“Most everyone who contributes to the creation of a revolutionary experimental aircraft like our LX7 has a passion for flying,” said David McRae, Co-Owner and Director of Marketing, Sales & Business Development. “So, for those who are eager to push their careers to new heights, we’ve taken the steps to help fuel that passion.” The “Learn to Fly” program was made possible by the addition of certified flight instructor Ohad Golani (CFII) to the staff early in 2024. Born and raised in Israel, Golani has logged hundreds of hours in the air. His sole purpose at RDD is to share his expertise and tremendous passion for flying with RDD employees in order to advance their current experience level and ultimately obtain their pilot certificate if they have not yet done so.  Ohad Golani (CFII) RDD’s Flight Instructor Extraordinaire, ready to teach “I always wanted to become a pilot,” said Golani. “A few years ago, I finally gathered the courage to pursue this incredible journey at a small flight school, just up the street from RDD and acquired all of my ratings. Now, as a Certified Flight Instructor, I try to incorporate my values and experience into a safe and enjoyable flight-training environment.” Golani takes all of his students up in a 1966 two-seat Cessna 150F, which is an excellent aircraft for flight-training purposes. He and the entire team at RDD are grateful to several partners for graciously supplying equipment and instruments for the aircraft to improve the experience:
“Training is going well,” said Golani. “Thanks to our sponsors, our trainer airplane has exceeded my expectations and is flying nicely. I’m currently working with two employees, one of whom is ready to do his first solo flight in order to get his private pilot’s license. Two others are waiting in the wings, so to speak. One of them is focusing on ground schoolwork while he loses a few pounds and another will be ready to begin her training when she completes three early-morning ground sessions.” For the students, the chance to receive flying instruction for free is not taken lightly and for some, it can be a game-changer for their futures. RDD Project Manager Joel Timmerman grew up on a 300-acre, family-run cattle ranch and hay farm in Powell Butte. His dad was also a private pilot who often took Joel up in his Piper Cherokee 6. He went off to study Animal Science at Cal Poly, but during the summer of 1988, before his junior year, he happened to take a flight in a Falcon 20 business jet. It introduced him to the world of corporate flying and he has dreamed of being a pilot ever since. “Obviously, there is a large financial barrier to becoming a professional pilot,” said Timmerman. “To earn the Private, Instrument, Commercial, Instructor and Instrument Instructor ratings can exceed $60,000. Once I joined the Navy in 1998, I also started a family, so flying took a backseat as we raised those young humans. I now have five boys (ages 31, 27, 25, 23 and 15) and it’s finally time for Dad to become a professional pilot.” Timmerman figured it would take about 10 years and a lot of financing for him to attain all of the flight credentials he would need to become an instructor. This opportunity means everything to me. With RDD covering the cost of instruction as well as the aircraft expenses, I’ll be able to fly every day and ultimately help the company by demonstrating the LX7 to prospective customers. “But then, Dave McRae flipped the script and offered me an amazing chance to continue my professional career as a Program/Project Manager,” said Timmerman. “This opportunity means everything to me. With RDD covering the cost of instruction as well as the aircraft expenses, I’ll be able to fly every day and ultimately help the company by demonstrating the LX7 to prospective customers.” That in itself is a dream come true for Timmerman. But he wants to take it a step further. “Once I retire from RDD,” he says, “I want to be that old guy at the airport giving flight instruction and inspiring the next generation of aviators.” The demand for RDD’s ground-breaking LX7 aircraft continues to present tremendous opportunities for growth at its Redmond facility. McRae is actively hiring for several key positions and knows the company won’t be able to achieve its goals without dedicated employees who are excited about coming to work and investing in their futures – regardless of whether they want to fly or not. “We are extremely fortunate to have someone like Ohad on board to offer this unique employee incentive,” said McRae. “In less than a year, we’ve seen tremendous enthusiasm within our ranks and we expect even more in the years to come.” 
