Aircraft Now Available For Demo Flights

Randy Schlitter, CEO of RANS Aircraft, tells ANN the company's new S-19 sport plane has completed 50 hours of flight testing... and is now available for demonstrations flights. RANS will sponsor an open house in September, but interested pilots may schedule a demo flight sooner than that at the company's factory in Hays, KS.

Schlitter says the plane -- a departure for RANS, in that it is an all-metal aircraft, no fabric to be seen -- has passed flight test and advanced inspection with flying colors.

"As you get to know a plane it is fun to track first impressions to more matured views," Schlitter says. "In the case of the S-19, I was impressed with the smooth balanced handling, and was very curious about performance. After 50 hours of flying I am still very impressed with the fine handling, and very happy with performance."

Schlitter reports the S-19 is very close to its projected numbers. "As we told you at Oshkosh, cruise speed is 110 KTS, and could see some improvement with some tweaks to prop, wheel pants, and other drag offenders," he says. "But the bottom line is a solid 110 knots in stock form, meaning it can only get better from here."

While the S-19 isn't intended for aerobatic flight, Schlitter notes the aircraft has been taken through rolls and loops without incident -- which Schlitter attributes to the plane's low weight and aerodynamic cleanliness. Furthermore -- and perhaps more importantly -- the aircraft shows a "pretty aggressive" spin recovery capability.

"This is not a conclusion about spins, since we need to fly many more spin tests," Schlitter cautions, "but the plane is reacting very nice to recovery input."

Service ceiling is working out to above 14,000. Endurance is four hours when running around 5300 PRM.

The RANS factory is now building the first batch of S-19 kits, and the first tail kits should be shipping in the next several weeks. The company is also building another S-19, to give the factory firsthand experience in dealing with issues builders down the line may encounter.

Schlitter says one of the design goals of the S-19 was to have enough cubic baggage space to carry one or two folding or knock-down bikes -- in fact, RANS is working on a knock-down bike of its own design -- or, enough room for one pilot to carry enough baggage for an overnight trip.

"This photo (below) confirms there is plenty of space for at least one and baggage," Schlitter notes, "and two if packing really light -- like only a toothbrush light!"

Well, after all... these ARE "light" aircraft..."

FMI: www.rans.com/S-19.htm