Aero-TV: RANS S-19 Looks Like A Solid Contender In LSA ...

Randy Schlitter Talks About His All-Metal LSA

The RANS S-19 achieved SLSA certification, just a few months ago and is already getting solid attention from the sport aviation buying public. The aircraft is destined to enter series production as the S-19LS. Certification was granted December 21, and delivery of the first S-19LS planes should begin by the end of 2008.

The company notes the S-19LS is the first all-new aircraft -- made and designed in the USA, and specifically intended 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," said Randy Schlitter, CEO of RANS Aircraft.

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," Schlitter noted.

The S-19LS features the Rotax 912ULS power plant, all glass cockpit, and a $110,000 introductory price. The company plans to size production to demand projecting 50 within 12 months, and doubling sometime after.

Expansion plans may be in the works as well... since the firm already produces the $85,000 S-7LS, a high wing tube and fabric tailwheel plane, which has been in production since October of 2005.

Aero-TV interviewed Designer Randy Schlitter at the 2008 Sebring Light Sport Aircraft Expo and got some interesting details on the future of this exciting new LSA.

FMI: www.RANS.com

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[traffety]

i want one

[rwthomas1]

Don't like Rotax? Piffle! There are Rotax' out there with 4000hrs on them and no major work. Show me a Lycosaurus or Conticeratops that will do that. Yes, Rotax is pricey, but at least they are cutting edge and not tech from 40 years ago. Now, I don't really have a problem with conventional engines, they are fine, its just Rotax has shown what can be done while everyone else was hiding from the lawyers and servicing the certificated market. The experimental stuff leaped forward.

[aerozg]

Looking to buy a kit and build an LSA. I like the Zodiac 650 from Zenith, which is all metal too and offers a Lycoming or a Continental engine. I don't like the Rotax, or the Jabiru, despite what they say about it. But this little airplane got my attention too. Kit plans cost 100US$, while the Zodiacs plans cost 479US$. We'll see..

[dosboricuas]

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