Rans S 19 Venterra

Design and development

The S-19 was designed by Randy Schlitter in 2007 as a purpose-designed aircraft to take advantage of the new US LSA category, with the intention of offering the aircraft as a factory-complete Special LSA and as a kit-built Experimental LSA or amateur-built.

Unlike most other Rans models, which feature a welded 4130 steel tube cockpit with a bolted aluminum tube rear fuselage, the S-19 is an aluminum semi-monocoque design, with stressed skin construction supported with bulkheads, formers and stringers. The fuselage, wing and tail surfaces are covered in sheet aluminum. The wings are equipped with flaps.

The S-19 has tricycle landing gear with a fully castering nosewheel and steering via differential main wheel braking. The standard engine is the Rotax 912ULS of 100 hp (75 kW).

The designer originally intended to break with the company tradition of providing a name for the aircraft and just designate the aircraft as "S-19". Early aviation media reports referred to it as the "S-19 Sport Plane". But after confusion and inquiries by air traffic control during early flights, Schlitter decided a name was needed, saying, "It is a bit of poetic license, but with 19 designs it has become a challenge to create names that are original, we like the sound of Venterra over the radio, it is easy to say, and should satisfy ATC."

Operational history

In March 2017 there were 41 S-19s registered in the United States, none in Canada and one in the UK.

Variants

S-19

Initial version, kit-built aircraft for the US ELSA or experimental amateur-built categories, powered by a 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS

S-19LS

Factory-built version, for the US SLSA category, powered by a 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS

Specifications (S-19LS)

Data from Rans website

General characteristics

Crew: One

Capacity: one passenger

Length: 19 ft 10.75 in (6.0643 m)

Wingspan: 28 ft 0 in (8.53 m)

Height: 7 ft 11.5 in (2.426 m)

Wing area: 126.9 sq ft (11.79 m²)

Aspect ratio: 6.18:1

Empty weight: 820 lb (372 kg)

Gross weight: 1,320 lb (599 kg)

Fuel capacity: 24 US gallons (91 litres)

Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912ULS , 100 hp (75 kW)

Propellers: 2-bladed composite ground adjustable, 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) diameter

Performance

Cruise speed: 128 mph (206 km/h; 111 kn)

Stall speed: 45 mph (72 km/h; 39 kn) flaps down

Never exceed speed: 150 mph (241 km/h; 130 kn)

Range: 580 mi (504 nmi; 933 km)

Endurance: 5.1 hrs

Service ceiling: 14,500 ft (4,400 m)

g limits: +4.4/-2 at max gross weight

Rate of climb: 900 ft/min (4.6 m/s)

Wing loading: 10.4 lb/sq ft (51 kg/m²)