courierguy wrote:PULLEd rivets is the preferred term, less Ace Hardware, more Aircraft Spruce, sounding.

Hahaha yeah....they're still pop rivets[emoji1]. Just takes a better puller.

Don't quote me on this...but I think the aviation pulled rivets I use on my Murphy differentiate from a typical 'pop' rivet in that the stem is retained in the rivets supplied with my kit.Unlike a pop-rivet that the stem falls out.Not sure if Rans is using the same type or not.

Rans uses Cherry Q's for structural stuff but there's plenty of those little 1/8 ones they sell at NAPA used in other places.

They work fine, especially for those of us that know nothing much about driving solid rivets. Sure get no complaints from me over them.

Haven’t touched the Outbound for the last couple weeks, but made some good progress today. Several hundred “pop rivets” replaced the clecos on the top skin of the right wing. Really hoping to have both wings ready for paint before the fuselage kit shows up this spring.

Nicely done!

More progess this afternoon on the Outbound! The first three Outbound wing kits that were shipped from Rans, had no stringer on the bottom side of the wing. After some flight tests, Rans decided to add a stringer to the bottom side to keep the skins from fluttering. So, we received the parts for this mod from Rans. This requires notching the ribs and back drilling the skins to accept the stringer. I think is a good addition. The process is relatively simple and worth the effort. The pictures below show back-drilling the skins and notching the ribs. I also included some detail of the flap mechanism and ribs for those that are interested. Still impressed with this kit and the ease of assembly. Good job Rans!

That's an interesting wing design. I'm used to seeing a pretty beefy spar running down the wing at about 40% back from the leading edge. This wing doesn't have a spar there, or anywhere visible in the middle area of the wing. How is it supported? Is there a front spar and a rear spar?

Flyhound wrote:That's an interesting wing design. I'm used to seeing a pretty beefy spar running down the wing at about 40% back from the leading edge. This wing doesn't have a spar there, or anywhere visible in the middle area of the wing. How is it supported? Is there a front spar and a rear spar?

The forward spar is made from a “D” shaped extrusion and forms the leading edge. The rear spar is “Z” extrusion. The two are tied together by the steel truss at the strut attach.

I stopped by Rocky Mountain Kitplanes south of SLC this weekend, and checked in with Mark Pringle. While he was finishing up lunch I got to eyeball a partially completed S-21 wing. The first thing I noticed, that I have not heard remarked on yet, is the sexy S curve it has in the bottom chord, not just a constant curve or flat but what appears to be some heavy duty aero magic... maybe this is common (and I'm not saying it's unique) but I've not noticed it before on other wings. Common for Riblett maybe? My T-Craft for instance, as I recall, the bottom curved, but not up and down. Also, the overall depth of the airfoil is a LOT deeper then the S-7S wing I am used to, but that bottom is the main thing that struck me as different, chime in please if this is more common then I think. I planned to post a pic of it but it didn't come out. Two 20 gallon wing tanks, if using a Rotax varient, will provide all day duration and REALLY good range.

Looking at it, I wanted to pick up a pair of cleco pliers and a rivet gun, looking at a fabric wing under construction just makes me glad my plane is built, this thing looks like it would a piece of cake to build. There will still be the usual parts that will make you tear your hair out, but for an experienced builder anyway the thing should go together laughably quickly, as compared to past methods of kit plane construction. I can't wait to see how that wing flies, on a S-7S in particular, and I was told that is in the works, and it will have an extended span so the same squares as the 7 has now. I'm ready to put those wings on my plane right now, but RANS has yet to offer them for the 7, but they are coming. Meanwhile, for this tandem pilot, I am still getting turned on by this side by sider, maybe I need two planes? What I have now, for way off airport boonie bashing, ski flying and landing ridge tops, and something that a passenger would likely prefer more then a tandem, that cruises faster and can still handle mild off airport and for sure anything called an airstrip. I already figured out where I can build another "tractor shed/farm equipment building" on my rural property, that scares me right there. Keep posting JeredP!

Beautiful work so far! I'm financially maneuvering to purchase an S21 kit by next spring. I'm considering going with a mid time O320 as I'm on a strict budget. I figure I'll trade 30hp for a lower purchase price and a compression ratio low enough to run mogas. I have boys at home too, and I'm really looking forward to getting them involved like you have. Please keep the reports coming! I'll need to live vicariously until I have one of my own:)

This is really coming together well. I’m watching this intently as my wing kit will be ready at some point. I’m working on the S-20 Fuselage now. Thanks for putting so much work into documenting things. Also, good on you for having the kids so involved.

Brett

J:

Thanks for posting your progress! I have been following with interest!

