A First of Type in New Zealand - Rans S 21 ZK-DLH/2

The Rans S 21 Outbound is the latest design by Randy Schlitter of Rans Designs (formerly Rans Inc).  It is a departure for Rans as the aircraft is of all aluminium construction.  It was introduced at the EAA Airventure in 2016 but the prototype did not fly until 17 December 2017.

The S 21 is a high wing aircraft that can be built with tri-gear or as a taildragger.  It can be powered by a range of engines from the 100 HP Rotax 912 up to the 180 HP Continental X-340 Titan, which puts it into the Amateur Built Aircraft category in New Zealand.  Its dimensions are:  span 8.5 metres (28 feet) with a wing area of 141 square feet, length 6.82 metres (22 feet 5 inches).  With the Titan engine the empty weigh is around 447 Kg (985 pounds) and the MAUW in NZ is 816 Kg (1800 pounds).  Again with the Titan engine the cruise is around 155 mph (135 knots) and the stall with full flaps is quoted as 40 mph (35 knots).

Our first S 21 was registered in New Zealand back in December 2020 and we will see more of them as there are 5 more kits in the country, and the build time is quoted by Rans as 500 to 700 hours.

ZK-DLH2 (c/n 10190065) was built at Wanaka by long time ag pilot Don (L) Hart of Methven, and it was first registered to him on 22/12/20.  It is photo'd above during its first engine runs at Wanaka on 29/11/21, and has since successfully flown off its test hours  It has the 180 HP Titan engine installed and I reckon it will make a great back country aircraft for New Zealand conditions.

Thanks for the photo Steve.