Skycatcher par deux

Talk about airplanes! At last count, there are 39 (and growing) FAA certificated S-LSA (special light sport aircraft). These are factory-built ready to fly airplanes. If you can't afford a factory-built LSA, consider buying an E-LSA kit (experimental LSA - up to 99% complete).

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Warmi
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Re: Skycatcher par deux

Post by Warmi »

Sting S4 at 840 with 480 usefull ,that’s with BRS and autopilot but with only basic glass panel.
Flying Sting S4 ( N184WA ) out of Illinois
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dstclair
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Re: Skycatcher par deux

Post by dstclair »

Warmi wrote:Sting S4 at 840 with 480 usefull ,that’s with BRS and autopilot but with only basic glass panel.
Pretty good example of the plumping of the LSA's. My Sting S3 comes in at 804lbs with all the wizbangs I could have at the time along with upgrades over the last 10 years (Dual Dynons, Garmin 795, 2 axis AP, ADS-B in and ADS-B out). The 516 lb useful load works well for MY mission -- me and my wife come in at 330lbs, full fuel is 132lbs (22 gallons -- no extended range tanks nor did I want them) and ~50lbs worth of stuff. This config gives me 21.5 usable gallons which is conservatively 3:45 of range with 45 minutes reserve.
dave
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Warmi
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Re: Skycatcher par deux

Post by Warmi »

Hmm... do I look fat ?
:D
Flying Sting S4 ( N184WA ) out of Illinois
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drseti
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Re: Skycatcher par deux

Post by drseti »

No, Warmi, it's: do these wheel pants make me look fat?
The opinions posted are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the FAA or its lawyers.
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Warmi
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Re: Skycatcher par deux

Post by Warmi »

Heh .. indeed ,she may be a bit porky but still ...looks mighty good.

Image
Flying Sting S4 ( N184WA ) out of Illinois
HAPPYDAN
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Re: Skycatcher par deux

Post by HAPPYDAN »

If anyone is interested, this looks like the registration application data for the Vashon Ranger:
http://www.aviationdb.com/Aviation/Airc ... 131VR.shtm
I personally can't imagine why anyone would want to enter the LSA market at this time. So many good choices, none cheap. Not a real vibrant market either. But, like they say, if you don't try, you won't fly.
c162pilot
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Re: Skycatcher par deux

Post by c162pilot »

Website now live: http://vashonaircraft.com

Good overview video:
Image
Let the debate continue...
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Warmi
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Re: Skycatcher par deux

Post by Warmi »

It is actually reasonably priced but ... it is damn heavy with empty weight close to 900 lbs and that’s without a chute.

They could have gone with rotax 915 at that weight - turbocharged , fuel injected and more powerful than O200.
Flying Sting S4 ( N184WA ) out of Illinois
c162pilot
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Re: Skycatcher par deux

Post by c162pilot »

If you review the Website you will see they are stressing the American made angle, from airframe to avionics to engine and propellor and all made of metal. Perhaps the RV12 or Cub crowd may find this aircraft attractive. Will be interesting to see how many of the 5 planes they bring to Oshkosh they actually sell. Remember Glasair is just up the road from these guys and they have been promoting their aircraft, the Merlin, for almost 5 years now and still have nothing to show for it. In reality this is really a one person aircraft of simple design which should be simple to maintain anywhere in the USA.
HAPPYDAN
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Re: Skycatcher par deux

Post by HAPPYDAN »

But ya gotta luv that scenery! AOPA ran a test report on a (very) rare clear day here.
Wm.Ince
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Re: Skycatcher par deux

Post by Wm.Ince »

I predict a major flop.
Way . . way too heavy.
Bill Ince
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Warmi
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Re: Skycatcher par deux

Post by Warmi »

c162pilot wrote:If you review the Website you will see they are stressing the American made angle, from airframe to avionics to engine and propellor and all made of metal. Perhaps the RV12 or Cub crowd may find this aircraft attractive. Will be interesting to see how many of the 5 planes they bring to Oshkosh they actually sell. Remember Glasair is just up the road from these guys and they have been promoting their aircraft, the Merlin, for almost 5 years now and still have nothing to show for it. In reality this is really a one person aircraft of simple design which should be simple to maintain anywhere in the USA.
To be honest thought , the Merlin does look like it will fold if you just look at it a bit too intensely ..and this one looks much better and more sturdy.
Flying Sting S4 ( N184WA ) out of Illinois
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Re: Skycatcher par deux

Post by drseti »

Wm.Ince wrote:I predict a major flop.
Way . . way too heavy.
Not if customers adopt a "wink wink, nudge nudge" attitude toward the LSA max gross rule (which I fear some will).
The opinions posted are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof H Paul Shuch
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c162pilot
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Re: Skycatcher par deux

Post by c162pilot »

Good review from Kitplanes Magazine: https://newsline.kitplanes.com/2018/02/ ... on-ranger/
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MrMorden
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Re: Skycatcher par deux

Post by MrMorden »

Warmi wrote:Sting S4 at 840 with 480 usefull ,that’s with BRS and autopilot but with only basic glass panel.
My airplane has a "basic" glass panel (Dynon D100), but all that is relative. My "basic" glass gives me airspeed, altimeter, vertical speed, slip/skid ball, heading (with bug), attitude indicator with bank angle and pitch angle increments, flight timers, checklists, G-meter, OAT, density altitude, TAS, bus volts, and working with the GPS gives me a simulated HSI. Functions I don't have connected include AoA and a built-in autopilot.

It's funny what people get used to and consider "basic"... :lol:
Andy Walker
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Sport Pilot ASEL, LSRI
2007 Flight Design CTSW E-LSA
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