Rocky Mountain Wings Ridge Runner

Last updated
Rocky Mountain Wings Ridge Runner
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Rocky Mountain Wings
DesignerStace Schrader
Introduction2000
StatusProduction completed (2018)
Produced2000-2018
Number built68 (Ridge Runner 1, 2011)
15 (Ridge Runner 2, 2011)
59 (Ridge Runner 3, 2011)
4 (Ridge Runner 4, 2011)
Developed from Denney Kitfox

The Rocky Mountain Wings Ridge Runner is a family of American high wing, strut-braced, single engine, conventional landing gear aircraft that were designed by Stace Schrader and were produced by Rocky Mountain Wings of Nampa, Idaho for amateur construction from 2000 to 2018. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Contents

Following a lawsuit in 2018, and disputes with other customers, the company closed, production ended and its website was taken down by June 2019. [9] [10]

Design and development

Introduced at Airventure, Oshkosh, Wisconsin in July 2000, the first Ridge Runner was a single seater designed as an FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles compliant aircraft that would have an empty weight within that category's 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight limit. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

The designer, Stace Schrader was formerly involved with Avid Aircraft, the Denney Kitfox and Sky Raider LLC designs, all similar aircraft. The resulting aircraft was described by reviewer Andre Cliche as "a clone identical to its predecessors except for a few details like, for example the type of ailerons and balloon tires for rough terrain operations." [1]

The aircraft has an optional powder coated 4130 steel tube frame fuselage covered in doped fabric. The wing is constructed with aluminium tube spars and is also fabric-covered. The kit includes many pre-fabricated parts, including the wing ribs, seat belts and shoulder harnesses, wheels and tires. The manufacturer estimates the construction time as 250–600 hours, depending on the options selected and builder experience. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [11]

The Ridge Runner 1 requires a very light engine to remain under 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight and the specified engine remains the out-of-production 28 hp (21 kW) Rotax 277. [1]

Variants

Ridge Runner Model 1 Ultralight
Original model, a single seat, FAR 103 compliant aircraft, with a 247 lb (112 kg) empty weight when equipped with the out-of-production 28 hp (21 kW) Rotax 277 engine, or alternatively an experimental light sport aircraft. Acceptable power range 20 to 80 hp (15 to 60 kW). [1] [2] [4] [5] [12] [13]
Ridge Runner Model 2
Light sport or amateur-built version, similar to the Model 1, but with a jump seat added, though without dual controls, and an empty weight increased to 350 lb (159 kg), gross weight 950 lb (431 kg). Acceptable power range 28 to 52 hp (21 to 39 kW). The manufacturer says of this model: "Ridge Runner II is not a full two place. It has a small jump seat or cargo area" [1] [3] [12] [14] [15]
Ridge Runner Model 3
Light sport or amateur-built version, with two seats in tandem with dual controls. Standard engine is the Rotax 503 of 52 hp (39 kW). Acceptable power range 40 to 100 hp (30 to 75 kW). [4] [5] [12] [8] [16]
Ridge Runner Model 4
Light sport or amateur-built version, with two seats in side-by-side configuration with dual controls. Standard engine is the Rotax 912 of 80 hp (60 kW). Acceptable power range 45 to 120 hp (34 to 89 kW). [7]

Specifications (Ridge Runner 1 Ultralight)

Data from Kitplanes [2] [6]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chotia Weedhopper</span> American ultralight airplane

The Weedhopper is an American high-wing, tractor configuration, tricycle gear, two-axis control ultralight aircraft originally developed by John Chotia during the height of the 1970s ultralight boom and introduced in 1977. When it was in production the aircraft was sold as a kit for amateur construction and could be assembled in 25-30 man-hours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fisher FP-202 Koala</span> Canadian ultralight aircraft

The Fisher FP-202 Koala is a Canadian single-seat high wing, conventional landing gear, single engined light kit aircraft designed for construction by amateur builders. The aircraft was inspired by the design of the Piper J-3 Cub and outwardly resembles that design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fisher FP-404</span> Canadian homebuilt light aircraft

The Fisher FP-404 is a Canadian single-seat, conventional landing gear, single-engined biplane kit aircraft designed for construction by amateur builders. Fisher Flying Products was originally based in Edgeley, North Dakota, USA but the company is now located in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada.

The Fisher FP-505 Skeeter is a Canadian single-seat, conventional landing gear, single-engined parasol-wing monoplane kit aircraft designed for construction by amateur builders. Fisher Flying Products was originally based in Edgeley, North Dakota, USA but the company is now located in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada.

The Freebird I is an American single-seat, high wing, tricycle gear, single engined pusher configuration ultralight kit aircraft designed for construction by amateur builders by the Freebird Airplane Company of Marshville, North Carolina and later also produced by Pro Sport Aviation of Wingate, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sorrell Hiperlight</span> American ultralight biplane

The Sorrell Hiperlight is a family of single and two seat, negative stagger biplanes, designed for amateur construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hipp's Superbirds J-3 Kitten</span> Type of aircraft

The Hipp's Superbirds J-3 Kitten and related designs are a family of single-engined, single seat, high wing conventional landing gear-equipped aircraft available in kit form or as plans from Hipp's Superbirds of Saluda, North Carolina.

