Rans S6 and similar
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Shrewsbury
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Would be very interested in how the OP got on, also are there any undercarriage upgrades available?
I have read a few articles about failures and the recommendation was replace main legs every 300 hours!
Any advice?
Roddie
I have read a few articles about failures and the recommendation was replace main legs every 300 hours!
Any advice?
Roddie
With such experienced pilots and no indication, other than flap assymetry of structural failure, one worries.
l find the 116 wing model has benign characteristics.
l find the 116 wing model has benign characteristics.
I did my conversion to NPPL microlight and then my first 400 hours in a Rans S6ESD. Of all of the microlight aircraft I have flown I found it to be the least likely to lead one into trouble. My example stalled in a straight line, with enough pre stall warning buffet to let you know, and recovered easily. When the flaps were set for landing and the throttle closed then the aircraft settled into a very stable glide. Usually I would set as given towards the end of the downwind leg and pretty much steer to the threshold with the rudder pedals and then land without touching the throttle. If necessary it could be side slipped big time down to 10 feet and still straightened up for a fully stalled landing. It was a delight. As MikeHallam says, a pretty benign aircraft.
I heard that the early main gear legs (hollow tubes) were a little likely to "take a set" if subjected to a "firm" arrival but these were superceded by solid tapered spring steel legs which would bend and then spring right back. I don't know if it was a compulsory change.
Apart from that I think that there was some doubts about the life expectancy of the teleflex cables which control the flap position. These cables are a bowden cable which is effectively un-maintainable as the ends are permanently attached and won't fit through the outer sleeve. The wear and tear of the inner cable cannot be inspected . The best you can do is attempt to force oil into the outer cable from one end and hope for the best. As the two flaps are pulled by independent cables one failure will give serious flap asymmetry............
Lastly, the airframe is totally covered with fabric which is degraded by UV exposure. There is a test for the strength of the fabric but I don't think it is rigorously applied. I saw one or two samples of fabric removed from Rans aircraft that could be torn like tissue paper. I knew it was time to replace mine when I put a finger through the skin on the top of the fuselage one day. To be fair, the top of the fuselage was the worst faded part of the aircraft skins and the weakest when tested. A timely warning.
Otherwise, I would have thought the aircraft had fewer issues than most.
Rans6...............
I heard that the early main gear legs (hollow tubes) were a little likely to "take a set" if subjected to a "firm" arrival but these were superceded by solid tapered spring steel legs which would bend and then spring right back. I don't know if it was a compulsory change.
Apart from that I think that there was some doubts about the life expectancy of the teleflex cables which control the flap position. These cables are a bowden cable which is effectively un-maintainable as the ends are permanently attached and won't fit through the outer sleeve. The wear and tear of the inner cable cannot be inspected . The best you can do is attempt to force oil into the outer cable from one end and hope for the best. As the two flaps are pulled by independent cables one failure will give serious flap asymmetry............
Lastly, the airframe is totally covered with fabric which is degraded by UV exposure. There is a test for the strength of the fabric but I don't think it is rigorously applied. I saw one or two samples of fabric removed from Rans aircraft that could be torn like tissue paper. I knew it was time to replace mine when I put a finger through the skin on the top of the fuselage one day. To be fair, the top of the fuselage was the worst faded part of the aircraft skins and the weakest when tested. A timely warning.
Otherwise, I would have thought the aircraft had fewer issues than most.
Rans6...............
Gladly supported. I took most of my training on the type and never had an issue. I did get warnings about stalling on the turn to final, but that is a danger to any type. And yes, the fabric covering doesn't last forever but that too is a well-known characteristic. No exceptional degree of care is required on these humble but dependable machines. Small wonder they are around in such ample numbers.