I have been anxious to get more info on the S 21. I was hoping by now there would be some videos posted with flying versions. But so far, haven't found anything.

I am assuming that Rans has a completed version? Did you fly in it and, if so, was wondering if you had any observations? Take off roll, speed at touchdown, handling characteristics, suitability for backcountry operations, etc. Did they meet the posted performance numbers they were advertising? Was the version you flew the 340 Titan version?

Someone was observing earlier in this thread that the completed cost was the cost of a completed plane. Yes but..., the posted operating envelope for this plane on the bottom end sounds cub-like and on the top end, way better than a cub. If these operating characteristics hold, for a cost less than a cub (significantly less) and performance close to that of a cub, it seems to me to be a good value.

Would be interested in your thoughts.

Regards, L

In the experiemental world, we sometimes get onboard before a new design is finalized, IF the company is more then vapor ware. RANS has such a good rep, for so many decades now, many are receiving and building 21 kits before the final details AND performance numbers are all worked out. Maybe I'm wrong, but I doubt JeredP HAS flown in a completed version, much less a Titan powered one. No one has....sounds crazy I know, but we have faith in RANS that they will pull it off, and sure we (I'm too busy flying my S-7S, but I am watching.....) could wait until all the t's were crossed and the i's dotted, but other kitplane designs have undergone similar gestation periods in public, it all depends on how good the company is. You think VANS would have a hard time selling kits, while still finalizing a design? I don't, it for sure takes some major trust but for us true believers it's better to get in on the ground floor, sooner.

I for one wouldn't go so far as to compare it to a Super Cub on the low end, that is a sure fired way to get "those people" riled up, but we'll see. When that Riblett designed airfoil wing becomes available for the S-7, in a extended span version, I'll get one and let you know. My current S-7 has no problems STOL wise when flying with Cubs. None But I do think that wing on the 21 is a bit more aimed towards the go fast crowd, but not quite as much the go slow as possible/land anywhere Cub STOL crowd. It will probably be slow enough AND fast enough to make the compromise worthwhile, my 2 cents worth.

88H wrote:J:

Thanks for posting your progress! I have been following with interest!

I have been anxious to get more info on the S 21. I was hoping by now there would be some videos posted with flying versions. But so far, haven't found anything.

I am assuming that Rans has a completed version? Did you fly in it and, if so, was wondering if you had any observations? Take off roll, speed at touchdown, handling characteristics, suitability for backcountry operations, etc. Did they meet the posted performance numbers they were advertising? Was the version you flew the 340 Titan version?

Someone was observing earlier in this thread that the completed cost was the cost of a completed plane. Yes but..., the posted operating envelope for this plane on the bottom end sounds cub-like and on the top end, way better than a cub. If these operating characteristics hold, for a cost less than a cub (significantly less) and performance close to that of a cub, it seems to me to be a good value.

Would be interested in your thoughts.

Regards, L

The RANS Designs Facebook page has a number of videos of the 912 powered S21 including a video of take off and landing roll comparisons with the 912 powered S20. According to that page, the Titan powered S20 with the 141 wing was recently completed, and flight testing has begun. There are several pics and a video of it on the ground, but nothing about flight test results yet. There is also a customer flying Titan powered S20 with the original wing. He is reporting a cruise of about 140 so the estimates for the S21 with the cleaner fuselage and wing should be pretty close. To my knowledge, there isn't a Titan powered S21 yet flying. I believe the RANS demo is under construction, but the Titan version took a back seat to the Rotax version while they were seeking SLSA approval. Can you tell I've been following their progress intently? Haha

Liaro:

Thanks for the update! I have been watching the development of this plane too. This plane sounds pretty interesting to me. Good mix of speed, load hauling and short landing and take off.

Will be interested to see how it progresses!!

L

Jered,

Any updates? I’ve been passively monitoring to this point, but I’ve now got a wing kit in the garage. Wondering how you’re coming.

Brett

Sorry about the lack of updates, it’s been due to lack of progress. Spring has been busy but we did get in a few hours a couple days ago. Happy to say we have the got the structure of the right wing done! This week were going to try and complete the fuel tank installation and move on to the left wing. Plan is have both wings done before the fuselage kit ships(we’ve heard end of summer for delivery). More to come.

Bump

Holy crap, the summer is flying by! We have not been idle on the Outbound. Hangar time has been sporadic but we are skinning the second wing. Really hoping we’ll be done with this wing in the next couple weeks before we start harvest. Fuselage kit should be shipping any day and the deposit was made on the Titan 340 this week. More updates and pictures to come.

Watching this with interest. Any further updates?

Cheers
CB