|
|
|
|
Mikes RANS S-19 Project
|
Date: 4-21-2008
|
Number of Hours: 0.00
|
Manual Reference:
|
Brief Description: Ordered Empennage Kit from RANS.
|
|
I finally decided to make the plunge and start the S-19 kit. My wife Risa and I dicussed this project and although she is somewhat concerned about the safety of experimental planes (and certified planes as well!), she agreed to support me in this project (as long as it would not take away from OUR time together!). My main reason for building the plane is the enjoyment of building it. I am not sure how much I will fly it when it is finished (I may choose to sell it).
Originally, I had planned to purchase and construct a Zenith Aircraft Zodiac 601XL. Dad and I attended the Zenith factory workshop in March of 2006 and built the 601XL rudder. We also took a demo ride in the 601XL factory demonstrator. On April 9, 2008, I paid for dual instruction in the 601XL at Palm Beach Aviation in Florida. That same week, I attended Sun-n-Fun 2008 in Lakeland and saw the RANS S-19. I had read the cover story on the S-19 in the April 2008 issue of Kitplanes, and when I saw the S-19 in person at Sun-n-Fun, I really liked it. I liked many things about the S-19: the fit and finish was better than the 601XL; there were many safety features designed into the S-19 (roll bar, better seat belts, fuel tanks behind main spar, pre-constructed main spar). I noticed in examining the 601XLs that the horizontal stabilizer (and rudder) seemed to have a lot of "play" and could be moved from side to side. On the S-19, the horizontal stabilizer and rudder were "solid"--also there was very little runout in the bearings. I liked the bellcrank and push rod controls on the S-19. I liked the adjustable seats in the S-19 and REALLY liked the sliding canopy (I had trouble closing and latching the 601XL canopy both times that I flew a 601XL).
So, here goes!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2001-2024 Matronics. All Rights Reserved.
|
