More About the Coyote  

Why has the S-6ES been so successful worldwide? Smart buyers know the real thing when they see it, and the Coyote II from RANS stands up to even the most discriminating. Since beginning production in 1989 the Coyote II has transformed the sport plane world. Being very popular in Europe and world wide, the design endures steady sales, and a large following. Over 1600 Coyote II’s have been produced; this fleet of sport planes operates in over 50 countries. The conclusion is the S-6ES is a solid plane, and a solid investment. Coyote II’s hold their value and are prized pre-owned aircraft. It is a sport plane of useable value, a tough trainer; some airframes have over 3000 hours. It can operate in the raging winds of Kansas; we still do demos when it is blowing in the 30MPH plus range.  It can operate on desserts, float on lakes, or land at high elevations. The cabin is roomy fitting from 5’2” to 6’6”, and weather tight.  With the optional heater, fly year round. The Coyote II is the plane often copied but never duplicated. It is the plane the fulfills and defines sport flying to a “T”, STOL, with fast cruise 105 MPH to 120 MPH, depending on wing and engine options), affordable, in a fantastically complete, well crafted kit, from a company owned and operated by same folks since 1974. 

The fuselage features a welded steel cage and anodized aluminum tube tailcone. At the RANS factory we carefully CNC miter every joint of the welded cage for best fit and weld. After several inspections the cage is sandblasted then powder coated.  This form of construction is light and strong, and very durable. An integral welded steel cage provides a longer lasting structure with tremendous occupant protection. Assembly is faster and more accurate since the cage is already complete. You can build a real plane in a matter of 350 to 500 hours. This is not some leaky, squeaky, rattlebox, but a smooth, solid, refined flying machine, that will be there for the long haul.  

Attention to detail will be apparent the more you view these photos. Floorboard comes stained and varnished, made of light, strong Baltic plywood.

Gear truss is 30% stronger in 2004 (trike version). The already tough S-6ES just gets tougher.

Laser cut stainless steel firewall comes profiled to accommodate the engine install. Speeds assembly and looks more professional.

Light and strong cable bracing checks diagonal loads in the tailcone. All the cables in the Coyote II come swaged and ready to use.

CNC cut aft tailcone bulkhead comes ready to rivet into place. This is only one example of the fine crafting throughout the entire kit.

Station 3 cluster shows fittings for swinging wing, and floatplane bushing, these are standard on all Coyote II airframes.

The optional aft baggage compartment comes as a pre-sewn unit that simply slips into place and tensions with two straps. The door opening is a CNC milled and stamped part that fits perfectly to the tailcone and rivets in place. 

The secret to the light and strong tailcone assembly is this three-way cluster. The tubes come drilled and the tailcone assembles in a few hours with the very accurate cluster fittings. It makes a very strong and reliable joining method for aluminum tubes, as opposed to welding, which would require heat treating, and added expense in both cost in shipping. Such a structure has the advantage of compact shipping, ease of assembly and repair.