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Since the early 80's Randy Schlitter owner of RANS Aircraft has been on the
leading edge of the ultralight and lightsport aircraft market. His award
winning, innovative and recognizable aircraft designs can be found
flying world wide. In recent years he has cut back from supplying the
market with over a dozen models to supplying five the , S-7, S-6, ES,
S-12 and the new S-19.
(Randy indicated due to public demand he will also soon be re-introducing
the S-9 and S-10.)
This gives RANS a very unique marketing advantage. He has a line of
aircraft for each market segment whether you are looking for an
aerobatic aircraft, to bush plane to cross country cruiser he has a
lightsport aircraft that fits the bill.
Up until this year all of his planes featured quick and easy to
build, tube and rag style construction.
At the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo he unveiled his latest creation the
RANS S-19.
The S-19 is the first
"all new aircraft, made and designed in
the USA, specifically for the light sport category, to receive SLSA
status since the ruling went into effect. ?As the first all new US
design and manufactured light sport to be offered RANS has achieved
something unique as the plane itself.?
"The S-19LS is an
all metal low wing aircraft relying heavily on CAD/CAM methods. ?In fact
we never built a prototype, the first aircraft was production tooled and
proof of tooling and process.?
According to Randy the S-19 came about because
he has always wanted to build an all metal aircraft, due to the many
advantages of this type of aircraft, and the process used in building
them." "The direction of today's manufacturing is toward CNC machining,
and our factory today is a far cry from what it was in the early 80's.
Today you will see nine or ten CNC machines building parts to aeroplanes.
"It takes our girls over thirty hours just to
sew up the envelopes for a S6ES" "Our machines can cut out all of the
skins for an S-19 in less than 30 hours, giving you both the covering
and structure all in one fell swoop."
Power for the S-19 is being supplied by the
Rotax 912 S, 100 HP 4 cylinder, 4 stroke engine. This is giving the S19
a cruise of over 115 knots. It comes equipped with 24 gallons of fuel,
located in wing tanks, this gives the S-19 nearly 5 hours of flight
time.
Randy has built a number of safety features
into the plane. The fuel tanks are made from poly propylene, which can
take a very high impact. They are also located several ribs out from the
fuselage to keep them away from the pilot.
The seats used in the S-19 are designed to take
an 18 G impact, and the 43 inch wide cabin area has been developed with
high roll over protection, with a high impact crush area forward of the
pilot seating area.
Controls are standard dual stick and rudder
controls, with a castering nosewheel, which uses left and right brakes
for steering. The seats can be adjusted back and forth over 5 inches and
the seat back recline. Where necessary the rudder pedals can be tilted
forward and back.
The S-19 also has a storage area that can hold
up to 70 lbs. and in fact was designed to hold two of Randy's knock down
bicycles.
RANS is ramping up production and expects to be
producing a plane a week within the next 12 months. |
