Photograph:
Rans S-7 Courier 19-7222 at Temora, NSW in April 2012 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat cabin monoplane
Power Plant:
One 58 kw (78 hp) Rotax 912 four-cylinder four-stroke liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.93 m (29 ft 3 in)
- Length: 6.4 m (21 ft)
- Height: 1.92 m (6 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 14.02 m² (151 sq ft)
- Max speed: 193 km/h (120 mph)
- Cruising speed: 169 km/h (105 mph)
- Stalling speed: 48 km/h (30 mph)
- Rate of climb: 244 m/min (800 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 4,115 m (13,500 ft)
- Range: 806 km (501 miles)
- Fuel capacity: 68 litres (15 imp gals)
- Take-off run: 72 m (235 ft)
- Landing run: 91 m (300 ft)
- Empty weight: 272 kg (600 lb)
- Payload: 238 kg (525 lb)
- Loaded weight: 544 kg (1,200 lb)
History:
The Courier is marketed by Rans Inc of Hays, Kansas, USA and was introduced to the Company’s range in 1985. Originally designed as a trainer for the Coyote I, with tandem seating for two, it in itself has become popular and has been built in some numbers around the world. It is one of a series of light aircraft available in kit form from Rans Inc. A number of examples of various models have been constructed by amateur builders in Australia and New Zealand. Construction is of metal tube with fabric covering, and more than 300 have been completed around the world. The aircraft may be fitted with the 48 kw (65 hp) Rotax 582 or the 58 kw (78 hp) Rotax 912.
Examples have been fitted with floats in the United States. It is usually fitted with a tailwheel undercarriage and construction is of welded steel tube with fabric covering. The kit includes the engine, propeller and instruments. First of the type registered in Australia was VH-ZMA (c/n V330) in March 1997. A number have been built under Recreational Aircraft Australia (RAA) regulations, including 19-5144 (c/n 1298260) with a Rotax 912ULS engine registered on 3 September 2007 and 19-7222 (c/n 908515) with a Rotax 912ULS engine registered on 3 July 2009.