Skyrunner

The SkyRunner all-terrain vehicle and light-sport aircraft has secured special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA) certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The first vehicle of its kind, SkyRunner is combined into one simplified vehicle that can operate in some of the roughest ground environments and take-off using the advent of powered-parachute flight.

The two-seat vehicle does not require runway for take-off, as its take-off distance is about a football field in length.

With the FAA airworthiness certificate, a US-based vehicle developer, also called SkyRunner, will begin delivering a backlog of orders to its powersports aircraft customers.

SkyRunner production director Cody Lackey said: "It’s remarkable how the wisdom of crowds have shaped SkyRunner’s form and function.

"From active involvement from tier-one military operators to industry experts in aviation and off-road, even social media feedback, all have contributed to the quality, reliability, redundancy and safety of SkyRunner.

"This machine is truly a marvel."

Appeared for the first time a few years back, SkyRunner has a backorder of position deposits, a multimillion dollar contract for government use, newly pending fleet orders for emergency medical and more than 143 distributor requests worldwide.

"This machine is truly a marvel."

Production and deliveries of the vehicle are currently underway at SkyRunner’s manufacturing plant in Shreveport, Louisiana, US.

SkyRunner marketing director Kenneth O’Brock said: "It’s extremely rare for a startup like SkyRunner to attract more Facebook followers in just two years than multibillion dollar brands like Polaris, Can Am and Virgin Atlantic have accumulated to date.

"It’s indicative that this product is connecting with people in a profound way."

The company noted that SkyRunner combines off-road engineering with aviation technology to create a new generation of sports recreation vehicle designed for both work and play.

Image: SkyRunner MK 3.2 light-sport aircraft. Photo: courtesy of SkyRunner.