Ron Wanttaja wrote:
On Mon, 03 Jan 2005 19:10:45 -0600, Rick Pellicciotti
wrote:

I have experience with RANS and Kitfox aircraft. I have personally
built 5 RANS kitplanes and I have known Randy Schlitter since 1988.
The
airplanes are top notch, customer support and service are second to
none. RANS has a production certificate in hand and can build S-7
Couriers today. To my knowledge, this is the only LSA legal, new
airplane that is certified right now.

If I may make a slight clarification, Rick: The S-7 meets the FAR
Part 1 Light
Sport Aircraft definition, and thus can be legally flown by Sport
Pilots. But
as far as I know, it is certified in the Standard airworthiness
category
(probably Normal or Primary), *not* as a Special Light Sport
aircraft.

The S-7 must be annualed by an A&P with an Inspection Authorization,
and cannot
be inspected or have major maintenance performed by a person with a
Light Sport
Maintenance Repairman Certificate. Nor can it be transitioned into
the
Experimental Light Sport Aircraft category to allow all maintenance
by the owner
and inspections by those with an LS-I Repairman Certificate.

I'm betting RANS can have one of the first planes certified as SLSA,
if they
wish. But existing Standard category S-7s won't be able to
transition.

However, like you said, they *are* LSA legal...from the point of view
of those
who wish to fly as Sport Pilots.

Ron Wanttaja


Yes, Ron. The S-7 is certified and RANS has a production certificate
for it in the Primary category. I agree with you that they could be
one of the first US manufacturers to build SLSA aircraft but the last
conversation I had with Randy, he indicated that he was going to go the
experimental route for now.

I wish I had the command of the written word that you have. I could
have explained it better. You did a great job.

Rick