
14/02/2025
Some dreams start early—before you even realize they’ll shape your life forever. For this aviator, it all began in 1968, at just five years old, sitting in the right seat of his father’s Cessna 172F. What followed was lifelong love for aviation that culminated in 2018 with the design and development of his very own LSA, the Vimana Steel, by Ridley Rupert Jones.
But let’s go back to the beginning. Ridley’s passion grew from earning his Private Pilot’s License to witnessing aviation evolve. His first encounter with Rotax came in 1989 with the 50 hp Rotax 503: reliable, efficient, and built to last.
Yet flying wasn’t just about being in the air. It was about building something of his own. His vision? A safe, accessible aircraft with a reliable, efficient engine at low cost, making aviation more attainable for pilots everywhere.
🛠 Building the VimanaSteel
In 2018, that vision took flight with the VimanaSteel, a light sport aircraft powered by the 100 HP Rotax 912 ULS—chosen for its quality, low maintenance, and reliability.
Built from 2024-T3 and 6061-T6 aluminum with aeronautical rivets and a high-wing design, it offers stability, control, and easy handling. Its two-seat, side-by-side setup makes it perfect for flight schools, short trips, and recreational flying—bringing more pilots closer to their dreams.
“Flying it feels like letting go of invisible ties—realizing that, for a moment, nothing holds you to the ground. It’s a reminder that there’s more beyond the routine—a silent invitation to dream bigger.”
Some dreams start early. Some take years to build. And some—like this one—take flight.