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 Post subject: Re: Rans S-7s Courier; Anyone have experience or opinions?
PostPosted: 06 Jan 2021, 13:30 
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Location: Overland Park, KS (KOJC)
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It's been almost a year since I updated this thread. Progress has continued and it's getting fairly close, so I thought I'd post a catch-up and hopefully keep this thread up to date until it's finished.

I'm about 2 weeks from starting the engine. I've got a fairly small punch list of things to do before I put some gas in it and fire it up. I'm going to do that at my home shop, at that point I'll be almost ready to move the project to the airport and put on the wings, windscreen, and tail. Then I've got to get through the FAA hurdles and make the first flight.

What's taken most of the time since the last update had been avionics and wiring. Here is a pic of the mostly finished panel.

Attachment:
IMG_1238.jpg


And here is a shot of what the wiring looks like. Don't worry it's all nice and neat now.

Attachment:
IMG_1227.jpg


I installed the 10" G3X panel, GTX-335 ADSB transponder, GTR-20 remote Com radio/intercom, Garmin engine monitor, Vertical Power VPX, and Garmin Autopilot. It's all installed and is working. There is some calibration left to do, but essentially it's all done.

Since finishing up the avionics and wiring I've been working on the cowling. All the bodywork, fitting, prime, and paint is done. It turned out very well, particularly considering that I'm a terrible painter. Here are a couple of pics.

Attachment:
IMG_1918.jpg

Attachment:
IMG_1924.jpg


So, that's where it stands. A few little firewall forward tasks to take care of, then start the engine. I really want to make sure that's done and working before I take the project away from my climate controlled shop. In fact, I'm going to make sure as much as possible is done before it leaves the shop. No reason to rush the project into an unheated T-Hangar in the middle of winter.

Jack


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Last edited on 06 Jan 2021, 13:38, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: Rans S-7s Courier; Anyone have experience or opinions?
PostPosted: 06 Jan 2021, 13:33 
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Joined: 03/01/14
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Location: 0TX0 Granbury TX
Aircraft: T-210M Aeronca 7AC
I’d love to see our next school project an S-21.


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 Post subject: Re: Rans S-7s Courier; Anyone have experience or opinions?
PostPosted: 06 Jan 2021, 13:43 
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Joined: 04/01/13
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Location: Overland Park, KS (KOJC)
Aircraft: 1975 Bonanza F33A
I've been out to the RANS factory several times since I started this project 3 years ago and I've had the opportunity to watch the S21 go from being an unfinished prototype to where it is now. It'll do almost everything a Carbon Cub will do as far as STOL work, yet it cruises 40 Kts faster and is half the price.

It's a real winner. The only problem is that it's a long wait for a kit!

Jack


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 Post subject: Re: Rans S-7s Courier; Anyone have experience or opinions?
PostPosted: 06 Jan 2021, 15:04 
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Company: Power/mation
Location: Milwaukee, WI (KMKE)
Aircraft: 1963 Debonair B33
Nice job on the color and finish match to the Oratex. Will you be applying any graphics?

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 Post subject: Re: Rans S-7s Courier; Anyone have experience or opinions?
PostPosted: 06 Jan 2021, 16:28 
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Location: Overland Park, KS (KOJC)
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Jim

Yes. I’m working with a vinyl wrap company that’s going to apply some graphics. We’ve bounced around some ideas, but nothing has been decided.

Jack


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 Post subject: Re: Rans S-7s Courier; Anyone have experience or opinions?
PostPosted: 06 Jan 2021, 17:43 
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Joined: 02/22/09
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Location: KLOM
Aircraft: J35, L-19, PT17
A friend of my recently bought an older factory built S7. I've flown from the back seat quite a bit with him. I think you will love flying it!!! I know I do.
Dave

Username Protected wrote:
Jim

Yes. I’m working with a vinyl wrap company that’s going to apply some graphics. We’ve bounced around some ideas, but nothing has been decided.

Jack


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 Post subject: Re: Rans S-7s Courier; Anyone have experience or opinions?
PostPosted: 06 Jan 2021, 20:41 
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Joined: 07/21/08
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Location: Decatur, TX (XA99)
Aircraft: 1979 Bonanza A36
Username Protected wrote:
I've been out to the RANS factory several times since I started this project 3 years ago and I've had the opportunity to watch the S21 go from being an unfinished prototype to where it is now. It'll do almost everything a Carbon Cub will do as far as STOL work, yet it cruises 40 Kts faster and is half the price.

It's a real winner. The only problem is that it's a long wait for a kit!

Jack

I absolutely love the S21, but it’s no where close to a Carbon Cub. I helped recover one from a mountain top last summer. The pilot hit a 6” rock in the middle of a two track road and both landing gear sheared off. The plane was totaled, but the pilot was not injured. The gear is, in my opinion, quite fragile.
But overall it is an amazing plane that has very good handling qualities, and with the turbo 915 Rotax, it is very impressive!

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 Post subject: Re: Rans S-7s Courier; Anyone have experience or opinions?
PostPosted: 07 Jan 2021, 01:03 
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Douglas

You know way more about this stuff than I do. That quote "The S21 will do almost everything a Carbon Cub will do" comes from Randy Schlitter. I think he really means that it will land and take off nearly as short and climb as well or better. I don't think he's claiming that the landing gear is as robust, it just can't be.

