Jump to content

Rans S-7 Courier

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Ahunt (talk | contribs) at 23:12, 22 November 2010 (→External links: commented out empty commons cat). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

S-7 Courier
Role Kit aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Rans Inc
Designer Randy Schlitter
First flight November 1985
Status In production (2010)
Number built 325 (December 2008)
Developed from Rans S-5 Coyote
Rans S-4 Coyote

The Rans S-7 Courier is an American single-engined, tractor configuration, two-seats in tandem, high-wing monoplane designed by Randy Schlitter and manufactured by Rans Inc. The Courier is available in kit form for amateur construction or as a completed light-sport aircraft.[1][2][3][4]

Design and development

The S-7 was originally conceived of as a trainer for the single seat S-4 Coyote. First flown in November 1985 the Courier was named for an aircraft that Schlitter admired, the Helio Courier.[3][4]

The S-7 features a welded 4130 steel tube cockpit, with a bolted aluminum tube rear fuselage, wing and tail surfaces all covered in dope and fabric. The reported construction times for the Courier are 500-700 man-hours.[1][2][4]

The Courier is only available with conventional landing gear but can be equipped with floats and skis. The original basic engine was the Rotax 503 of 50 hp (37 kW), with the Rotax 582 of 64 hp (48 kW) being available as an option. Today, the standard engine is the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS.[1][2][3][4]

Operational history

325 examples of the Courier had been completed by December 2007.[2]

Variants

S-7
Initial version, standard engine 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503, Rotax 582 64 hp (48 kW) engine optional.[3]
S-7C
Refined version introduced in 2001, certified under the US primary category.[3]
S-7S
Kit version of the S-7C, introduced in 2003. Qualifies as a US Experimental light-sport aircraft (ELSA). Standard engine is the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS.[3]
S-7LS
Sold as a factory-assembled ready-to-fly light-sport aircraft, the S-7LS is a factory-assembled version of the S-7S. Standard engine is the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS.[3]

Specifications (S-7S)

Data from Kitplanes[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Capacity: One passenger
  • Length: 23 ft 3 in (7.09 m)
  • Wingspan: 29 ft 3 in (8.92 m)
  • Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
  • Wing area: 147.1 sq ft (13.67 m2)
  • Empty weight: 700 lb (318 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,232 lb (559 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 18 US Gallons (68 litres)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912ULS , 100 hp (75 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed adjustable pitch

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 118 mph (190 km/h, 103 kn)
  • Stall speed: 41 mph (66 km/h, 36 kn)
  • Range: 390 mi (630 km, 340 nmi)
  • Rate of climb: 1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 8.37 lb/sq ft (40.9 kg/m2)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. ^ a b c d Downey, Julia: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 65. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  2. ^ a b c d e Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2008, page 69. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Rans (undated). "S-7S Courier". Retrieved 22 November 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  4. ^ a b c d Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 239. BAI Communications. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Rans_S-7_Courier&oldid=398333491"