N109KE

N109KE is a Panther Aircraft Panther, a single-engine piston aircraft operated by RHODE KEITH E. SkyMeter has tracked 192 flights totalling 69 hours of airtime via ADS-B across 2 callsigns. The most frequent segment is KLVN to KLVN. Service window in our records spans 395 days. Of those flights, 36 (18.8%) carry at least one detected incident — go-around, unstable approach, stall warning, or runway excursion. The Panther Aircraft Panther has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,320 lb, light wake category.

About the Panther Aircraft Panther

The Panther is an American amateur-built Light Sport Aircraft designed and marketed by Panther Aircraft as a two-seat, high-wing taildragger kit. Introduced in the early 2000s, the Panther was conceived as an affordable entry point into recreational aviation, targeting builders who wanted a simple, rugged design reminiscent of classic bush planes like the Piper Super Cub but compliant with the newer LSA weight and performance restrictions. The aircraft features conventional tube-and-fabric construction with a welded steel fuselage frame and fabric-covered wings, making it straightforward for first-time builders while delivering respectable short-field performance and docile handling characteristics.

Powered typically by Rotax four-stroke engines in the 80-100 horsepower range, the Panther cruises around 90-95 knots and can operate comfortably from grass strips and unimproved surfaces thanks to its tailwheel configuration and robust landing gear. Its 1,320-pound maximum gross weight keeps it within LSA limits, allowing sport pilots to fly it without a medical certificate. The design emphasizes visibility, ease of maintenance, and forgiving flight characteristics, making it popular among recreational pilots and those seeking a capable weekend flyer for backcountry exploration. While not breaking any records, the Panther occupies a niche as a practical, economical kit aircraft that delivers the classic taildragger experience within modern regulatory frameworks.

SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.