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 BY CAM DAVIS WORDPLAY CREATIVE COPY & CAMPAIGNS ON DECEMBER 13, 2022
Since returning from the 2022 EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin — the nation’s massive annual summer gathering of aviation enthusiasts — RDD’s Co-Owner and Director of Marketing, Sales and Business Development, David McRae has been swamped with inquiries about the company’s LX7 personal aircraft. “We had to take a two-year hiatus from Oshkosh due to COVID-19,” said McRae. “But after going back this year, I’ve been getting three or four calls a day from interested customers. As a result, we have developed quite a waiting list.” Over the past several years, Redmond-based RDD has transformed the iconic Lancair IVP into the revolutionary LX7. This experimental aircraft delivers unsurpassed speed and performance with its turbo-prop reaching up to 315 KTAS (Knots True Airspeed) and its piston model achieving a range of up to 2,125 Nautical Miles in 8.5 hours, while offering critical safety features like an all-carbon-fiber structure, front seat airbags and a whole-aircraft parachute. The excitement over the LX7 has created a two-year backlog of work for the tight-knit team of engineers and technicians at the company’s headquarters near the Redmond Airport. That type of demand has the potential to fuel tremendous growth for a company like RDD. However, as many other local businesses have found recently, hiring is not as simple as putting out a Help Wanted sign. “First of all, we are pretty particular about the kind of men and women we hire,” said McRae. “But candidly, we are dealing with some of the growing pains that are common with other industries in Central Oregon. “Of course, we can offer an incredible lifestyle, as well as competitive salaries for the aviation industry. Yet, when talented prospects from outside the area discover the cost of housing in the Redmond area, which has literally doubled since 2020, it can be hard to close the deal.” There is no denying that COVID had a tremendous impact on the personal aircraft industry. With people being more self-centered and cautious of public spaces, flying without the hassles and health risks of commercial airlines has become very appealing. But with inflation, higher gas prices and a shakier economy, McRae doesn’t expect the current demand to last forever. “We could see a downturn in the market in the not-too-distant future,” he claims. “So, we are already planning our next move that will give current LX7 owners and future customers an even better flying experience. On top of that, we will be able to develop it even more efficiently than our current operation.” With some suppliers having delivery challenges of their own, McRae is somewhat coy about revealing when the company’s next venture will be launched. “But when the time comes,” he says, “I’m sure the phone will be ringing off the hook again.” About RDD: RDD Enterprises is a premiere American-owned and funded aviation Research, Design & Development group with a rich aviation heritage serving the personal aircraft community. Our goal is to provide serious aviators technologically advanced aircraft and systems with impeccable safety and world-class support. Located in Redmond, Oregon, RDD is proud to have been selected to help achieve aviation goals for a wide range of customers, from individuals to large corporations. Collectively, the RDD team has extensive experience with both experimental and certified aircraft in the areas of engineering, research, design, development, modification, fabrication, construction and customer support. To learn more about the LX7 piston or turbine models, visit lxaircraft.com or call David McRae, at 541-504-0305, extension 1. Redmond, OR – RDD Enterprises, LLC is taking aviation to new heights for pilots operating under the new Basic Medical rules.
