What is this aircraft that skims the treetops and the rivers – a dragonfly, a great green grasshopper, or a "canoe in the sky?"

"Cloud Chaser is an ideal airplane for such exploration as retracing the steps of Lewis and Clark," says pilot Ron Lowery. The plane was originally designed for National Geographic, whose staff has used similar aircraft for photographic expeditions of Africa and other remote locations. Built by Lowery and his older son, Alan, he has traveled to over 32 states with Cloud Chaser.

A perfect camera platform, the lightweight aircraft is built with twin 100 horsepower engines and a large wing, resulting in tremendous power and weight capacity and the ability to take off and land in short spaces, climb rapidly, and fly slowly. The plane is reliable, safe, quiet, fuel-efficient and draws a crowd wherever it lands.

In the open cockpit the pilot/photographer sits far forward of the landing gear, which enables Lowery to photograph without the obstruction of wings, struts and landing gear, even when using wide-angle lenses. The plane can be slowed to airspeed of only 45 M.P.H., allowing him to frame and focus on scenes of incredible beauty to observe scenery, people and places.

The purpose of this plane–Cloud Chaser–is to explore and photograph all over North America. Landing or takeoff distance is about 150 feet. Having the ability to climb at 1800 feet per minute makes it great for changing camera angles quickly and for getting out of tight places. It is also extremely safe, fast, light weight, powerful, fuel efficient, quiet, environmentally friendly and carries a lot of cargo.

Read Lowery's personal observations about flying this incredible machine.

FAQ

1. How fast does it fly?
Top speed is about .167 mach (110 mph). Cruise is 75 to 80 m.p.h. and stall speed is 35 to 38m.p.h.

2. What is the range?
380 miles

3. What kind of engines does it have?
Two 100 hp Rotax 912s engines are mounted at the rear of the wing

4. What do you do when it rains?
Don't fly!

5. How much does it weigh?
1,054 lbs

6. How long did it take to build it?
Approximately 1,800 hours over a 3 year period

7. How much weight can it carry?
680 lbs

8. Is it an ultralight?
No, it is an experimental class.

9. Do you need a license to fly it?
Yes

10. How much fuel does it use?
4.8 gallons per hour

 

Order Books:
Click here, or call (423) 240-3898, or check with your local bookstore.
Contact Us

 
In the morning mist the Missouri is a river of gold that appears to flow from the rising sun. The oxbows are snapshots of the river's past, now fading like the hoof prints of the buffalo.
—Ron Lowery