dry weight of 175 lbs. It’s 7 feet long, 6 and a half feet wide, and almost 6 feet tall. The tires that come standard are exceptionally large with a 15 inch diameter and a width of 6 inches. All variants of the Xenit come with a very effective front suspension that further improves upon the ride quality on the ground.
Fly Products USA has an awesome video on how to breakdown your Xenit trike so that it could fit in the back of an SUV in a matter of minutes. I am able to fit my Xenit in the back of my F-150.
One of the greatest things about purchasing a trike from Fly Products is how easy and fun the assembly is. In that crate is an ALMOST ready to fly flying machine. ALL YOU NEED IS A 5mm Allen key, and its included.
BEST of all is that this NO DRILLING design does not compromise the structural integrity of the frame. By using these collars, no holes needed to be drilled into the frame. It’s this simple, yet proven design that make this trike so strong and capable of bearing heavy loads.
Underneath my seat is a compartment for a very large emergency parachute.
The control panel comes with any of the Xenit Packages that includes the Dual Spark variant of the Cosmos 300. If you purchased a Xenit package that didn’t include the control panel, you could buy it separately for $699.
It’s a solid and stable platform that I have trusted so much that I’ve taken my wife and kids as passengers. There is still so much more to be done in terms of adventure flights, like landing it inside of a volcano that isn’t too far away, or loading it up with my camping gear for a solo overnighter in the middle of nowhere.
Finally all the questions I’ve had answered. I want a machine that I can feel comfortable taking my kiddos up on and this sealed it for me. Thank you for doing all the homework on the engine performances, weights and dimensions of the trike. I’m glad to know it can stand up to tough terrain with ease too. Great quality video man, I appreciate all the animations and drawings you added in there too.
You’re welcome. And thank you, Jared.
WOW! your hard work is evident with this one. you’re the most creative person i know. wildly impressive edit. for anyone who reads my comment, anthony just recently started dabbling in animation. impressive, amiright?
i love our xenit aka jolene. excited for more adventures with her.
p.s. your baby is cute AF.
-your #1 fan
Yup impressive indeed! Sho-u-right!!
I have to say this is one of the most thorough and creative PPG videos I've seen. Impressive Job Anthony. I know how much time a video like this takes and the PPG community thanks you for that. As you know I just got my Xenit Trike with Cosmos 300 Today! I bought this based off your very first video on the trike.
I’m very jealous of your Xenit since it has all of those “bells and whistles”. Next I’d like to fly that electric paramotor that you have. I was really impressed when I saw yours.
The only way to fly with friends and family that don’t have what it takes to fly themselves in the best and most fun form of aviation ever! Great video!
Thank you Hermano! Now hurry back to El Paso as soon as this crap weather goes away.
Pretty damn good video Sonny. Your Mom and I are proud. Solid info and advice. I really dig the sweet graphics and drone footage too.
I’ve flown with Anthony multiple times while training with him to foot launch and I can’t wait to progress in my flying abilities to fly this same trike. You’re videos are awesome! It’s about time you put another one out brother. Great video, awesome and very informative. I truly enjoyed watching it.
I have zero need/want for a trike myself but I’m soooo happy to see content by you again like the old videos. The editing is so on point and fun to watch even knowing I don’t care for trikes haha. I love your content (video and podcasts) so please make more!
Thank you! I bought an iPad just so that I could doodle the animations a little faster. Hopefully, it’ll make editing more efficient so that I can put more scenes like this into future videos. Seriously, I really appreciate your comment.
Thanks for the informative video! My cousin Frank recommended and I’ve subscribed. These videos are important to make decisions before spending your hard earned money. I appreciate the thoroughness
Awesome!!! Thanks for checking out the video. I hope we can convince you to get into flying paramotors.
Dude… you’re awesome! Thanks for the video
Very nice video. I will also soon be a proud owner of a Xenit with a Cosmos 300. Can't wait for it any longer after seen your videos ; )) Greeting from Germany. Take care and always happy landings.
Man, I’ve got to make this summer the one where I finally try paramotoring!
I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Another HIGHLY entertaining video! I agree with Leandra's comment. Fantastic editing and attention to detail. Always love the humor you inject all over the place. it's a plain ol good time!
