Flying the Rans S-7S Courier

Over the weekend I had the great opportunity to take a trip in my local flying area in a S-7S Courier.  I have never flown in any of the Rans high wing aircraft and I have to say this was definitely a treat.  The S-7S I flew had just been fully upgraded to the latest model specs and is very similar to the new 2012 model Rans S-7S kit.  You can buy the S-7LS version as a fully built factory LSA (Light Sport Aircraft) or you can order the S-7S kit and build it yourself - so either option is available.

I would say a person could build out a very nice S-7S for around $70,000 and that is a completely built, painted, and ready to fly aircraft.  I spent some time looking over the S-7S in detail and I was very impressed by the overall kit design and components used.  All the hardware and component pieces that are a part of the kit look exceptional in quality and appearance (and that is coming from a 20 + year A&P).  I noticed details like windshield fitment and nose cowling alignment were very clean - no gaps or odd fitting areas.  Even fine component and assembly hardware detailing is found throughout the tandem seat interior (pilot front / passenger aft).  The Rans S-7S is just a very complete kit with sharp attention to the details - it was not hard to find the quality in this beautiful Kitplane!

The first thing I noticed while getting ready to fly the S-7S was good seat positioning, interior room for a tandem, and overall visibility.  Once you rollout for takeoff and get airborne the visibility is just awesome!  Enjoying some low and slow sightseeing or looking for traffic in the pattern is done with ease in the S-7S - the view from both front and aft seating positions is perfect.  Also, you can leave one of the doors latched full up and open during flight without a problem ( at moderate speeds and below).

The S-7S I flew was equipped with the typical 100 hp Rotax 912 series engine we see in many Kitplanes these days.  The Rotax 912 works out very well in the S-7S Courier and provides cruise speed around 110 mph.  With Rotax 912 power, the S-7S leaves the ground early on takeoff and short field operations are at your service.  Take a look at the S-7S full specs for additional details;

Rans S-7S Factory Specs ----->  http://www.rans.com/build-it-yourself-kits/152


Flying the S-7S is a delight with flight control stick forces that are weighted properly and never feel overly sensitive.  The S-7S is easy to fly with cable operated Aero-Servo Differential ailerons and rudder (Rans uses ball bearing aircraft cable pulleys for very smooth control feel).  The elevator is operated by push-pull tubes and the aircraft kit comes standard with electric elevator trim.  The S-7S was a treat to fly and I think this is an excellent aircraft choice for those looking into high-wing Kitplane options.  Take a look at this recent Rans video for an overview of the current 2012 S-7LS Courier (Light Sport factory built version);

Rans S-7LS -----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvZP46YtCl0&feature=player_embedded