The Rans S-16 Shekari is an American single-engined, two-seat, low-wing, experimental amateur built aerobatic monoplane designed by Randy Schlitter, and produced by Rans Inc of Hays, Kansas, and sold as a kit for amateur construction.Downey, 2004, p.77Purdy, 1998, p.241Bertrand, 2003, p.194Downey, 1998, p.66
Design and development Conceived as a new generation of Rans aircraft focusing on quicker built times and higher performance, the Shekari is stressed for dual aerobatics.Taylor 1996, p. 502
The Shekari has a 4130 steel tube-and-fabric forward fuselage with composite covering and 6061-T3 aluminum tube rear fuselage and tail. It is available as either a tail wheel landing gear or tricycle landing gear versions. The wings are removable by one person in ten minutes for storage or trailering.
The S-16 has been flown with the Rotax 912UL of , but is typically equipped with engines such as the Continental IO-240 of and can accept engines up to the Lycoming O-320 with . Construction time claimed is 600 to 1500 man-hours, depending on builder experience.
Production of the S-16 was ended as part of Rans' extensive reorganization of its product line on 1 June 2006, after the kit had been available for 8 years. Twenty-two had been completed and flown by the end of 2005.ANN, 2006, RANS: Light Sport Aircraft Are The Future
Specifications
References Notes
Bibliography
External links Official website archive on Archive.org Photo of an S-16 Shekari