Northwest Ranger

Ranger
The prototype Northwest Ranger
Role	Light aircraft
National origin	Canada
Manufacturer	Northwest Industries
Introduction	1968
Status	Probably prototypes only
Produced	1968-1972
Number built	At least four
Developed from	Aermacchi AL-60

The Northwest Ranger was a Canadian bush aircraft that was under development by Northwest Industries (NWI) of Edmonton, Alberta between 1968-1972. The aircraft was a type certified design, and intended to be supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.

The Ranger was a development of the Aermacchi AL-60, which itself was based upon the Lockheed Model 60. NWI established its reputation as an aircraft overhauler and maintenance facility, but decided to enter the aircraft manufacturing business by buying the rights to the AL-60 in 1968.

The aircraft featured a strut-braced high-wing, a six to eight seat enclosed cabin and optional fixed tricycle landing gear, conventional landing gear, floats or skis and a single engine in tractor configuration. The Ranger differed from the AL-60 in having main landing gear leg fairings and Hoerner wing tips.

The Ranger's wing employed large flaps. Approved floats were Edo Aircraft Corporation models and both straight skis and Genaire Limited Canada Fluidyne Engineering wheel skis could also be fitted. Cabin access was through the small left front pilot door or a large cabin passenger and freight door.

The initial version proposed used the 400 hp (298 kW) Lycoming IO-720 A1A engine, but this did not provide adequate float performance and in 1970 was replaced by a 520 hp (388 kW) Lycoming IO-720 B1A powerplant and the version termed the Ranger C-6 to distinguish it from the last production Aermacchi AL-60C-5 model. The increased power gave a take-off distance to 50 ft (15 m) of 915 ft (279 m) and a landing distance from 50 ft (15 m) of 920 ft (280 m).

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