Originally Posted by
Dr_Tre
Hi folks
I'm in the early stages of looking at buying a share in a Rans S6 and just have a few questions (I have searched the forum for answers - honest!) for anyone who flies/ has flown one and maybe had dealings with the 'engineering' side of them too.
Not necessarily the most modern aeroplane of that class - I'd also look at the X'Air, Sky Ranger, Thruster T600, Ikarus C42 at-least. That said, many people have had a lot of fun with the Rans, so I'd not discount it either.
1. The skins on the aircraft were last replaced in 2002. The aircraft is kept covered in a hangar 99.9% of the time and the skins seem to be in good condition from what I can see. Is there a time limited lifespan on the skins or are they just replaced as required?
They are lifed by inspection - and the polyester fabric is degraded primarily by UV light. If it's kept in a dark hangar, the sails are potentially fine. On BMAA aeroplanes the standard test would be with a device called a Bettsometer (I don't know the LAA system so well, but I'd guess they do something similar) and it does no harm to check this.
2. What is the approx cost of replacing the skins?
The UK Rans dealer is
SkyCraft who should be able to tell you the price of new sails.
3. Theres no power socket for GPS, how easy and approx how much £££ would it cost to install one?
LAA minor mod, probably around £45, plus a few quid for parts, moderate effort and a bit of time from your local inspector. This assumes the engine has a rectifier/regulator already fitted to the lighting coil.
4. The engine is relatively new having undergone its first 50 hr inspection (airframe 900 hrs) its a rotax 582-48, is that a blue or silver top (or is it not that easy to tell apart)?
The blue top (model 99) and silver top (model 90) are both 582/48-2V; they're basically interchangeable - just the newer blue-top is a bit more robust. They're easy to tell apart visually - just look at the paint colour on the cylinder head - it'll be either silver or blue.
900 hrs on the airframe, and 50 on the engine, is fine so long as it all seems to be in good condition. Do check the logbooks to make sure the maintenance schedules have been followed properly.
5. Approx cost of engine overhaul at 300 hrs?
See
2-st service prices ; but you can do it yourself and just pay for parts.
This would be my first foray into microlights hence my limited knowledge! - Thanks everyone, I appreciate your help
You'll enjoy yourself - simple 2-stroke engined microlights like this are fantastic in terms of fun for your money, and so long as you're not in a hurry, great for running around the country into little strips and big airports alike.
A final thought - the pilots notes for the Rans are poor to the point of being dangerous. Get yourself converted by an experienced pilot on type (preferably the individual aeroplane), don't just use the manual and teach yourself onto the aeroplane.
Final point, you'll obviously need differences training with a microlight instructor. Shouldn't take long if you're a reasonably experienced light aeroplane pilot, but don't skimp - microlights are different in enough ways that'll bite you if not trained.
G