Company type | Private company |
---|---|
Industry | Aerospace |
Founder | Mike Blyth |
Headquarters | Dal Fouche, Springs, Gauteng, South Africa |
Key people | Former Chief Engineer & Designer: Vladimir Chechin |
Products | Light-sport aircraft Ultralight aircraft |
Website | www |
Rainbow SkyReach (Pty) Ltd is a South African aircraft manufacturer based at the Springs Airfield in Dal Fouche, Springs, Gauteng. It was formerly known as Rainbow Aircraft (Pty) Ltd. The company specialises in the design and manufacture of fixed-wing Light-sport aircraft.
The company was founded by Mike Blyth in South Africa as Rainbow Aircraft (Pty) Ltd. Vladimir Chechin came as a visitor to the country from Russia in 1994 and decided to immigrate, finding work at Blyth's company. In 2002 Chechin purchased the company from Blyth.
The company's name was changed to Rainbow SkyReach (Pty) Ltd in the 2010s and the Rainbow Cheetah was developed into the SkyReach BushCat.
In May 2024, the company announced that it would stop manufacturing new aircraft. However, it would continue on as a maintenance organisation to service the existing fleet, both locally as well as supplying parts internationally. In November of the same year, it was announced that the company would cease trading, and the company Inteliectual Property and manufacturing rights had been bought by Bushcat Aircraft Australia.
Aircraft
Model name | First flight | Number built | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Rainbow Aerotrike Cobra | 70 (2005) | Ultralight trike | |
Rainbow Aerotrike Safari | 45 (2000) | Ultralight trike | |
Rainbow Aerotrike Scout | 45 (2000) | Ultralight trike | |
Rainbow Aerotrike Spirit | Ultralight trike | ||
Rainbow Cheetah | Fixed-wing Light-sport aircraft | ||
Rainbow Cheetah XLS | 2012 | Fixed-wing light-sport aircraft | |
SkyReach BushCat | 2014 | Fixed-wing light-sport aircraft |
References
- Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 73. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ Alison, Steve and Athol Franz (March 2009). "History of Rainbow - Vladimir Chechin". Retrieved 16 April 2012.
- Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page C-1. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
- Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 108. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
- Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 235. BAI Communications. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
- Downey, Julia: 2000 Trike and 'Chute Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 2, February 2000, page 49. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
- Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 49. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
- Sky Reach Aircraft. "About Us". www.fly-skyreach.com. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
- Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 80. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
- https://posts.gle/WM7uKh
External links
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