In particular, the LX7-20 is a 550 SHP Pratt and Whitney powered airplane designed to operate at 285ktas at FL180 with a 5000’ cabin altitude on 28gph Jet A fuel. The company is also introducing the fixed gear model--whose name has not been determined yet. “The design philosophy for this aircraft is based on aircraft safety, efficiency, functionality, maintainability, aesthetics and simplicity. The result is an aircraft that provides the operator with a level of “freedom” previously unattainable,” said David McRae, one of the company’s owners. “The LX7 costs around the same as a new Cirrus SR22 G5 or Cessna TTx, will give the airplane much of the appeal of an FAA certificated high-performance single but with greater speed than you can find in a Part 23 model.” wrote Robert Goyer of Plane and Pilot. With the introduction of these aircraft, the LX7 family covers both fixed gear and retractable gear, pressurized cabin environments, and piston or turbine engine options. The LX7 exceeds industry standards in every relevant category, with a list of features and advantages so long that the plane has its own website (check it out at LX7aircraft.com). Highlights include: Handling: The LX7 expands on the aircraft manufacturing technologies that RDD has developed on experimental projects for Airbus and others. This gives the LX7 a stall speed of 63 knots, resulting in dramatically improved handling characteristics compared to the original IV-P. Avionics: Standard equipment for the LX7 includes a two-screen Garmin G3X Touch Flight Deck, the latest in WAAS technology coupled to the autopilot, with envelope protection and an emergency level function. Performance: The LX7 climbs at 2000 ft/min to reach cruising speeds of 260 KTAS @ 24 gph and 250 KTAS @ 18 gph. The combination of speed and endurance will take you miles beyond where other aircraft have to stop for fuel, making your trip shorter and more enjoyable. Range: Coast to coast without stopping? It’s totally possible with the LX7, with reserves left over. This aircraft will take you over 2,100 miles before you have to make a fuel stop. Fuel capacity is 180 gallons. Safety: Full-aircraft BRS parachute, Garmin EFIS with Active Traffic, Forward looking terrain, synthetic vision, and Satellite and ADS-B weather, AmSafe inflatable seatbelts for the forward occupants, and a pressurized cabin environment, single piece wing with dual spars. “The LX7 offers owners an unparalleled combination of performance, safety, luxury and value,” added McRae. “There’s just nothing else like it out there. I’ve been flying since 1989 and this airplane is like a traveling machine dream come true. I can easily fly from our facility in Redmond to just about anywhere I want to go without refueling,” continued McRae. “And the comfort level is superior to the original IV-P due to the increased legroom and passenger space. Flying with pressurization and greater fuel capacity increase confidence and peace of mind when tackling long distance flights,” McRae concluded. RDD (Research. Design. Develop.) Enterprises is a full-service aviation company based in Redmond Oregon. RDD has been providing expert ownership assistance for high-performance personal aircraft (certified and experimental) since 2006. The company has a reputation for balancing efficient production with creative solutions and customized detail. RDD completed the airframe construction for Airbus’ Perlan Project, a multimillion dollar collaborative project that is putting “engineless aircraft on the edge of space” (perlanproject.org). You can learn more about RDD at RDDent.com or by calling 541-504-0305. ### Redmond, OR – RDD Enterprises, LLC is taking aviation to new heights with its LX7 Aircraft Conversion experimental aircraft.
“The design philosophy for this aircraft is based on aircraft safety, efficiency, functionality, maintainability, aesthetics and simplicity. The result is an aircraft that provides the operator with a level of “freedom” previously unattainable,” said David McRae, one of the company’s owners. “The LX7 costs around the same as a new Cirrus SR22 G5 or Cessna TTx, will give the airplane much of the appeal of an FAA certificated high-performance single but with greater speed than you can find in a Part 23 model.” wrote Robert Goyer of Plane and Pilot. And, as part of the growing product family of the LX7, RDD is introducing the -20 which is a 550 SHP Pratt and Whitney powered airplane. They are also introducing the fixed gear model--whose name has not been determined yet. With the introduction of these aircraft, the LX7 family covers both fixed gear and retractable gear, pressurized cabin environments, and piston or turbine engine options. The LX7 exceeds industry standards in every relevant category, with a list of features and advantages so long that the plane has its own website (check it out at LX7aircraft.com). Highlights include: Handling: The LX7 expands on the aircraft manufacturing technologies that RDD has developed on experimental projects for Airbus and others. This gives the LX7 a stall speed of 63 knots, resulting in dramatically improved handling characteristics compared to the original IV-P. Avionics: