The aircraft was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 254 lb (115 kg). The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 245 lb (111 kg). It features a high-wing, a single-seat, open cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1]
The Lone Ranger was designed to overcome pitch stability problems found in the earlier Striplin FLACtailless aircraft. Stability was increased with the addition of a conventional tail unit, including conventional elevators and a rudder for control. Because they were no longer needed the FLAC's wing tip rudders were deleted. The landing gear is of tricycle configuration and features a steerable nosewheel. The engine is mounted above the wing, with the propeller above and in front of the windshield. The design spawned a family of variants featuring one and two seats, as well as strut-braced and cantilever wings.[1]
Variants
Striplin Lone Ranger
Initial version for US production. Early versions have dual wing struts, while later models have just one strut. Engines used include the Zenoah G-25B of 20 hp (15 kW) and the Yamaha KT-100S of 15 hp (11 kW).[1]
Aero and Engineering Services Lone Ranger
Cantilever wing version produced by Aero and Engineering Services of the United Kingdom. The wing was redesigned and has a span of 34 ft (10.4 m). The engine used is the Zenoah G-25B of 20 hp (15 kW). Empty weight 210 lb (95 kg), gross weight 420 lb (191 kg), glide ratio of 17:1.[2]
Silver Cloud
Improved version with a cantilever wing and full-span flaperons. Engines used include the Cuyuna 215R of 20 hp (15 kW).[1]
