 |
|
| |
| After flying the plane for over 430 hours, since June of 2007, we finally decided on a name. There was the idea from now on our planes would not get popular names, just numbers, but after many flights through controlled airspace and discussions with controllers as to why all our other planes had names, we changed our mind. The word is custom made, composed of vent which means wind in Italian, and terra, Latin for earth. Wind over the earth, that describes very aptly what flying is about, so it is a perfect name for one heck of a plane! We will be making available an official Venterra decal. |
| Three Flying |
| The third Venterra is flying and based out of a town near Phoenix. The plane features a full analog panel. It was very relaxing flying analog after so many hours behind digital panels. The panel added about 8 pounds over digital, but the all up weight with autopilot was only a pound more than the #2 S-19LS. The reason for less empty weight is our constant effort to keep shaving off extra pounds. The ultimate goal is to be just sub 800. |
| First Customer Plane to Fly Soon |
| More Venterra‘s will be taking to the air. George Happ of Matco is nearing completion his 914 powered versions. This should be an exciting combination. I predict an easy 160 MPH at 10,000 feet, and a fuel burn of less than 4 per hour. We are on the door step of a new wave of ultra light, efficient and fast planes. Think about it, the S-19 has an 11 to 1 glide, a clean design like that with a 100 HP at above 10,000 feet is going to go at least 15% faster than at sea level = 138kts (158.7). George was claiming 150 MPH at 18K with an S-7S and a 914! |
| Also think about this, where else can you buy that much HP and still have it left at above 10K? The 914 is expensive when compared to the 912’s but that is the wrong way to look at things. Instead compare it too a 160 HP Lycoming, because the net horse power at cruising altitude and the power to weight are similar, but with a lower fuel burn. The 160 will be down to about 112, while the Rotax is still making 115 HP, and in an engine that is 120 pounds lighter, the overall power to weight will be better in the Rotax plane. |
| Main Gear Legs |
| We ordered gear legs back in March of 2009, and waited and waited. While we waited we also tried other vendors, most failed to provide. We finally got 20 sets, and they were quickly sent to our fast moving builders. We now believe the main gear supply problem is behind us, since we have a very reliable vendor making the next batch. First articles should be arriving soon, and a flow of main gear legs will follow. The supplier is the well known Langair, who has been supplying us with the tapered steel main gear legs and nose gear strut for the S-19 for many years. Thanks Harmon for getting into the flat bar landing gear business! |
| Kit Delivery |
| Since we are now past the initial surge of orders, kit processing time will be short, as in 8 to 10 weeks, and maybe less. We are building up inventory of Venterra kits, so if you have friends on the fence about an order, let them know we are loading the pipeline. |
| DVD for Engine Install |
| We are rapidly moving towards a paperless tech manual. DVD’s are the way to go, they offer the ability to see what we are doing, and to stop and study. To test this, we are sending out the tech information on installing the 912ULS engine in DVD format. There will be no paper manual, you can say it is an attempt at greening up things, but it really could be the best way to do tech. Think about it, the price of a DVD player is less than $100, and most everyone has a TV or laptop that can do duty on the shop floor. You can have color photos, and someone who actually put the thing together telling you what to do. We hope this will be accepted, because we see it as the way to faster better builds. |
| Interior Kits Available |
| We have a few interior kits in stock and have started shipping. The kit will feature DVD instructions. There are two colors available, the standard gray, and now a light tan. The tan interior was featured in the latest Venterra that went to Arizona. |
|
|
 |
|
|
| Tow Bar Available |
| Although you can get these free (all you have to do is buy a ready to fly Venterra), you can now purchase the official S-19 tow bar separately. Welded of aircraft grade Cro-moly steel, powder coated in red, and bagged in a padded case (so it does not bang around in your plane), the tow-bar sells for $95. Yep, a bit higher than the Sporty’s version, but it is light and purpose built. The bag and tow-bar are made right here at RANS too. |
|
 |
|
| 0-200D Engine Mount for Venterra |
| We are creating at least the engine mount and cowling for the 0-200 for the S-19 Venterra. The intent is to eventually fly on this engine, but that will be many moons down the road, however we will be happy to post any progress as fly date approaches. The “D” engine is about 15 pounds lighter than the original 0-200, but still many pounds above the 912ULS, we plan on a carbon cowling and a few other things to give this install a fighting chance at performance. |
| In Other News……… |
| This is an open invite to express your opinions about our possible return to the ultra light market. I have always enjoyed the flying a UL offers, simple, low cost, and with the right plane, a fun flying feast. Most all of our single seaters went dormant due to our need to concentrate on the S-19 project, and now that the program is successful and running smooth, we have the itch to perfect a new UL. |
| The big buzz these days is electric power, and being interested in the low cost and clean potential of e-flight, I have been sketching up various ideas for a 103 legal plane. The one idea that has been winning the most appeal from staff and yours truly is a lighter roomier re-vamp of the S-4. There is just something about a sweet flying single seat high wing taildragger, which the charm never wears off. |
| The proposed plane would have some interesting aspects that would hopefully make it a fun e-flyer. |
| Folding wings |
| Welded steel tube fuselage |
| Standard aircraft fabric covering |
| Semi-reclined seating position |
| Easy entry door |
| ½ or 1- hour flight time |
| Traditional configuration with non-traditional styling |
| Under 12K price for complete plane |
| Under 20K price for a fly away plane |
| All prices subject to change, we know that! |
|
|
| Be my guest to email me and discuss this project, I will answer as I can, and hopefully we can see something fun come out it. |
| I hope you have enjoyed this bit of RANS news, and we hope to do this again real soon, perhaps every month or so, when we have something to talk about! |
| |
| |
|
