Flying K Sky Raider

The Flying K Sky Raider is a family of American, high wing, strut-braced, single engine, conventional landing gear ultralight aircraft that was designed by Ken Schrader and produced by Flying K Enterprises and later Sky Raider LLC of Caldwell, Idaho for amateur construction.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

Flying K Sky Raider
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Flying K Enterprises
Sky Raider LLC
Designer Ken Schrader[1]
First flight 1996
Status In production (2015)
Number built 50 (Sky Raider 2007)
Developed from Denney Kitfox

Design and development

First flown in 1996, the original Sky Raider is a single seater designed as an FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles compliant aircraft with an empty weight within that category's 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight limit, when equipped with a light enough engine. The Sky Raider can also be built in the US homebuilt and light-sport aircraft categories and in the United Kingdom as a BCAR Section S microlight. The design was developed from the Avid Flyer and the Denney Kitfox and the designer formerly worked for both those companies.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

The aircraft has a 4130 steel tube frame fuselage and a wing constructed from aluminium tubing, all covered in doped fabric. The wings are equipped with slotted-style flaps and fold for transport or storage without a requirement to disconnect the flaps and ailerons. The landing gear is bungee suspended. The Sky Raider has a fully enclosed cockpit design, allowing flying in cooler weather. The Sky Raider is available as a kit, including quick-build options, including a pre-welded fuselage and quick-build wings. The power range is 28 to 50 hp (21 to 37 kW) and original standard engine specified was the 28 hp (21 kW) Rotax 277 with the 40 hp (30 kW) Rotax 447 as an optional, although the additional weight would probably put the aircraft in the US homebuilt category.[1][2][3][5][6][7][8]

The Sky Raider can be equipped with floats and skis.[7]

Variants
Sky Raider
Original single seat high wing US FAR Part 103 ultralight powered by a 28 hp (21 kW) Rotax 277 or homebuilt powered by 40 hp (30 kW) Rotax 447 engine. Production completed[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Sky Raider II
Stretched version with two seats in tandem, a gross weight of 950 lb (431 kg), an acceptable power range of 60 to 80 hp (45 to 60 kW). Engines used include the two-stroke 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 and the four-stroke 60 hp (45 kW) HKS 700E engine. Described as an "intimate tandem two seater" due to the small rear seat space. Production completed.[2][7][9]
Super Sky Raider
Two seats in tandem, a gross weight of 1,050 lb (476 kg), an acceptable power range of 50 to 80 hp (37 to 60 kW). Engines used include the 80 hp (60 kW) Jabiru 2200 engine. In production, with fifty completed and flying by 2011.[7][10][11][12][13]
Frontier
Two seats in tandem, a gross weight of 1,600 lb (726 kg) and floats as an option. Engines used include the 130 hp (97 kW) Lycoming O-290 engine and the 85 hp (63 kW) Jabiru 2200. Floats are optional. In production, with two completed and flying by 2011, the construction time is estimated at 300–400 hours.[10][11][12][13]

Specifications (Sky Raider)

Data from Cliche and Kitplanes[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 17 ft 0 in (5.18 m)
  • Wingspan: 26 ft 3 in (8.00 m)
  • Wing area: 110 sq ft (10 m2)
  • Empty weight: 240 lb (109 kg)
  • Gross weight: 500 lb (227 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 5 US gallons (19 litres)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 277 , 28 hp (21 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 63 mph (101 km/h, 55 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 60 mph (97 km/h, 52 kn)
  • Stall speed: 23 mph (37 km/h, 20 kn)
  • Range: 120 mi (190 km, 100 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 11,000 ft (3,400 m)
  • Rate of climb: 450 ft/min (2.3 m/s)

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  1. Downey, Julia: 2002 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 18, Number 12, December 2001, page 42 and 86. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  2. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, pages B-55 and B102. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  3. Downey, Julia: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 49. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  4. Downey, Julia: 2001 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 12, December 2000, page 54. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  5. Newby-Gonzalez, Tori: 2004 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 20, Number 12, December 2003, page 77. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  6. Downey, Julia: 2005 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 79. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  7. Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 53. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  8. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter – Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 166. BAI Communications. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  9. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003–04, page 142. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  10. Sky Raider LLC (2010). "Sky Raider Aircraft". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  11. Vandermeullen, Richard: 2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 70. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  12. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011–12, page 119. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  13. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015–16, page 125. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
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