Putting video and editing quality aside, there was a lot of info in this one and good info at that! I'm a sucker for nitty gritty details and I think you did a good job including some of the specifications and configuration options for the Xenit and Cosmos 300. I'd love to see more videos like this one, but getting your hands on the numerous solo and tandem trike variants would cost a small fortune. Anyone want to donate their trike to Anthony for a few weeks??? Can't be a Xenit! LOL
As you know, I flip flopped back and forth between many trikes before finally settling on the Condor solo with Cosmos. I think it will be a great trike but it would have been super cool to have been able to find reviews on the various trikes that are on the market before I made my choice. Sadly there is little literature and few reviews to be found, but you managed to steer me in a good direction. We'll see after she takes flight! I'm totally willing to offer her up so you can add another review to your belt and maybe attract some attention from these manufacturers. Never know!
Keep em up, Anthony! They just keep getting better and better!
I’m super excited to see your new trike in person. It’ll be a blast for you to fly, I’m sure.
Aside from that, I really appreciate the kind words about the editing. Now I just need to get faster at it. Haha.
Haha! Awesome Anthony. Well worth the blood, sweat & tears I put into watching this video! Finally a great video that didn't exploit sex & violence... ok, maybe no violence. Very enticing to get a trike like that setup.
Haha! Best comment. Thank you for tolerating the video. 😂😂😂
That is a fine machine for sure. Applaud your tube creations. FAA dude's and your enthusiasm better than the discovery ch. 😁
Why thank you kindly good sir! I’m glad you enjoyed the FAA dude. Haha. I know that I’m not supposed to laugh at my own jokes, but I did. Thank you for commenting, Bob!
Your videos and comments/replies have helped a lot .
Thank you for making such informative content for other pilots out there, here, everywhere 😅🤟🏽👍🏽
You’re welcome! The best part about making videos on UA-cam is getting to hear what others think and share ideas. As rare as it is, it feels great when I comment on someone’s video and they respond. It let’s me know that they genuinely made the video for the viewers/community. Thanks to you for watching!
Great job explaining things and an even greater job on the edit Anthony! Thanks for sharing this with us all brother.
Excellent content! Great explanations! No questions left unanswered! Fabulous video!
Thank you very much! 😁
Awesome review, Anthony. Looks like an absolute ton of fun.
Amazing, awesome sum up and share!!!
The best Paramotor review video I've seen by a huge margin! Also that wing falling transition @ 13:43..... Butter!
This is such an awesome video!!! You worked your butt off on this one! I love it!!
Thank you! 😁😁😁 Love your channel picture. Haha Jealous you got to fly it!
Another awesome, funny, visually pleasing, and most important of all, positively informative video by the Vella family! Keep up the content Anthony and Leandra! Making me have Zenith goals now too 🪂🪂 without even having my first foot launch as of yet😂 🤦🏽♂️ Safe flying! Looking forward to the next one👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Mr Future Pilot, thank you for the kind words! I’m super pumped for you to get your sexy new paramotor this week! Bowwchickawowow
Cool equipment man, I really like the looks of that trike
Amazing video! Really makes me want to purchase a trike!
By any chance are you planning on doing another video on your Gravity foot-launch rig? I should be back to Ft. Bliss in June, and will be looking to purchase my first paramotor.
Thank you, Chris! I’ll likely do more videos on the Gravity Paramotor. Unfortunately, it needs a few new parts before I’ll be able to fly it again though. I may have bumped into a tree a few weeks ago. Lol
Your channel is awesome. Did you take a master's class or something on video production? All your videos are excellent, but I can see them getting better each time. Those cuts are SO CLEAN
Yeah, he pays a man to do that. You know how it is. Those people NEVER get credit. Only the movie star (Anthony) gets recognized.
WOW great video!!
i have not heard any negatives about the vitorazzi engine. i think its worth it to spend the (initial) extra dollars.
Great informative video Anthony! Beautiful golden hour b-roll! We are so pumped with your experience so far. The crew at One Up Adventures is awesome. Keep up the great content!! I dig the Yellow Gameboy pocket in the background! -Kyle
Thank you for the compliments! Most of all, I’m so glad you noticed the Gameboy! Did you have a favorite game?
@@AnthonyVella The Legend of Zelda Wooooooooo!!! I'm 100% adding a Gameboy Easter egg in an upcoming edit. Have a great week!
great video Tony
Great Video on the Xenit Trike
Mr Vella, you have certainly up'd you editing game to next level with all the animations, so many subtle details, Sunny making a nice guest appearance. Mr FAA was so funny. You have certainly tamed your presentational style to a Flight Briefing Room format, information and education, which this video is crammed packed with. Nicely do my friend. I still need to get you in a Deltawing somehow ;)
Sunny was the real star of the show. Haha. I know I say it a lot, but I’d really love to try out a delta wing. You ought to come to the US and teach me now that you’re an instructor. Let’s chat soon!
