AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 70

The Ranger was delightfully obedient and confidence-inspiring throughout
a full day of flying-but there were a few
objectionable noises. A metal panel on the
fuselage would "oil can" with a bang whenever we accelerated through 80 knots, and
when approaching the critical angle of
attack, roiling air made it sound like someone was shaking the lid on a metal trash can.
I'm sure these sounds can be suppressed
with a few strategically placed stiffeners.
The more we flew, the less I found
myself thinking about the airplane itself.
Instead of demanding attention, the
Ranger recedes into a sublime platform
for aerial viewing. And it goes where you
point it effortlessly.
"The airplane's visibility encourages
you to keep your eyes looking outside,"
Kruger said. "Its responsive handling qualities buttress safety, too."
TRIPLE THREAT

THE VIEW from the Ranger cockpit is

expansive despite the thick spar in the
one-piece wing (opposite, top left). The
tail is traditional except for an antiservo
tab (opposite, top right) that increases
yaw stability. Big vent windows and the
lack of a wing strut will make the Ranger
a popular photo platform. A sturdy nosewheel (and big tires) is meant to stand up
to abuse. Vashon Aircraft has a regional
flavor. It's named for Vashon Island in the
Puget Sound, and the company logo
(opposite) has an image of Mount Rainier.

The Ranger is an economical trainer, a
capable adventure machine-and a compelling value. That's an especially rare
thing to say about a new airplane because
so few brand-new models can truly justify their price premiums over used ones.
The Ranger doesn't suffer by comparison
because there are no other backcountry/
trainer/SLSAs with similar speed, range,
or internal volume. The CubCrafters
Carbon Cub, consistently the top-selling U.S. SLSA, is a better backcountry

airplane-but it's not a primary trainer,
and its price point is far higher.
The Ranger reminds me of a Honda
Element, a cleverly designed vehicle that
appeals to outdoor enthusiasts. Both can
carry mountain bikes and bulky gear, and
their seats fold flat so you can camp in
them.
Best of all, this is only the beginning
for Vashon Aircraft. The young company
makes no secret of its desire to make the
Ranger a foundation for future designs
including, perhaps, FAR Part 23 models.
Part of Dynon's success is that it takes
the risk-and absorbs the cost-of building avionics in advance and stocking
them so that they're ready to ship on the
day they're ordered. By starting Ranger
production before the airplane is even
revealed, Vashon Aircraft is taking a similar approach.
Vashon will fly multiple Rangers to
EAA AirVenture in 2018 for their debut at
the world's biggest airshow. My chief concern about the Ranger is whether Vashon
Aircraft will be able to keep up with
demand once this unique airplane's capabilities are widely known.
The Ranger isn't just an airplane that
individuals, flight schools, and clubs are
going to want to have. It's an airplane
they'll feel they really need-and they'll
be right.
AOPA
EMAIL dave.hirschman@aopa.org

SPEC SHEET
Vashon Aircraft Ranger
PRICE: $99,500
SPECIFICATIONS

PERFORMANCE

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Powerplant | Continental O-200D, 100 hp

Takeoff distance, ground roll | 315 ft

Contact Vashon Aircraft, 425-527-9944

Length | 21 ft 9 in

Rate of climb, sea level | 1,035 fpm

www.vashonaircraft.com

Height | 8 ft 4 in

Max level speed, sea level | 119 kt

Wingspan | 29 ft 6 in

Service ceiling | 12,000 ft

All specifications are based on manufactur-

Wing area | 135.6 sq ft

Landing distance, ground roll | 475 ft

er's calculations. All performance figures

Wing loading | 9.7 lb/sq ft

are based on standard day, standard atmo-

Seats | 2

LIMITING AND RECOMMENDED AIRSPEEDS

sphere, sea level, gross weight conditions

Empty weight | 880 lb

VY (best rate of climb at sea level) | 75 KIAS

unless otherwise noted.

Max gross weight | 1,320 lb

VFE (max flap extended) | 90 KIAS

Useful load | 440 lb

VS1 (stall, clean) | 45 KIAS

EXTRA A roomy cockpit, comfortable seat-

Payload w/full fuel | 271 lb

VSO (stall, in landing configuration) | 42 KIAS

ing, exceptional visibility, and responsive

Fuel capacity, std | 28.1 gal, 169 lb

VNE Never exceed speed | 131 kt

handling give the Ranger a big-airplane
feel despite its light weight.

70 | AOPA PILOT April 2018


http://www.vashonaircraft.com

AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018

Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - Intro
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - Cover1
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - Cover2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 4
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 5
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 6
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 7
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 8
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 9
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 10
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 11
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 12
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 13
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 14
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 16
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 17
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 18
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 19
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 20
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 21
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 24
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 26
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 31
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 33
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - 34
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - Cover3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2018 - Cover4
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