New TW pilot here. Not “Backcountry” approved, yet! Looking for input from pilots who have flown both Ran’s S6 and S7. I’ve reviewed the published differences. Looking for differences in airframe durability, handling, etc. Are parts an issue with the S6? Why are the used S7’s twice as much as used S6’s? Are they twice as good?

I’ve got a fair number of hours flying the S-7. It’s a wonderful handling airplane that feels…just right. Very Cub-like. Great slow slight characteristics.

Have not flown the S-6 but I believe it owes more to the Coyote lineage. I don’t think it can be considered the side-by-side version of the S-7. A local friend here with a Super Cub flew one on floats and was not a fan, said he struggled with it. But that could be more a function of the floats.

There used to be 2 or 3 S-6 guys here, if they are still around perhaps they will chime in.

There are a few of us on here with S7's, not sure if any of the guys in the past had S6's. I can say the S7 is a blast to fly! I had basically put mine in storage for various reasons and recently listed it for sale. I went through the plane and have been flying it the past few evenings to get a feel for it again. Sporty bugger for sure! My landings need a bit more practice, but I will get it down in the next couple of days. It's been on a set of Full Lotus amphib floats for the last 3 years.

Wife was there to make sure I landed in one piece!

The low pass was to scare a bear off the end of the strip. Turd seems to be hanging around quite a bit.

My last couple of landings were 'dead stick' engine at idle, bit of a boounce trying to get in short.

https://youtu.be/xQoq-rzMdsU?si=9vZ56-cF19yWnOJ0

The S7 is a lot of fun. mine was impossible to "stall", it just lost altitude. the biggest difference is the visibility, though the wings S7 vs S6 are different, actually the S6 has at least 3 different variations. i have flown the "standard" wing and its a bit stiffer and more sloggy (official aviation terms) than the S7 wing. Both are well behaved and good beginner tailwheel aircraft with good rudder authority throughout. the S6 can also come with a "speedwing", faster cruse and stall, but a sportier handler. RANS still makes S6 parts, so that is not an issue, though a particular part may need to be manufactured vs sitting on the shelf.

I am partial to the S7 for the view but you would not go wrong either way. The S 20 has the same wing and tail as the S7 with side by side seating, if that is important.