I finished my RANS S4 Coyote I in 849.5 hours over a two and a half year period.  I wanted a simple yet reliable single place airplane that I would finish and would be proud to own.  I had previously 'failed' to complete two earlier airplanes and the "cost of tuition" was becoming a problem - slick marketing produces sales; truthful marketing produces satisfied customers.  Count me among the latter

My construction experience was enhanced by the high quality packaging and completeness of the kit.  Add to this mix the ever responsive, clearly detailed, and thoroughly professional telephone/email assistance provided by Ed Schwab of RANS tech support; corporate America could learn a lot from Ed Schwab in particular and RANS in general.

With growing confidence in the RANS product - and through consultation with Ed - I made some decisions that led to Afternoon Delight.  I opted for the HKS 700E 60 hp four-stroke engine which required a custom engine mount designed and built for me by Lost Hill Aviation.  I fabricated a larger panel and equipped it with all the necessary day VFR and engine gauges.  A Kuntzleman Hot Box specific to the HKS made wiring much easier.  A BRS-800 softpack was nestled between the longerons aft of the seat, along with the gascolator, electric fuel pump, and battery.  Two nine gallon wing tanks give me plenty of range and check valves prevent crossfeeding.  A strobe light and an ELT provide some additional safety for cross country flight. The full range of RANS options were incorporated, such as upgraded seat, custom colors, doors, and so forth.  I hung a Tennessee Props 70x34 wooden prop on the front. The HKS muffler would not fit under the cowling so I installed a SuperTrapp instead.    All this added some weight which increased stall speed on paper.  I installed VGs on the wings and underside of the horizontal stab to compensate for this.

First Flight was made late in the afternoon of August 12, 2006.  Take-off weight was 760 lbs.  I was off the ground in 4 seconds.  Handling was delightful!  I flew around for an uneventful half hour, and brought Afternoon Delight back to earth in a perfect three point landing.    

Stan Levandowski (N219SL)