Standard equipment for the LX7 includes a two-screen Garmin G3X Touch Flight Deck, the latest in WAAS technology coupled to the autopilot, with envelope protection and an emergency level function. Performance: The LX7 climbs at 2000 ft/min to reach cruising speeds of 260 KTAS @ 24 gph and 250 KTAS @ 18 gph. The combination of speed and endurance will take you miles beyond where other aircraft have to stop for fuel, making your trip shorter and more enjoyable. Range: Coast to coast without stopping? It’s totally possible with the LX7, with reserves left over. This aircraft will take you over 2,100 miles before you have to make a fuel stop. Fuel capacity is 180 gallons. Safety: Full-aircraft BRS parachute, Garmin EFIS with active traffic, forward looking terrain, synthetic vision, and satellite and ADS-B weather, AmSafe inflatable seatbelts for the forward occupants, and a pressurized cabin environment, single piece wing with dual spars. “The LX7 offers owners an unparalleled combination of performance, safety, luxury and value. There’s just nothing else like it out there. I’ve been flying since 1989 and this airplane is like a traveling machine dream come true. I can easily fly from our facility in Redmond to just about anywhere I want to go without refueling." —David McRae, Owner, RDD Enterprises “The LX7 offers owners an unparalleled combination of performance, safety, luxury and value,” added McRae. “There’s just nothing else like it out there. I’ve been flying since 1989 and this airplane is like a traveling machine dream come true. I can easily fly from our facility in Redmond to just about anywhere I want to go without refueling,” continued McRae. “And the comfort level is superior to the original IV-P due to the increased legroom and passenger space. Flying with pressurization and greater fuel capacity increase confidence and peace of mind when tackling long distance flights,” McRae concluded. RDD (Research. Design. Develop.) Enterprises is a full-service aviation company based in Redmond Oregon. RDD has been providing expert ownership assistance for high-performance personal aircraft (certified and experimental) since 2006. The company has a reputation for balancing efficient production with creative solutions and customized detail. RDD completed the airframe construction for Airbus’ Perlan Project, a multimillion dollar collaborative project that is putting “engineless aircraft on the edge of space” (perlanproject.org). You can learn more about RDD at RDDent.com or by calling 541-504-0305. ### The Airbus Perlan 2 Glider achieved new heights today while soaring over the Andes Mountains near El Califate, Argentina. The specially designed craft, built by RDD Enterprises, and piloted by Jim Payne and Morgan Sandercock reached an unofficial altitude of 53,400 feet.
"RDD is excited for the entire Airbus Perlan Team", exclaimed Eric Schmidlin. Eric was the RDD Project Manager and is the Head of Engineering for the Company. "To see the team achieve a new record is the great continuation of the milestones set by this project". The maiden voyage video is posted below from the well attended event at the Redmond Roberts Field Airport nearly two years ago, September 2015. The aircraft was built at RDD starting in September 2014. From all of us at RDD, congratulations to the Perlan Team. We’re glad you have stopped by our site. We encourage you to click through the site to discover what RDD has to offer to make your aircraft ownership experience a fun and successful venture. Whether you would like expert assistance with a build, experienced maintenance, or an upgrade to your existing aircraft, we are here to help ensure that your project culminates in a work of aviation craftsmanship. Experimental glider project shines light on Redmond aviation By Beau Eastes / The Bulletin / @beastes Published Sep 24, 2015 at 12:05AM / Updated Sep 24, 2015 at 05:55AMThe flight plan to 90,000 feet starts in Redmond. The maiden voyage of the Perlan 2, an experimental glider that hopes to eventually reach 90,000 feet, came off without a hitch Wednesday morning at the Redmond Airport. Pilots Jim Payne and Morgan Sandercock flew the 1,800-pound sailplane 5,000 feet above ground once the glider was released from its tow plane. Total air time for the first flight of the Airbus Perlan 2 Mission — the international aviation giant is sponsoring the project — was about 35 minutes. “This really fits in with the DNA of Airbus,” said Allan McArtor, the CEO of Airbus Group, the company’s North American business division. “The Perlan Project is about exploration, innovation and pushing the envelope. It’s exploring new boundaries.” READ FULL ARTICLE > By Thom Patterson, CNN — Oshkosh, Wisconsin (CNN) – A super glider is on track to fly to the edge of space. Crowds of aviation enthusiasts gathered Monday to get their first look at Perlan 2, an experimental glider on display this week at the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Some onlookers wanted to touch the plane's strong, lightweight carbon-fiber fuselage. Others wanted to peer inside the tiny two-person cockpit. READ FULL ARTICLE > |
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