|
| SEATS |
| The seats feature special foam bottoms that should protect occupants in up to 18G impacts, saving spinal injury. The seats also adjust fore and aft and feature a recline adjustment. |
| |
| CRUSH ZONES |
The front section of many light metal planes are bare of substantial structure, on the S-19LS there is an extra measure of stringers and bulkheads forming a crush zone to help absorb energy in event of a frontal impact.
|
| |
| ROLL BAR |
| Another safety aspect of the S-19LS is the roll bar, in fact two roll bars, since the canopy contributes substantially to the load bearing in roll over condition. |
| |
| SLIDING CANOPY |
| A sliding canopy can be viewed as a safety aspect, since one critical element of off field landings in a low wing is being able to exit the plane if upside down. A sliding canopy can be opened and locked prior to landing, providing an exit. |
| |
| CONTROL FEEL |
| The level of control feel created in the S-19LS is closer to a big plane feel, but with small plane response. In the S-19LS the control pressures offer feed back according to GA standards and not light sport. |
| |
| STABILITY PROFILE |
In conjunction with control feel, stability of the S-19LS has been highly praised by many who have flown several of the imported sport planes. The stability is another component of going beyond the standard, where no real call out for other than positive recovery is required, the S-19LS will stabilize from a pitch diversion in less than 2 cycles. Yaw stability is strong too, offer enough vertical tail volume to reduce adverse yaw to the point rudder tending in the turn is not required. |
| |
| FOUR-POINT SAFETY HARNESS |
| Keeping the occupants secure is a four point harness set up with proper angles as per part 23, for attachment to allow maximum retention in a manner to protect. |
| |
| DASH PLACEMENT |
| Sitting in the S-19LS many comment on how well they can see over the instrument panel. This not only offers great visibility unusual for a low wing craft, but a much unsuspected safety aspect. In the event of a frontal impact the occupants are less likely to impact against the dash since it is low profile, and as far forward as possible and still within average reach. There are no standards for interior layouts in any specific sense, but occupant safety has been a large inspiration of the design. |
| |
| CONTROL STICK PLACEMENT |
| Control sticks can be a source of fatal injury in an otherwise survivable crash. In the S-19LS the stick is as low as possible, and moves forward of the probable zone where an occupants head may travel in a high G near vertical or frontal impact. This is based on the predicted event upon impact the stick is moving forward, due to inertia release. |
| |
| FUEL TANKS AND LOCATION |
Fuel spillage in a crash is one of the highest factors in a fatal incident. To minimize this risk S-19LS has the fuel tanks placed outboard in the wing panels, rather than close inboard to the fuselage. In addition the tanks are constructed of high impact plastic. The tanks also can withstand any fuel type, as opposed to some composite tanks sensitive to additives commonly found in auto fuels. This is important since many S-19LS owners will use auto fuels, which are approved for use with the specified engine. |
| |
| VISIBILITY |
| See and be seen is one of the greatest defenses in avoiding mid air collision, and event almost certain to have fatal outcome. The wing position, seating posture, 360-degree view, and dash height, all combine to offer a view uncommon to a low wing. Over the nose is also a wide field of vision not only due to the low dash height, but the small power plant and the trimmed to fit cowling. An S-19LS is like modern autos where you can see the road ahead and little to nil of the hood. |
| |
| INSPECTION ACCESS |
| Airframes that impose more labor to perform inspections are airframes less inspected, despite what the regs may say. Encourage the process and you increase the quality of inspection. The S-19LS is a simple airframe with inspection access through easy removal of interior panels, and external plates. The external plates are moderate in number due to the planes compact size and simple structure. |
| |
| SUMMARY |
| The S-19LS is not a mere attempt to achieve the standard imposed by the ASTM for light sport planes, it is the successful creation of a sport plane that exceeds the stated standard through considerations for safety, ergonomics, durability, flying qualities and performance. |
| |
| Randy Schlitter |
| CEO RANS Designs Inc. |
| |
