SkyRanger LSA

Doug Koenigsberg, Owner of SkyRanger Aircraft Company, Inc., is an experienced pilot and SkyRanger builder, holding Commercial, Instrument and Ultralight Flight Instructor credentials. As CEO, he is responsible for sales and management of SkyRanger Aircraft Company.

In an exclusive interview with him, ANN learned that the SkyRanger was designed by Philippe Prevot in Toulouse, France, during the early 90's. The goal was to produce a high performance, two-seat ultralight airplane of the simplest possible construction to be assembled, inspected and repaired by anybody. Structural studies were done by one of the most respected aeronautical schools, ENSICA, that confirmed both the strength and light weight of the craft using only straight tubes without welding.

Sky Rangers were then manufactured in France from 1992 to 1997 under license by SYNAIRGIE. The SkyRanger is today manufactured under license by Aeros LTD in the Ukraine, by ex-Antonov workers, to very high standards. More than six-hundred planes are now flying all around the world, with more than 100 of them in the United States, according to the factory.

"The SkyRanger is a little bit of a high-end ultralight rather than lower-end general aviation airplane. It is a straight-forward structure that doesn't put off builders. It has roomy seats, is built light and "will haul two fat guys and fuel," according to Koenigsberg.

The SkyRanger company likes the sport pilot and light-sport aircraft rule although the regulation is still in its infancy and there are a lot of unknowns and nuances that have not been refined. So it is a little hard to judge. There is more general understanding than earlier this year.

Because of the new rules, SkyRanger is considering a shorter wing which will bring a little bit more speed. There is supposed to be a secret new wing in development which Koenigsberg will be able to talk more about in upcoming months.

Koenigsberg thinks that sport pilot and light-sport aircraft is headed toward a period of consolidation of the many manufacturers around today. He is taking a pessimistic approach to assure survival through the upcoming industry shakeout. So SkyRanger is trying to be a little bit cagy to assure to be around later.

Maintaining good customer service is important. They are still deciding if they want to open dealerships around the country or to keep sales factory direct. There are advantages and disadvantages either way. "We are probably leaning toward a dealer network," Koenigsberg said.

SkyRanger is expecting steady growth rather than explosive growth. And the whole marketing of sport pilot needs a lot of development. The product is available, but manufacturers haven't developed the market and Koenigsberg thinks that it is probably not enough to just park the planes on the ramp and wait for customers to come.

Finally, Koenigsberg said he bought the company because he loved to fly the SkyRanger. It was the first ultralight he ever flew. Koenigsberg said the most fun about this business is after a customer builds his airplane and flies it and then tells you how excited they are and how well it performed. "We have a pretty satisfied customer base."

FMI skyrangeraircraft.com