Photograph:
Rans S-12 Super Airale S 19-3495 (c/n 04000915) at Narromine, NSW in April 2007 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Single-seat light sport aircraft
Power Plant:
One 48 kw (65 hp) Rotax 582 UL-2V two-cylinder, two-stroke, liquid-cooled electronic dual-ignition engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.04 m (26 ft 4 in)
- Length: 5.73 m (18 ft 8 in)
- Height: 2.13 m (7 ft)
- Wing area: 9.29 m² (100 sq ft)
- Max speed: 193 km/h (120 mph)
- Cruising speed: 153 km/h (95 mph)
- Stalling speed clean: 61 km/h (38 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 274 m/min (900 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 4,724 m (15,500 ft)
- Range: 238 km (148 miles)
- Take-off roll: 87 m (285 ft)
- Landing roll: 61 m (200 ft)
- Fuel capacity: 34 litres (7.4 imp gals)
- Empty weight: 163 kg (360 lb)
- Payload: 143 kg (315 lb)
- Loaded weight: 306 kg (675 lb)
History:
The S-12 Airale is one of a range of light aircraft designs released by Rans Inc of Hays, Kansa, USA. Designed to provide a performance aircraft with fine handling and balance in a quick-build package for amateur constructors, the type was introduced to the Company’s range in 1991. Construction is of welded steel cage and an aluminium tube superstructure. Two wing sizes are available, and engines in the 31 kw (42 hp) to 48 kw (65 hp) range, ie Rotax 447, 503 and 582, may be installed. Normal fuel capacity is 34 litres (7.4 Imp gals) but an optional second wing tank is available, increasing capacity to 68 litres (15 Imp gals). Undercarriage is tricycle.
The Airale is also produced in two-seat form, this being produced in two models, the S-12XL and S-12S, both being fitted with the Rotax 912 engine of 75 kw (100 hp). In the S-12XL a max speed of 161 km/h (100 mph) and a cruising speed of 145 km/h (90 mph) were available; but in the S-12S, which was a refined version to increase performance on the same engine, the maximum speed was increased to 193 km/h (120 mph) and the cruising speed to 161 km/h (100 mph). Rate of climb is 366 m/min (1,200 ft/min) and range is 579 km (360 miles).
The Airale series has been available in kit form for amateur builders and a number have been built in this region, mostly registered under AUF/RAA regulations, these including 10-1514, 19-3063, 19-3141, 19-3228, 28-0916, 28-0823 and 28-1060. One S-12S Airale II (VH-DOS – c/n 04000913 – ex N912OU) has been registered at New Farm in Queensland.