After four years of development and test flying, the S-7C Courier is back on track at Kansas-based Rans, with certification of the $55,000 two-seat sportplane expected next June.
The S-7 was designed more than a decade ago as a high-wing, tandem-seat, tailwheel kitplane. Rans has evolved the design for production by stretching the fuselage by 525mm (21in) to improve handling and stability, and by increasing engine output by 25% with the 75kW (100hp) Rotax 912S.
The price has increased by 10% from the company's projections at the beginning of development. The S-7C kit version costs nearly $30,000, including the Rotax engine, but without the avionics included in the factory-built version of the aircraft.
The aircraft has 25% better climb and payload than the original version and a cruise speed of about 105kt (195km/h).
Source: Flight International
