RANS Photo Essay

Many guests came early for tours of the plant.

“We like it!” was heard a lot around the display of the new S-19 all metal low wing. This plane will supersede the S-16 and should be flying by the end of the year.

Superflite’s Roger Lehnert easily held the attention of the crowd. Paint and fabric wisdom was his specialty, plus this very talented man was off to an air-show to perform his act in a J-3 Cub, what a busy guy, thanks Roger, for the very professional and fun session.

The hands on part of fabric covering are where many walk away with the confidence to cover their own plane. This short course in fabric literally ‘covers’ the ins and outs of tube and rags planes.

The show room was the center of action at the airport, with planes on display and demos departing constantly all day Friday and Saturday.

Dennis Keesling of Keesling Aviation, Hutchison Kansas gave an excellent seminar on Sport Pilot Training & Licensing on Saturday. Dennis will be operating a Sport Pilot Training School using RANS Aircraft out of Hutchison.

Eric Tucker, representing the Rotax Flying & Safety Club, is always a pleasure to listen too. Perhaps the most experienced Rotax expert on the planet. Eric gives a seminar with real world advice for the care and feeding of the Rotax line of engines.

Several RANS Aircraft grace the ramp along with Neil Salmi’s S-6S all the way from Townsend Montana. Neil and his wife Karen provide excellent service from the Dealership, and growing has fleet of RANS plane in the area.

Here comes the judge! Randy Schlitter runs about the ramp inspecting the planes for possible prizes. Lots of gift certificates for the RANS store were awarded.

Robert Dinkel races his buddy down the ramp on a couple of RANS bikes.

Chuck Feldt's beautiful S-6S and Tom Willis’s immaculate S-18 were some nice ramp candy for a couple days.

George Happ’s very pretty and powerful S-7S. George is owner and operator of MATCO Brakes and flies this 914-powered Courier in the mountains around his home in Utah. The plane climbs like an elevator and cruises an honest 135 MPH! Thanks George for bringing this bird out for us to play with.

Another close look at the sparking S-18 from Tom Willis. It won a cash award!

A crowded ramp, full of RANS planes is always a nice sight.

Friday night rains did not stop a little electic RC action on the ramp, this was also done indoors at the Banquet Saturday night.

Saturdays Banquet was the place for plenty of tasty food and awards

Our own aircraft assembly Supervisor Eddy Gill won the bike! He put in quite a few tickets to make it happen, all for a good cause, the United Way fund.