The aluminum spring landing gear on the S-21 appears to be exactly the same as the gear on the S7. Since the S-21 is a good bit heavier, I'm not surprised that the gear maybe a little light and not as durable.

People who want to take the S7 out and do serious backcountry work often put the Roberts gear on the plane. That would make it much more like a Carbon Cub. But, I'm told that the Roberts gear cuts something like 10-15 knots off the cruise speed. That's not a good tradeoff for me (I don't think) since I plan to fly the S7 cross country to get to interesting places. For a plane that only goes a little over 100Kts, knocking 10-15 knots off is a pretty big deal.

I'm sure you can put the Robers gear on the S-21 along with whatever shocks you choose. But, it's probably going to slow it down the same 10-15 Knots. With 29" Alaska Bushwheels on it, the S-21 will cruise in the 145-150Mph range. That's fast enough to cover some distance and still have a decent STOL aircraft for exploring when you get there. That has a lot of appeal for me.

I've really enjoyed building the S7, so I'm probably going to build another one in a few years. The S-21 is high on the list. That or a VANS RV-14 looks like a lot of fun. I'll have to see how much I get into this STOL/Backcountry flying business.


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 Post subject: Re: Rans S-7s Courier; Anyone have experience or opinions?
PostPosted: 07 Jan 2021, 06:53 
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Joined: 03/01/14
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Location: 0TX0 Granbury TX
Aircraft: T-210M Aeronca 7AC
I watched this one go together in 6.5 months.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/125356136@N02/1imo6d
I couldn’t get the file to upload.


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 Post subject: Re: Rans S-7s Courier; Anyone have experience or opinions?
PostPosted: 07 Jan 2021, 11:46 
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Location: Overland Park, KS (KOJC)
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Here is a proof that the Vinyl wrap guys came up with for the graphics.

Attachment:
JackLetts_RANS_S7_Side_Proof.jpg


I like the two-tone schemes they use on the Carbon Cubs. That's what inspired this drawing. One concern is that this has enough vinyl that it might actually constitute a measurable amount of weight.

What does the BT trust think?

Jack


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 Post subject: Re: Rans S-7s Courier; Anyone have experience or opinions?
PostPosted: 07 Jan 2021, 11:55 
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Joined: 04/01/13
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Location: Overland Park, KS (KOJC)
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Username Protected wrote:
I watched this one go together in 6.5 months.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/125356136@N02/1imo6d
I couldn’t get the file to upload.


By all accounts, you can build an S-21 faster than you can build an S7. All the pre-drilled and matched skins make it go together very fast. Faster than covering with fabric. Still, building one in 6.5 months is moving. Probably need one or two guys working nearly full time. I've got 5 or 6 months just in the avionics and wiring. A simple panel would have saved some time.

I just crossed 3 years in November, should be done in 3.5 years total. I'm happy with that given that it's been an evening and weekend project.

Jack


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 Post subject: Re: Rans S-7s Courier; Anyone have experience or opinions?
PostPosted: 07 Jan 2021, 12:24 
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Username Protected wrote:
Here is a proof that the Vinyl wrap guys came up with for the graphics.

Attachment:
JackLetts_RANS_S7_Side_Proof.jpg


I like the two-tone schemes they use on the Carbon Cubs. That's what inspired this drawing. One concern is that this has enough vinyl that it might actually constitute a measurable amount of weight.

What does the BT trust think?

Jack

Based on what the vinyl sales guys at OSH have told me, I’ll bet that much vinyl weighs much less than a pound. BWTHDIK?

Nice look.


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 Post subject: Re: Rans S-7s Courier; Anyone have experience or opinions?
PostPosted: 07 Jan 2021, 12:40 
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Joined: 03/01/14
Posts: 2126
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Location: 0TX0 Granbury TX
Aircraft: T-210M Aeronca 7AC
There’s much joy in building. I think as much as flying. I’m the kinda guy who loves building and flying but don’t have much love for maintenance. It’s a necessary evil that isn’t as bad because you aren’t cleaning up behind anyone. You know what’s there and thought it out while putting it there. I like scratch building, the kit business is getting to be a really good way to go and Randy has some great stuff. My friend who built the 21 in short order has built several RVs and was driven to complete his last project quickly. I wouldn’t look at getting finished like that personally. Enjoy the ride!


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 Post subject: Re: Rans S-7s Courier; Anyone have experience or opinions?
PostPosted: 07 Jan 2021, 12:51 
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Joined: 07/21/08
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Location: Decatur, TX (XA99)
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Username Protected wrote:
Here is a proof that the Vinyl wrap guys came up with for the graphics.

Attachment:
JackLetts_RANS_S7_Side_Proof.jpg


I like the two-tone schemes they use on the Carbon Cubs. That's what inspired this drawing. One concern is that this has enough vinyl that it might actually constitute a measurable amount of weight.

What does the BT trust think?

Jack

That looks great, and the vinyl is very light. I would add a third accent color though, almost all of the planes I have seen have that small third accent, and it really adds a lot to the scheme.

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 Post subject: Re: Rans S-7s Courier; Anyone have experience or opinions?
PostPosted: 07 Jan 2021, 13:37 
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Joined: 10/05/11
Posts: 9552
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Company: Power/mation
Location: Milwaukee, WI (KMKE)
Aircraft: 1963 Debonair B33
Those are some big pieces of vinyl. That will be an interesting application project.

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