Photograph:
Rans S-10 Sakota ZK-ECA (c/n 0393157) at Wanaka, New Zealand in April 2000 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 58 kw (78 hp) Rotax 912 four-cylinder four-stroke horizontally-opposed liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 7.31 m (24 ft)
- Length: 5.45 m (17 ft 10 in)
- Height: 1.49 m (4 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 8.82 m² (95 sq ft)
- Max speed: 209 km/h (130 mph)
- Cruising speed: 193 km/h (120 mph)
- Stalling speed clean: 77 km/h (48 mph)
- Stalling speed with flaps: 71 km/h (44 mph)
- Rate of climb: 274 m/min (900 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 4,267 m (14,000 ft)
- Range: 869 km (540 miles)
- Fuel capacity: 69 litres (15 imp gals)
- Take-off roll: 61 m (200 ft)
- Landing roll: 122 m (400 ft)
- Empty weight: 231 kg (510 lb)
- Loaded weight: 458 kg (1,010 lb)
History:
The Rans series of aircraft is produced by Rans Inc at Hays in Kansas, USA. As will be noted elsewhere, a number of designs to meet various requirements are available, most being able to be completed as registered aircraft or under ultralight/RAA regulations. In more recent times engines in the 60 kw to 75 kw (80 hp to 100 hp) range have been installed, including the Rotax 912 and 912S.
The Sakota is a mid-wing two-seat side-by-side monoplane of all-metal construction with fabric covering. Engines in the 48 kw (65 hp) to 58 kw (78 hp) range, such as the Rotax 582, can be fitted. It was introduced to the Company’s range in 1988 and was aimed at the market for good performance design with good cross-country capability. It is stressed to +6 and – 3G at gross weight. Baggage volume is 0.22 m³ (8 cub ft) or 13.6 kg (30 lb). The kit supplied comes with an inverted fuel system, roll over protection, a high-back tailcone, engine, propeller and basic instruments. In the United States, where it is permitted to carry out aerobatic manoeuvres, it has a max weight for this role of 363 kg (800 lb).
The S-10 has been quite popular and over 250 kits have been built. First of the type registered in Australia was VH-SUX (c/n 1089063) in May 1997 in Queensland, this aircraft later becoming 19-7222 with the RAA. It was fitted with a Rotax 912A engine and was registered on 14 April 2011. 28-490 was fitted with a Rotax 582UL engine. A number of examples are also flying in New Zealand.