Sport Aviation Expo, Deland Sport Aviation Showcase, E.A.A.'s Sun N Fun, E.A.A.'s Airventure, the Midwest LSA Show, Copperstate, UPAC Convention and Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany. We try to regularly attend regional shows like the Arlington Fly-In, and Rocky Mountain Fly-In. These include three axis control aircraft, weight shift control aircraft, more commonly known as trikes, powered parachutes, helicopters, gyrocopters and powered para-gliders that meet the light sport or ultralight aircraft definition.Īirshows and aircraft expositions that we cover include, the Deland Sport Aviation Showcase, U.S. These vintage ultralights - all dating from the early 1980s, now 40 years ago! - are recalled by many readers who are obviously pleased to see them back in the spotlight.Ultralight Aircraft Magazine - Welcome to the Ultralight Aircraft News our goal is to cover as many aircraft expositions that host aircraft described as ultralight aircraft, light sport aircraft, experimental light sport aircraft, amateur built aircraft, ELSA or homebuilt aircraft that fit into the definition of ultralight aircraft in Canada or light sport aircraft, or experimental amateurbuilt light sport aircraft in the United States. A hunger continues for affordable aviation (this website’s main focus) and this interest joins a fascination with the history of light aviation. The aircraft is available as a kit for amateur construction and can be assembled in 25-30 man-hours.Many of the early ultralights used a weight shift method. Based on response, Videoman Dave’s effort went over very well. The Weedhopper ultralight is an American high-wing, tractor configuration, tricycle gear, two-axis control ultralight aircraft originally developed by John Chotia during the height of the 1970s ultralight boom and introduced in 1977. The next installment will conclude this Vintage Ultralight series. Congratulations to the whole Rans team and its well-known leader. To say the single seater Coyote models (S-3, -4, and -5) led to Randy’s and Rans’ fame is not stretching the truth. S-4 and S-5 lead to the S-6 Coyote, a two seater, that has proven to be the most successful (by units sold) of any Rans Aircraft. Check the history of the engine and if uncertain, remove and inspect pistons for wear and seizure.Īt the time of production of this video The Ultralight Flyer would estimate the value of a used Rans S-4 and S-5 from the 1980s to be between $4,500 and $6,500. If you find a used Rans S-4 and S-5 The Ultralight Flyer recommends that the plane’s fabric be tested, the airframe, wings, landing gear, and the control systems be thoroughly inspected. When equipped with the more powerful engines, climb comes in at 750 feet per minute.Ĭruise speed in S-4/5 is 55 to 60 miles per hour while stall, using optimal flaps, is 25 miles per hour.īoth S-4/5 are enclosed cockpit designs but can be flown with the doors removed (which all of we early ultralight pilots love).Įither model can be fitted with floats or skis and cabin heat and ventilation is available. They have a center-mounted stick and left-hand throttle.Īs Randy is a longtime fan of Rotax aircraft engines, power was supplied to S-4/5 by the single cylinder Rotax 277 at first followed by the more powerful, twin-cylinder 377 or 447 engines. “No special tools or jigs are required to build the planes and they can be built in a single car garage.”īoth Rans S-4 and S-5 feature standard stick-and-rudder three-axis controls with flaps.
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“Rans’ manuals and instructional building guides lead the industry in completeness,” expressed Dave. Kit assembly time for these fairly simple aircraft was between 100 and 125 hours.
Most of Randy’s designs are high-wing, strut-braced, tractor aircraft, though a smaller number of models were pushers and one current model is the low-wing S-19 Ventura.īoth S-4 and S-5 featured the same bolt-and-rivet-joined aluminum tube construction, covered in sewn, slip-on Dacron sailcloth envelopes. The Rans line of ultralight aircraft were first introduced at Sun ‘n Fun 1983. Then and today, most Rans models have been made available in both tricycle gear and taildragger configurations. I have often told Randy how I admired the factory finish of the airplanes he presents to interested pilots at airshows.Ī stickler for getting it right, Randy demurs my admiration but anyone who has closely examined his models at an event knows I am not exaggerating. “The quality and finish of his aircraft and kits has to be seen to be appreciated,” Dave added. “The founder of Rans Aircraft, Randy is one of the most prolific designers of ultralight, experimental and Light-Sport Aircraft that I know,” said Videoman Dave in his production of these ten vintage ultralight videos on his The Ultralight Flyer YouTube channel.
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