Expected to fly soon is RANS new demo S-7LS, featuring some improvements that create greater range, payload and more responsive handling, according to company officials.
Improvements include:
- Increased fuel capacity to 26 gallons, which will allow 5 hours of flight time. The new tanks feature a flush mount cap, common in GA planes. The tanks are rotational molded, polypropylene high impact plastic, usable with alcohol laced fuels.
- One Piece Stamped Ribs: A one piece stamped rib replaces the tubular rib design for increased strength and less weight.
- Aero Servo Ailerons: This type of aileron has a portion of the surface ahead of the hinge point. This makes the aileron lighter at the control stick since the aerodynamic forces are helping displace the aileron. The spade acts in the same way, and the reason to go to this type of aileron is to omit the spades, officials said, explaining, no spades means less head bumping, and a slight drag reduction.
- Carbon Fiber Parts Standard: A 20-plus pound reduction in empty weight has been affected with the use of carbon fiber parts for the boot cowl, cowling, and wing tips. These now come standard on the 2012 S-7LS.
The price: $87,000 for the standard equipped S-7LS. Production orders are being accepted with delivery times running four to six months, if one built to your liking is not already in stock, company officials add.
