Rainbow Aircraft closing down?

[Coyote]

I heard over the weekend that Rainbow have closed their doors - anyone know anything about this? What will happen to back-up for the Cheetah.

[flybynite]

Mike/Walter???????????? Talk to us please.

[Sideslip]

Hi Coyote.

There are several rumours doing the rounds regarding Rainbow. Very few of them are correct and nearly all of them contain misinformation.

First and foremost, we will always be here to support our Cheetah, Safari, Scout, Cobra owners. We are not going anywhere.

We are however going through a minor share-holder change and the company name might also change. That’s about it.

Our order books are pretty much full for the next few months with export orders and our maintenance dept has never been busier. I can confirm this is NOT a financial decision but merely a positive change that is required to enable us to service the needs of our clients and move forward in the best possible way.

Over the past 24 hours I have been involved in strategy meetings that concentrated on future planning for the company. I can assure you that the directors are in it for the long haul. We have just placed (and paid for) large orders for raw materials and this obviously would not have happened if the future of the company was in the balance.

We have some really exciting plans for the future. Watch this space!

Should anyone with any concerns wish to call me, my number is: 011 817 2298

Regards, Michael Gill
Sales and Marketing manager
Rainbow Aircraft

[Gyronaut]

Michael

I have very limited knowledge of the Cheetah or Rainbow Aircraft except that a few of my friends do own/have owned Cheetahs and the flights I have had with them were fantastic. Lovely machines and a pleasure to fly as a novice.

It seems to me you guys at Rainbow should consider investing in some professional Public Relations/Service orientation. These persistent rumours can't be doing your business any good.

As a rotor-head I have no vested interest other than that I would hate to see another manufacturer of a great product go under for the wrong reasons and leave our small light-sport community poorer for it.

I wish you well

Len

[John Boucher]

And Len has some hours on a Cheetah.... and soon soon he'll fly with me as well!

Guys... I fetched my Cheetah from Rainbow some 2 weeks ago and the team were there except Mike that was doing good things at Oshkosh for the product.

The product is here to stay and the support I got and still get is great.... that's good enough for me.

I think once all the shares crap is sorted and a revitalised vision set for the company we are going to see good things!

[John Boucher]

Oh, let me add.... maybe now we can get the disc brakes that have been on the drawing board for so long!

[Gyronaut]

Exactly my point JB, good product, good service, bad PR.

I have seen Vuka Scooter disc brakes used very successfully in home-built gyro's. Not expensive and quite light. Perhaps worth considering?

Shh about the enjoyable Cheetah hours... I am a rotor-head remember!

[John Boucher]

A retrofit disc brake kit was developed for the Cheetah... but without elaborating too much, this has not been implemented. The new team are definitely going to pursue this and I have been given the assurance that it is to happen. Sooner than later I hope!

Too be quite honest - the only 2 things I can fault the Cheetah on are -

1. The brakes (on some ok but mostly crap!!!) mine has again started giving problems after flying her down - sundowner flight last night and the brakes were "zero"

2. The engine - the Rotax 582 is ok at the coast and performs above what I was used sitting at 5000ft. It really wants 100hp or more up front to be really happy! One up at the coast, she launches herself into the heavens like a homesick angel!

Otherwise she is an honest flyer that gets a rap on the knuckles by certain gents that don't fly with their feet or have not been taught what those pedals on the floor are for and think the ball on the dash is just for show or by some immaculate intervention must stay in the middle by itself!

[Coyote]

Hi Sideslip
Thanks for the reply, it's good to know that these are just rumours and as with all rumours best brought into the open and despelled. I'm am considering a Cheetah and feel much better now. Good luck guys and go for it!!

[Sideslip]

We are currently building 6 Cheetahs!

4 are sold, 1 is my demo and will not be for sale immediately, the 6th one will be snatched up soon! Hurry hurry

[Coyote]

I was looking at a 2nd hand one as the new Cheetah is a bit steep.

[Coyote]

I am also very interested in building my own

[German]

Pics of the new Cheetah please!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jean Crous]

Pics of the new Cheetah please!!!!!!!!!!!

Why so a Cheetah does not change it`s spots

[Sideslip]

Guys - as mentioned on previous thread, all will be revealed in good time.