I built a Nynja

[cscotthendry]

 

My Nynja build is finished and now all that's left to do before the test flight is the weight and balance and the paperwork.

 

I would like to thank:

 

Mal McKenzie, for introducing me to the Skyranger aircraft

 

Greg Robertson, for his unflagging support and advice through the purchase and build

 

Bill Oates for helping me with the final inspection and finding those last few gremlins

 

But most of all, My wife for her support, encouragement, patience with my endless airplane discussions and her enthusiasm and willingness to get involved in flying and the build.

 

 

[Guest pookemon]

Congratz Scott - that's a nice looking example. I hope you have many, many hours of fun from it!

 

 

[ben87r]

What is the expected performance on it? and can you tell us a bit about it? she does look nice

 

 

[RetiredRacer]

Well done Scott, it looks great! Congratulations!

 

 

[fly_tornado]

looks really nice, new travels await you.

 

 

[alf jessup]

My Nynja build is finished and now all that's left to do before the test flight is the weight and balance and the paperwork.

I would like to thank:

 

Mal McKenzie, for introducing me to the Skyranger aircraft

 

Greg Robertson, for his unflagging support and advice through the purchase and build

 

Bill Oates for helping me with the final inspection and finding those last few gremlins

 

But most of all, My wife for her support, encouragement, patience with my endless airplane discussions and her enthusiasm and willingness to get involved in flying and the build.

Welcome Scott,

 

To the DARK side and enjoy your beast.

 

Looks great mate, job well done.

 

Alf

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

Looks great, Scott! One of life's great opportunities is to build and fly your own plane, and you have done it.

 

 

[cscotthendry]

Thanks to all for your kind words.

 

The Nynja should cruise at around 100Kts at 5000 RPM. Greg's airplane does and I've no reason to think mine will do any different. It may take some time to get everything tweaked up for best performance ie prop pitch and flap angles.

 

The empty weight of a Nynja should come in around 280-290Kg empty weight if you have the locally made 94L aluminium tank. It is certified at 540Kg MTOW which allows for two 90Kg occupants, 94L of fuel and 10Kg of luggage.

 

Assuming a burn of 20L/Hr with the 912ULS, that gives just under 4 hours flying with a 3/4Hr reserve. That should translate to a range of about 400NM (assuming no headwind) In practice, the Rotax engine will usually burn a bit less than 20L/Hr, so there is probably a bit more safety margin in those numbers.

 

@Ben87r: They only come as a kit. The kit is manufactured by Best Off Aircraft in France and sold locally by Best Off aircraft's local distributor, Greg Robertson.

 

http://www.skyranger.com.au/index.html

 

The kit is very quick and easy to construct and requires virtually no specialised tools or expertise. There are only two specialised tools that if used, make the build a bit easier; A dremel tool, and a set of clecos (and pliers).

 

Edit:

 

The nice looking finish is the fibreglass shell just as it comes out of the crate. That means NO PAINTING REQUIRED.

 

 

[MrH]

Great effort - now the pride & fun of flying something you built. Enjoy

 

Cheers

 

H

 

 

[Hongie]

very nice mate! what sort of build time and cost is involved?

 

 

[cscotthendry]

Hongie:

 

It took me about 8 months to build, but that is VERY slow. Greg built his in 10 weeks.

 

When it is flying, I think it will owe me about $60K.

 

 

[ben87r]

Had a look at the website very nice machine indeed

 

 

[Neil_S]

Excellent job - well done!

 

Cheers

 

Neil

 

 

[Guest Howard Hughes]

Great looking machine.

 

 

[corvairkr]

Congratulations Scott, what a nice looking aero plane ......I just checked out the website I didn't realise what a capable machine the Nynja is ....top stuff .

 

Jason

 

 

[hihosland]

Congratulations Scott, what a nice looking aero plane ......I just checked out the website I didn't realise what a capable machine the Nynja is ....top stuff .Jason

There is a reason that Skyranger is one of the most popular training aircraft in Europe and I believe the most popular in the UK.

Capable, versatile, strong, very benign to fly, and one of the fastest and easiest kits to assemble.

 

 

[corvairkr]

Hey Scott, i enjoyed your write up in the latest mag just wondering if she's had her maiden flight yet?

 

jason

 

 

[cscotthendry]

I've got the rego papers back from RA-Aus and now just waiting for the weather and my schedule to line up with the test pilot's schedule. Won't be long though.

