Rocky Mountain Wings Ridge Runner

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]

Rocky Mountain Wings Ridge Runner
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Rocky Mountain Wings
Designer Stace Schrader
Introduction 2000
Status Production completed (2018)
Produced 2000-2018
Number built 68 (Ridge Runner 1, 2011)
15 (Ridge Runner 2, 2011)
59 (Ridge Runner 3, 2011)
4 (Ridge Runner 4, 2011)
Unit cost
US$14,900 (kit, less engine, 2015)
Developed from Denney Kitfox

Following a lawsuit in 2018 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

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 17 ft 0 in (5.18 m)
  • Wingspan: 26 ft 2 in (7.98 m)
  • Height: 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
  • Wing area: 99.4 sq ft (9.23 m2)
  • Empty weight: 247 lb (112 kg)
  • Gross weight: 900 lb (408 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 5 US gallons (19 litres)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 277 , 28 hp (21 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 55 mph (89 km/h, 48 kn)
  • Stall speed: 23 mph (37 km/h, 20 kn)
  • Range: 140 mi (230 km, 120 nmi)
  • Rate of climb: 700 ft/min (3.6 m/s)
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See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References
  1. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-52. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  2. Downey, Julia: 2001 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 12, December 2000, page 72. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  3. Downey, Julia: 2002 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 18, Number 12, December 2001, page 64. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  4. Newby-Gonzalez, Tori: 2004 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 20, Number 12, December 2003, page 77. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  5. Downey, Julia: 2005 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 78. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  6. Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2008, page 70. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  7. Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 69. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  8. 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. 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.
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