Vashon Ranger R7
{{Short description|American light-sport aircraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2018}}
| {{Infobox aircraft begin
| name = Ranger R7 | image = Vashon Ranger R7 Redwood (N513JG, cn 10143) (8-30-2022).jpg | caption = Vashon Ranger R7 Redwood }}{{Infobox aircraft type | type = Light-sport aircraft | national origin = United States | manufacturer = Vashon Aircraft | designer = | first flight = | introduced = | retired = | status = In production (2021) | primary user = | more users = | produced = 2017-present | number built = 103 (October 2024) | developed from = | variants with their own articles = }} |
The Vashon Ranger R7 is an American light-sport aircraft designed and produced by Vashon Aircraft of Woodinville, Washington. It was formally introduced at the AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in July 2018. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.{{cite web|url = https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Vashon-Aircraft-Launches-Ranger-R7-230377-1.html|title = Vashon Aircraft Launches Ranger R7|accessdate = 2 March 2018|last = Grady|first = Mary|work = AVweb|date = 28 February 2018}}
Design and development
The development of the Ranger R7 started in about 2013. By February 2018, two prototypes were flying and four production aircraft were under construction for April 2018 delivery.
The aircraft is an all-metal monocoque design and features a cantilever high-wing, two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cabin, fixed tricycle landing gear with a castering nosewheel, and a single engine in tractor configuration. The aircraft is made from pre-painted sheet 6061-T6 aluminum to save construction time. The seats fold flat to allow sleeping in the cabin when camping.
The company manufactures the majority of parts itself to reduce costs and shorten the supply chain.
By January 2018, the design had been accepted by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a light-sport aircraft.{{cite web|url = https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/gen_av/light_sport/media/SLSA_Directory.xlsx|title = SLSA Make/Model Directory|accessdate = 2 March 2018|author = Federal Aviation Administration|date = 11 January 2018}}
Operational history
By May 2017, one example had been registered in the United States with the FAA.{{cite web|url = http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=&Modeltxt=RANGER+R7+&PageNo=1|title = Make / Model Inquiry Results|accessdate = 2 March 2018|author = Federal Aviation Administration|date = 2 March 2018}}
In a review of the design on AVweb, writer Paul Bertorelli indicated that the aircraft suffers from a low useful load of {{convert|438|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} due to the choice of the old-technology Continental O-200D engine, which is at least {{convert|50|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} heavier than other newer engines.{{cite web|url = https://www.avweb.com/blogs/insider/Is-the-Vashon-Ranger-The-New-150-230783-1.html|title = Is the Vashon Ranger The New 150?|access-date = 7 May 2018|last = Bertorelli|first = Paul|work = AVweb|date = 6 May 2018 }}
By April 2019, 12 production aircraft had been delivered to customers, which included individuals and flight schools.{{cite web|url = http://flash.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Vashon-Delivers-12-Rangers-232569-1.html|title = Vashon Delivers 12 Rangers|access-date = 5 April 2019|last = Niles |first = Russ |work = AVweb|date = 4 April 2019}} By August 2021, 50 aircraft had been delivered;{{cite web|url = https://www.heraldnet.com/business/another-airplane-manufacturer-relocates-to-arlington-airport/|title = Another airplane manufacturer relocates to Arlington airport|access-date = 3 September 2021|last = Podsada |first = Janice |work = HeraldNet|date = 2 September 2021}} by November 2021, 66 had been delivered.{{cite web|url= https://www.avweb.com/insider/airplane-sales-go-haywire/|title= Airplane Sales Go Haywire|access-date= 15 November 2021|last= Bertorelli|first= Paul|work= AVweb|date= 14 November 2021 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20211115182328/https://www.avweb.com/insider/airplane-sales-go-haywire/?MailingID=770|archive-date= 15 November 2021|url-status= live}} As of October 2024, 103 aircraft are on the FAA registry.{{Cite web |date=October 3, 2024 |title= |url=https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/MakeModelResult}}
Variants
= Ranger R7 Yellowstone=
Base model powered by a {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Continental O-200-D four-stroke, air-cooled powerplant and fitted with a Dynon SkyView Touch glass cockpit avionics system. No longer in production.
= Ranger R7 Glacier =
Intermediate model powered by a {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Continental O-200-D four-stroke, air-cooled powerplant and fitted with a 10" Dynon SkyView HDX glass cockpit avionics system, additional exterior options are also available. This variant is now the base model aircraft available.{{Cite web|url=https://vashonaircraft.com/ranger-pricing.php|title=Ranger R7 Pricing {{!}} Vashon Aircraft|website=vashonaircraft.com|access-date=2020-03-27}}
= Ranger R7 Redwood =
= Ranger R7 Cascade =
IFR Capable model powered by a {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Continental O-200-D four-stroke, air-cooled powerplant and fitted with dual 10" Dynon SkyView HDX glass cockpit avionics system as well a Garmin GTN 650Xi (GPS/MFD/COM/NAV), additional exterior options are also available.
Specifications (R7)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Grady and manufacturer{{cite web|url = http://www.vashonaircraft.com/ranger.php|title = Ranger R7|accessdate = 2 March 2018|author=Vashon Aircraft |work = www.vashonaircraft.com|year=2018}}{{cite web|url = https://vashonaircraft.com/downloads/manuals/Ranger-POH.5_6_19.pdf|title = Ranger-POH.5_6_19.pdf|accessdate = 2 September 2021|author=Vashon Aircraft |work = www.vashonaircraft.com|year=2019}}
|prime units?=kts
|genhide=
|crew=one
|capacity=one passenger
|length m=
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|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=
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|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=875
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=1320
|gross weight note=
|fuel capacity={{convert|28|u.s.gal}}
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Continental O-200-D
|eng1 type=four cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=100
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=Catto 2B-70x48 fixed pitch
|prop dia m=
|prop dia ft=5
|prop dia in=10
|prop note=
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|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=117
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed kts=114
|cruise speed note=at gross weight, 2700 RPM, 7500 ft density altitude
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed kts=45
|stall speed note=in cruise configuration at gross weight
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=131
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=
|range miles=
|range nmi=501
|range note=at gross weight, 2700 RPM, 7500 ft density altitude, 30 minute reserve
|endurance=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=12,000
|ceiling note=
|g limits=+4.0/-2.0
|roll rate=
|glide ratio=
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=833
|climb rate note= at gross weight, VY 75 KIAS, sea level
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|wing loading lb/sqft=
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|avionics=
- Dynon SkyView HDX 10" touch screen glass panel avionics system with Wi-Fi (Dual in Redwood & Cascade Variants)
- Dynon SkyView Two-Axis Autopilot with Level Button
- Dynon SkyView Mode S Transponder with 2020-Compliant ADS-B Out
- Dynon SkyView COM Radio with Two-Place Intercom
- Garmin GTN 650Xi (Cascade Variant Only)
}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website|http://www.vashonaircraft.com/}}
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExL7bDb_zZA Video review on AVweb]
Category:2010s United States sport aircraft
Category:2010s United States civil utility aircraft