I got to see it at sun n fun 2019..great looking airplane with an awesome 0-200 continental engine..to my surprise the person who greeted me and let me inside the aircraft was none other but John himself..great guy and very down to earth. I hope to talk the wife into getting the Ranger soon!!.
I intend to buy one. All the complaints about useful load are ridiculous because as an LSA, with the 1,320 lb. max takeoff weight, you can go about 450 miles carrying an average weight pilot of 170 lb. as well as a petite young lady of child of 100 lbs or so. That would be approximately a four hour ride. Who wants that? Go 300 mile legs instead and be able to take two average people. Not bad for a $100,000 new bird with a real and proven 100 h.p. Continental O-200-D engine up front.
Has anything been done about the really, really low useful load? This wouldn't even be a good trainer if you can't handle 2 fatter folks and any fuel at all. Great idea, poor execution for it's intended goal. As a single seater, it's fine....
Any FAA LSA weight increases won't be in effect for years I'm lead to believe. Why not just make an airplane WITH a useful load? Great idea, poor execution.
Light Sport and Ultralight Flyer so it was designed with floats in mind....as far as i know..there is no way to fly this plane beyond the current LSA gross weights..unless the FAA decided to raise the gross of LSA aircraft definition. This airplane will go the way of the Cessna 162. It has zero useful load and does not have the ability to use MOGAS.
Please note: I am no doubt a huge fan of the Vashon Ranger and its use of the Continental power-plant...and reason they do. But, make the following options standard or available, and enjoy the increased continued success: *RELOCATE THE TWO SUPPORTS THAT INTERFERE WITH FORWARD VIEW/SCANNING- *OFFER OPTIONAL DUAL SIDE-STICK OPTION OR DUAL RAM HORN, PRIMARILY FOR TRAINING MARKET, AMONG OTHER REASONS- *T-HANDLE THROTTLE LEVER/QUADRANT, PRIMARILY FOR THE TRAINER MARKET, AMONG OTHER REASONS- *OFFER LIGHT-WEIGHT/STURDY CARBON FIBER WHEEL PANTS- *OFFER A JET-A POWER-PLANT OPTION- (Looking very forward to the more powerful 2-place Ranger for PPL holders and someday, the 4-place model Ranger. Please never lose focus on keeping cost/retail price down).