 

LOL, I didn't know they published that until people started emailing me. Where I live, I get the mail a day later than on the mainland.

 

 

[Louis Moore]

Great looking aircraft, hope she flies as sweet as she looks.

 

 

[hihosland]

Pilot Stops at Oshkosh on Around the World Flight

 

 

 

Thierry Barbier and his Bestoff Sky Rangers have been to 83 countries-so far.

 

June 7, 2012 - French pilot Thierry Barbier has visited a lot of countries in the past dozen years - 83 to be exact - as he flies around the world in Rotax 912-powered Bestoff Sky Ranger kit airplanes. Barbier stopped in Oshkosh this week to get familiar with the airport before flying to Canada - his 84th country - since he's planning to return next month for his first AirVenture Oshkosh.

 

Barbier has flown extensively throughout Africa, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico, and he's been in the U.S. since mid-May. Apart from the flying, which is his passion, Barbier's aim is to meet people all over the world, experience local cultures, and take lots of photos and videos. Following AirVenture, he'll head north again with plans to fly to Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, over to Russia, and down to Korea and Japan.

 

"It's so beautiful, the Earth from the sky, you can't imagine," he said. "I love to take photos and videos of the Earth to show it is beautiful and that we have to protect it. We also must protect the richness and traditions of cultures around the world."

 

As he flies around the world to different countries, Barbier says he's in no hurry. "I take the time to meet the people, to do the things nicely. And take lots of photos and video," he said. He has posted many of those photos and videos online - many taken from remote-controlled cameras bungied to the wings - and has numerous published works in French publications.

 

Barbier flies in five-month spurts, then returns home. "I must return home to Paris to make money so I can fly," he said.

 

The two-seat, side-by-side airplane is the latest model of the French-designed Bestoff Sky Ranger called the Nynja. Specs of the metal construction, fabric-covered wing airplane would allow for LSA certification, but it's officially a European ultralight. It took 300 hours to build from the kit, and was provided by the Bestoff (without engine or instruments). He's using mostly autofuel on the flight.

 

Among his other sponsors are Beringer wheels and brakes, Super B lithium batteries, Yacco Oil, and Verspieren Insurance. Plus his copilots are sponsors. For this leg, that's Claude Cordelle. Barbier will meet his son in Quebec, and father and son will attend AirVenture together.

 

He is looking forward to his first AirVenture experience, where he will display his Sky Ranger Nynja. When told of the variety and number of airplanes that will be on the ground, he was amazed. "I can't wait to see that," Barbier said.

 

Through his travels Barbier has gained an acute appreciation for the different cultures throughout the world. "I feel more a citizen of the world now," he said. "I'm realizing my culture, but being a citizen of the world is something more important."

 

__._,_.___

 

 

[gregrobertson]

Thierry's first well worn Skyranger is in the aeronautical Museum at Le Borget along with many other famous french designs. A fitting resting place for it. Phil Prevot must be very proud to have one of his designs recognised like that. When it is all said and done I doubt there is a more suitable aircraft for the work Thierry does. Thoes of us lucky enough to fly them understand. If you ever get the chance to go to Le Borget it is well worth a visit.

 

 

[gregrobertson]

Congratulations Scott!!!! I had the pleasure of doing the initial test flying on Scott's lovely new Nynja today. We had perfect weather and the plane performed magnificently, with only a very minor cooling issue to remedy. Scott finished the day by flying his aeroplane himself. The grin will be well known by others who have built and flown their own aircraft. I suspect there will be some utube video shortly. Watch this space.

 

Greg.

 

 

[cscotthendry]

Well, our new Nynja flies well according to Greg. There are some minor issues to deal with but they will soon be ironed out. The weather on the day could not ahve been better and Greg managed some spectacular landings.

 

Check out the video

 

 

 

[zodiac3813]

Nice work Scott and Greg,

 

our Skyranger Swift kit apparently reaches our shores today... stepping stone to a Nynja... woo hoo!

 

Cheers Jim & Angie

 

 

[Deskpilot]

Nice work Scott, I'm sure you'll be very happy with her.

 

Just a word re the video. That's the first time I've heard Al Stewart for years. I have his Nostrodamus album on vinyl but haven't played it as my turntable died years ago. Nice one. thanks.