@@AnthonyVella not quite an instructor, still a few hurdles to go.
Anthony, your videos are great!
Thank you very much! Sincerely.
Good video! Thanks.
That was one helluva review!
Thank you Rippa!!! Hope you make your way out to El Paso for some flying sometime.
Very informative. 👍🏼
Awesome vid!
Thank you maaaabrutha!
Good job
Good info Anthony. 👍😎👍 I am setting up my dashboard like yours. I think I'll add a phone holder too, so I can pull up a map. BTW.... Are the rear straps for the Passenger seat the same length as the pilot's seat rear straps? I can't find a part number for the passenger seat rear straps.
Hey, brother! Have missed your videos! Hope you're doing well!
Another great video! Where did you get your trike package from?
Well done bud
Very interesting
Liked, subscribed, & HIT the bell! I'm glad I found your video!
Right to Repair taught us those "void your warranty" stickers don't stick in court. The system is broke, you'd still need to spend lots of money to be right.
Being 52, 5'6", and fat, well, this sounds like an option! I'm moving to Florida, which hopefully is a great state to fly these in. I'm going to get a plane in a few years or less, but in the meanwhile, if I can get into this for at or under 20k, it's a no brainer! I can flying by this summer! Love it. I'd want the ballistic chute and whatever instruments they offer! Rather have the safest setup with all the toys! I already have around 70 hours of flight training. Hopefully, that will save on training in a paramotor.
This could be a very good fit for you! Thanks for watching the video. =D
Awesome video! My only issue with this trike is the overhead panel (if you get it). I wouldn't want anything in front of my sights.
Totally get it! There are days/flights where I really appreciate the nothingness in front of me while I’m flying my foot launch unit. Other days, I love the “pilot feeling” I get from having the overhead panel. The footage is a little deceiving though because the GoPro is significantly higher than my eyes. This gives the impression that the panel is much lower than it actually is. Still, you bring up a great point.
@@AnthonyVella Yeah totally! BTW I love your content and your spirit in this sport man. Keep it up, stay safe and never stop. ✌️
You could almost fly off a beach with those big tires 😮
You’re giving me ideas… haha. We don’t have the beach close by, but we have a river bottom. I might be able to test it.
you have any vids on how to use spare cutes? i see you said you have one stored under your seat. wondering how you activate it? and how much altitude do you need?
as much as I liked the technical contents of the video, I was amazed by your smooth editing. the only personal opinion I have is to eliminate the music while you talk, keep it only for the action shows....
Thank you, Ahmad. I struggle with the audio aspect of video editing. Hopefully I’ll find a better balance of narration to background music in the next one, or just eliminate the music entirely. I appreciate the feedback.
Will one wing support all the different weights? Single pilots and pilots with passengers?
Thanks so much!!! I'm looking at buying a used one. But man I just may go for the 300 new. You know where I can purchase in Canada (Manitoba)
You're more than welcome. I would still reach out to the guys at Fly Products USA. They may still be able to get you taken care of.
Bro you need to bring back your podcast!!
The full tilt version sounds like a bargain compared to what I paid for my Beechcraft Bonanza which drinks 12 to 14 gallons of 100LL, which is also crazy expensive at the moment!
The questions I have is are these insured like a general aviation airplane? And if these are flown by folks with no prior knowledge of airspace, how do they know how to keep out of controlled airspace?
Quick question....Regarding the clip of the trike tipping over, was that at Springhill, LA?
Haha. I’m not sure. The person who filmed it sent it to me, but I’m pretty sure that he’s from Texas.
@@AnthonyVella It looks very similar to the airport there, I did my training with Kyle-O last year!
@@davidyoung518 awesome stuff! Kyle’s a great person.
280 lbs want a tandem to some day fly family need a trike cuz @ 61 knees and back are old. This the trike you recommended? Which wing. I’m in the Philippines so no FAA here
what is the size of the wing??
Howdy Anthony! Love your videos my friend
Sir, I do know that Transportation Canada "recommends" proper training and insurance, but was not made into law at one time. However, last I heard, there was plans to make those recommendations into full blown licensing laws. Has that not yet happened? Have you heard anything on this? I'm out of Ontario, and I'm so sick and tired of all the BS regulations we already have down this way, so believe me, my eyes are set on moving back out west on retirement...VERY SOON!
Hope you have a moment to reply back to me, and as always, stay safe in those big blue skies!
