What great to see? How about an American light aircraft producer doing exceptionally well? RANS has been around 50 years*, 40 of them as an aircraft developer and producer. From S-3 to S-21, the designs have varied but the newest is Outbound and it adds capabilities and structure to set it apart from all prior models.
Video capture images thanks to photographer Vickie Betts.
Over the years this Kansas company in the geographical center of the USA has delivered around 7,000 aircraft making it one of the light aircraft success stories of all time. Lead by founder Randy Schlitter, the manufacturer has become a leading aviation brand known and flown around the world.
In the video interview below, Randy’s wife Michele Schlitter walks us through the years and highlights the pinnacle of their achievement, a tricycle-gear, tundra-tired, all-metal creation that can carry 800 pounds, Michele said in the video.
You can build it or they can build it. A kit is available faster for obvious reasons. Fully factory-built models have a lengthy waiting list attesting to the loyalty the company has built over the decades. Presently, fully-assembled models are limited to LSA weights (1,320 pounds on wheels) but the airframe is already capable of 1,800 pounds. As soon as the flag drops on Mosaic, expect the manufacturer to make this available at the higher weight, again as Michele tells us in the interview.
I recommend you go right to the video. If you want even more detail, a second video goes into more depth about S-21 Outbound shortly after it was released. Below are a few additional observations…
Heading Outbound
No wonder the company is enjoying a strong run with their most-evolved aircraft, S-21 Outbound. This makes one handsome taildragger with performance to make STOL designs jealous. Yet, as you see nearby, they now have a tricycle gear version of the rugged aircraft. In fact, buyers are nearly all configuring their new S-21 as seen in the green aircraft pictured here.
A nosewheel Outbound is welcome because generations of pilots have received their instruction in a tricycle airplane and that’s all most have ever flown. Many pilots have heard stories about ground loops causing damage and hurting pride so most stick to the familiar and more-forgiving tricycle undercarriage. Lighter aircraft are less challenging to handle on conventional (tailwheel) gear but for many, it’s simply too big a leap. So, at Sun ‘n Fun 2019, the company brought Outbound in tricycle gear. Despite what many might have expected, the configuration looks good and was warmly received.
The nose wheel doesn’t affect handling or performance; “it flies the same as the tail dragger,” said Randy Schlitter when introducing the new configuration.
Outbound can be powered by a 100 horsepower Rotax 912 that works brilliantly. Or, buyers can choose Continental’s Titan X340 with 180 horsepower. Randy reports climb with the bigger engine is impressive (850 to 1,500 fpm) but fuel usage rises noticeably (from 5.5 to 7 gph). Takeoff is also fast with the big engine: just over 300 feet to leave the runway and just under 400 to land …in skilled hands, of course. However, interestingly the company quoted essentially the same launch and landing values for the Rotax 912, which is considerably lighter. A few of Titan’s horses must be employed to lift its extra weight.
With the tricycle gear, you can have robust but smaller tires or you can opt for the tricycle version of bush gear. Doing so gives greater prop clearance as the video below identifies. Nearly all buyers are choosing the tundra option, Michele said. Outbound kits can go either way, taildragger or tri-gear. As Michele informs us, the main gear leg is the same on both aircraft. Company officials indicated it takes about four hours to swap out the hardware but the airframe is built to accommodate either configuration.
When shopping for a light aircraft, it’s hard to beat a homegrown American company. Have it your way and go enjoy one of the best flying (and most popular) aircraft in the LSA fleet.
ARTICLE LINKS:
- Get more info on this website — all content on RANS aircraft including S-21 Outbound
- Go direct to the factory website — RANS.com (this link goes directly to the S-21 page)
* Which is it? Is RANS 40 or 50 years old? As the video below clarifies, the brand existed 10 years before Randy got into aircraft design. Earlier, the company built unique bicycles. I ride one of their recumbent bikes (a Stratus) every day I am not traveling so I applaud their aircraft and bicycles.
If the S-21 Outbound truly interests you, the following video goes into more detail about this model. Recorded six years ago, it is chock-full of information but also reveals how times have changed. At the end of the following video I reported the company offered a six-month wait for a kit. While kits can be delivered faster, fully-factory-built models have many months, even years of wait list in late 2024.
If it had folding wings, I would have already ordered one. I live in Waco. Local airports have huge waiting list for hangers. Until I can find a place to keep it, I am on hold.
Great article! Of note though, it should be spelled in all caps. RANS
I’ve built 4 of them so far. S6ES, S19, S20 and S21.
You sound like a true RANS enthusiast… great! I’m glad you enjoyed the article.
As to the spelling, all caps are for abbreviations (IBM, FAA), not to emphasize a company name (Apple, Cessna). It’s a style issue and I avoid using company names in all caps. Icon and other companies like to present their name in all caps — to draw attention, one supposes — but doing so is typographically incorrect.
However, as the company and its enthusiasts prefer all caps, I changed the article to meet those wishes.