The Kolb Kolbra and King Kolbra are a family of American tandem two seater, high wing, strut-braced, pusher configuration, conventional landing gear-equipped ultralight aircraft that are produced in kit form by New Kolb Aircraft of London, Kentucky and intended for amateur construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ultravia Pelican</span> Type of aircraft

The Ultravia Pelican is the name given to two series of high-wing, single-engine, tractor configuration ultralight aircraft that were designed by Jean Rene Lepage and produced in kit form for amateur construction by Ultravia Aero International of Mascouche, Quebec and later Gatineau, Quebec.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rans S-12 Airaile</span> Type of aircraft

The Rans S-12 Airaile is a family of related American single-engined, pusher configuration, high-wing monoplanes designed by Randy Schlitter and manufactured by Rans Inc. The aircraft are available in kit form for amateur construction.

The Wood Sky Pup is an American single-seat, high wing, cantilever, single engine, conventional landing gear ultralight aircraft that was designed by Stephen K. Wood of Whitewater, Colorado for amateur construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flying K Sky Raider</span> Family of ultralight aircraft

The Flying K Sky Raider is a family of American, high wing, strut-braced, single engine, conventional landing gear ultralight aircraft that was designed by Ken Schrader and produced by Flying K Enterprises and later Sky Raider LLC of Caldwell, Idaho for amateur construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlson Sparrow</span> Type of aircraft

The Carlson Sparrow is a family of American, high wing, strut-braced, single engine, ultralight aircraft that was designed by Ernst W. Carlson and produced by Carlson Aircraft of East Palestine, Ohio and later Skyline Technologies of Salem, Ohio for amateur construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earthstar Thunder Gull</span> Type of aircraft

The Earthstar Thunder Gull is a family of cantilever high-wing, tricycle gear ultralight aircraft, manufactured by Earthstar Aircraft of Santa Margarita, California as a kit for amateur construction or as a completed aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Titan Tornado</span> American kit aircraft

The Titan Tornado is large family of cantilever high-wing, pusher configuration, tricycle gear-equipped kit aircraft manufactured by Titan Aircraft of Austinburg, Ohio, for amateur construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly</span> Type of aircraft

The Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly is an Australian-American two-seats-in-tandem, high-wing, strut-braced, open cockpit, conventional landing gear-equipped ultralight aircraft. The aircraft has been in production since 1990 and was designed as a special-purpose tug for hang gliders and ultralight sailplanes. It is available as a complete aircraft or as a kit for amateur construction. The aircraft has been variously produced by Moyes Microlights, Bailey-Moyes Microlights and currently LiteFlite of Botany, New South Wales, all different iterations of the same company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SlipStream Genesis</span> Type of aircraft

The SlipStream Genesis is a family of American, strut-braced, high wing, pusher configuration, tricycle gear aircraft, produced in kit form, for amateur construction. Designed by Chuck Hamilton, the series were originally produced by Innovation Engineering of Davenport, Iowa and more recently by SlipStream International of Wautoma, Wisconsin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M-Squared Breese</span> Type of aircraft

The M-Squared Breese is a large family of high-wing, strut-braced, pusher configuration, tricycle gear, ultralight aircraft produced by M-Squared Aircraft of St. Elmo, Alabama in kit form, for amateur construction.

The Howland H-3 Pegasus is an American ultralight aircraft that was designed by Bert Howland and made available by Howland Aero Design in the form of plans for amateur construction, with kits provided by Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. The H-3 first flew in 1988.

The Apex Eco 6 is the first of a family of Czech single and two seat flying wing ultralight trikes that were designed and produced by To-Mi Aviation and later by Apex Aviation. The aircraft were supplied as kits for amateur construction.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-52. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN   0-9680628-1-4
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Downey, Julia: 2001 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 12, December 2000, page 72. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  3. 1 2 3 4 Downey, Julia: 2002 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 18, Number 12, December 2001, page 64. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Newby-Gonzalez, Tori: 2004 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 20, Number 12, December 2003, page 77. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Downey, Julia: 2005 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 78. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  6. 1 2 3 4 Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2008, page 70. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  7. 1 2 Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 69. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  8. 1 2 Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 123. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN   1368-485X
  9. ↑ Rocky Mountain Wings. "Ridge Runner Aircraft". realflying.com. Archived from the original on 27 June 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  10. ↑ Kennedy, Mary Gay (24 January 2018). "DANIEL MASON and KIRA BARBER, Plaintiffs v . ROCKY MOUNTAIN WINGS, LLC and STACE SCHRADER, Defendants". law.justia.com. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  11. ↑ Rocky Mountain Wings. "Kit Features" . Retrieved 11 January 2011.
  12. 1 2 3 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 117. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  13. ↑ Rocky Mountain Wings. "Model 1 Ultralight" . Retrieved 11 January 2011.
  14. ↑ Rocky Mountain Wings. "The Model II Experimental w/ Jump Seat/Baggage Area" . Retrieved 11 January 2011.
  15. ↑ Rocky Mountain Wings. "Ridge Runner Ultralight Specs" . Retrieved 11 January 2011.
  16. ↑ Rocky Mountain Wings. "The Model III Dual Tandem Seating!!" . Retrieved 11 January 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.