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Bruces S-19 Build Log
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Date: 6-5-2009
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Number of Hours: 0.00
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Manual Reference:
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Brief Description: Factory visit and S-19 prototype demo flight
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Friday, June 5th 2009 Ran’s Aircraft Factory tour and a demonstration flight in the S-19 light sport aircraft at Hays Kansas. When I was deciding whether or not to build an airplane I had two main concerns. The first concern was if building a airplane would be like having to constantly work on a broken car. I don't particularly like working on my car, and I'd most always rather do something else than spend a weekend at it. The second concern was finding an airplane that I actually wanted to have when it was finished. The Ran’s S-19 looked like it met the latter concern, but it's a new design, and at the time there was only one in existence, and it wasn't in my corner of the country. So I decided to go about the decision processes a little backward, I'd start building an empennage kit first, to make sure that I would enjoy the build process, then if I did, I'd inspect and test fly the demo airplane second to make sure that it was the airplane that I wanted.
Sight unseen I purchased an empennage kit, I'm now half way through the tail and having a blast. Everything fits together perfectly and the design and execution of the kit is very well thought out. To my surprise I found it has been enjoyable satisfying work - even after a hard day at the office. So I made arrangements to travel to the Hays Kansas factory for a tour and demo flight. I was very worried that after months of dreaming of the “perfect” airplane that my expectations would be too high. I was prepared to walk away from the whole thing if I didn’t like the airplane.
I didn't need to be concerned, the folks at Ran's were extremely friendly, the factory was clean, well organized and busy, and the S-19 was everything I had dreamed possible. The airplane feels light and maneuverable, visibility out of the bubble sliding canopy is fantastic, and performance is remarkable. Compared to the trainers I was used to flying – well there is no comparison. I can't wait to throw a couple of breakdown bicycles in the back and takeoff for a tour across the country.
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Randy with Sharon
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Cruise attitude view
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Ready to go
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