Soup :)
That is actually a powered parachute I've been flying them since the 80s when Para Plane was the only chute in the air. Yours has a buggy to ride on not a backpack
I must say, this IS a taste burger!
You’re a tasty burger!
What I'm finding is the Dellorto Carb on the 202/303 Polini are not setup great for ppg and cruising at low rpm seems to be a lean spot in the carb.
Good luck finding anything to adjust except the main jets. Tuning cruise rpm requires pilots, needle jets, needles, and throttle slides, none of this is in the US let alone knowing what parts are compatible. Needles listed for the VHST do not show the same overall length as the needle that comes with the 202/303.
hi antony
how much cost this paramotor?
Wait, so the second spark plug comes with a second magneto as well?
That's how it's in aviation engines, and that would make sense and justify the $1000 up price
Plus you should get a tad more power out if it actually.
That's something you could see or hear when testing the magnetos
Crazy stuff. Be careful.
I’ll try.
To carry a passenger is not covered under far103. Is it?
I caught that Vella!!!! Lol
Why doesn't the company test it at different altitudes and mark it so those that live at altitude can make the adjustments?
I'm a newbie trying to figure out how to get started in the sport....I'm getting conflicting information about whether I can legally take passengers without a sport license, according to this video it seems like there's a way around it......I would want to get proper training regardless.......
You do not need sport pilot's license. You require a tandem exemption. That require 100 hours of flying on a paramotor. Hope this helps. 😁
Thank you so much for clarifying that for me, very helpful!!!
Soo.... what did you name your trike? 😉
Oh yeah baby! Her name is Jolene! 😉 Thanks for coming up with it. Haha
@@AnthonyVella haha no problem! Great production value by the way. Next level for sure.
Great video!
I may be one of the few people you know to have purchased a trike and then started my training which I now know is exactly backwards.
If I'd have only seen a few of your videos I most certainly would have saved thousands of Dollars! But as the old saying goes ....
"You dont know what you don't know"
In that light your videos are invaluable to the sport because you simply stating the facts NOT sell a product. Like soo many others.
Bottom line. If you trust Fly Products with your families safety It must be good !
Not sure which I look forward to more? The next Harry Potter release or your new video??
Bob Mason
Thank you! I’m sure you’ll end up getting a proper trike very soon. I’m happy that you edit it going with the BGD Magic! I have no doubt that you’ll be very happy with that paraglider.
Sheisty way to do business. Vittorazi might as well say “if you start the engine it voids the warranty.”
If these Trikes Manufacturer's could just come up with a Great 4-Stroke Engine. I have watched many Paramotor Video's, it appears all 2 strokes have numerous amount of problems. Four Stroke engines are mostly Bullet Proof when it comes to engine problems.
I would hope that wouldn’t void your warranty
Paramotor trikes over 70kg, in the UK, are classed as Microlights, and as such require registration and pilots licensing.
I wonder if I’d be able to fly my footlaunch paramotor in the UK if I ever went to visit.
@@AnthonyVella Paramotor are restriction free at any weight, until you put wheels on them. Then they have a 154lbs maximum weight, beyond which they become microlights.
@@AnthonyVella ..and getting an actual airplane or helicopter private license in the US, is far easier than getting just a simple microlight license in the UK. Stupid British bureaucracy.
@@davidwebb4904 yikes! It’s the medical examination here that blocks so many people from being able to fly in the US.
@@AnthonyVella I got my CAA Private license years ago. The 3rd class medical wasn’t much more than, “Did you find your way to doctors office by yourself?, and “Do you have a pulse?”. In US, there is one simple multiple choice written test, for which you have the actual questions ahead of time. In the UK, I think there are SEVEN written tests. Meteorology, Radiotelephony, Air law, etc etc etc. And you actually do need to know the answers. And lets not even talk about the eye watering costs of all this nonsense. Literally EVERY landing or Touch and Go, there is a landing fee to be paid. An hour of touch and go traffic pattern practise can cost $150 by itself. Never ask ATC for anything, else you could receive a bill. Bottom line is, the UK does not want there to be any recreation aviation industry. Leaving those who want to get into the air limited to paramotors. A token gesture. And the VFR airspace map is a rats nest, and no high altitude flying. Just as well that drones have also been restricted out of existence, so paramotors can use the little space thats left down low. Its not a welcoming environment. I am sure the locals more familiar would say differently, but I am used to the wide open freedom of the States.
Finally found 14 minutes and 29 seconds of distraction free time. Roll tape...
Dis Viral yet??
The cheaper paragliders look a little to much like a flying pram