AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2016 - 73

aileron forces are set lower, and the result
is that the pilot thinks the forces are equal.
Schlitter also believes aircraft capabilities shouldn't be exaggerated. After claiming
the Venterra is a 115-knot airplane, he proceeded to demonstrate its speed using the
autopilot that comes standard, and came up
with slightly more than 113 knots. Given that
it was a heavy load and a gusty day, I'll grant
him the additional 1.6 knots.
The creation of so many diverse designs
over the years-from ultralights to kitplanes, totaling 5,000 sales worldwide-is
testimony to Schlitter's designing skill. (He
sold the bicycle production line that was
part of the factory until December 2014.)

A propeller-driven concept model in his
office that looks like a jet shows he intends
to create additional aeronautical personalities in the future. "I won't say I'm working
on a drone [that could carry humans] and I
won't say I'm not," he added.
Of course, airplanes don't have real
personalities, but it does make you wonder
what happens inside the hangar at night
after the door closes. Maybe that's why
locals think they have seen the Blue Light
Lady. She is on her way to Rans Airport to
calm any personality clashes at the Rans
Flight Center.
AOPA
EMAIL alton.marsh@aopa.org

ALL DRESSED UP with a glass cockpit
(opposite page, top left) and likely to
become even fancier is the theme for the
speedy S-19 Venterra that takes advantage
of nearly all the speed allowed in the Light
Sport category. Taxi and landing lights are
placed in the nose beneath the propeller
spinner (top right). Hydraulic brakes on
the pilot's side (lower left) come standard
on the Venterra. Dual brake controls are
offered as an option. The main landing gear
is two-piece spring aluminum construction.
Visibility is all over the place thanks to the
clear canopy (bottom right).

SPEC SHEET

RANS S-20LS RAVEN

RANS S-19LS VENTERRA

Base price as tested:

$125,000

$165,000

Powerplant

Rotax 912 ULS, 100 hp

Rotax 912 ULS, 100 hp

Propeller

70 in dia Whirl Wind 3 blade

70 in dia Sensenich 2 blade

Length

21 ft in

20 ft

Height

6 ft 6 in

7 ft 11 in

Wingspan

30 ft 3 in

28 ft

Empty weight, as tested

720 lb

820 lb

Max gross weight

1,320 lb

1,320 lb

Payload w/full fuel, as tested

446 lb

368 lb

Fuel capacity

26 gal (25.7 gal usable)
156 lb (154.2 lb usable)

24 gal (22 gal usable)
144 lb (132 lb usable)

Baggage capacity

80 lb, 21 cu ft

70 lb, 13 cu ft

Takeoff distance, ground roll

300 ft

325 ft

Rate of climb, sea level

900 fpm

900 fpm

(fuel consumption), 3,000 ft

98 kt/4.4 hr

113 kt/3.6 hr

@ 75% power, best economy 98 kt/4.4 hr

(30 pph/5 gph)

(30 pph/5 gph)

340 ft

325 ft

VX (best angle of climb)

48 kt

61 kt
65 kt

SPECIFICATIONS

PERFORMANCE

Cruise speed/endurance w/45-min rsv

Landing distance, ground roll
LIMITING AND RECOMMENDED AIRSPEEDS

VY (best rate of climb)

65 kt

VA (design maneuvering)

84 kt

104 kt

VFE (max flap extended)

70 kt

74 kt

VNE (never exceed)

113 kt

130 kt

VSO (stall, in landing configuration)

29 kt

41 kt

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact Rans Designs, 4600
Highway 183 Alt., Hays, Kansas
67601; 785-625-6346; email
michele@rans.com;
www.rans.com.
All specifications are based on
manufacturer's calculations. All
performance figures are based
on standard day, standard
atmosphere, sea level, gross
weight conditions unless otherwise noted.

EXTRA

Excellent payload for a
Light Sport aircraft.

The aircraft flew slightly faster than
113 knots true airspeed in rough air
during a flight for this article, close
enough to the company promise of
115 knots.
www.aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 73
http://www.rans.com http://www.aopa.org/pilot
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2016
