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.Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 73. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485XCliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page C-1. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 108. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485XPurdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 235. BAI Communications. Downey, Julia: 2000 Trike and 'Chute Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 2, February 2000, page 49. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 49. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
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.Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 80. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015.
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
Summary of aircraft built by Rainbow Aircraft and SkyReach 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
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