Rans Designs, previously called Rans Inc. (styled all in capitals as RANS), is an American aircraft and, formerly, a leading American recumbent bicycle and tricycle manufacturer, based in Hays, Kansas, United States. The company name is a portmanteau of the first and last names of the company founder, Randy Schlitter. Rans has produced over 3000 aircraft in kit form and as completed aircraft.Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, pages B-48 & B-97. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. Downey, Julia: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 65. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851Downey, Julia: 2005 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 53. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 69. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 238. BAI Communications. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 157. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485XTaylor, John (ed): Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1984-1985, page 711. Jane's Publishing Company, 1984. Taylor, John (ed): Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1986-1987, pages 701-702. Jane's Publishing Company, 1986. Taylor, John (ed): Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1987-1988, pages 698-699. Jane's Publishing Company, 1987. Taylor, John (ed): Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-1989, pages 592-594. Jane's Publishing Company, 1988.

History Rans was founded in 1974 as a pedal-powered sail trike and unpowered land yacht manufacturer. Early pedal-powered sail trikes were the Delta SX, Eagle 4, Windhawk and the Monorai. The company was successful in the marketplace, producing over 1500 sail trikes, and also in racing. Even two place tandem pedal-powered sail trikes were produced, like the Rans Gemini. Rans sail trikes were used by such people as avid sailor Bob Hope.

After trying hang gliding and considering designing an ultralight sailplane, Schlitter turned his attention to designing an ultralight aircraft. Dissatisfied with the early ultralights available, he commenced construction of his S-4 Coyote prototype in November 1982. Schlitter founded a new company Aero-Max, with investment from a friend to produce the S-4. The S-4 first flew in March 1983, but the company broke up over financial issues and the design fell to Rans to produce.

Schlitter kept designing new aircraft and by 2006 had a stable of 12 designs in production. On 1 June 2006 Schlitter ended production of many of the designs to concentrate on the new light-sport aircraft market. In 2010 the line consisted of six basic aircraft designs.

By January 2022 the company indicated it was ending bicycle production and was offering the last of its frames for sale. Shortly thereafter the company bike website was blanked.

Aircraft

+Summary of aircraft built by Rans Model name First flight Number built(as of) Type Rans S-2 Coyote 1983 1 Single seat, high wing, conventional landing gear ultralight Rans S-3 Coyote 1983 1 Single seat, high wing, conventional landing gear ultralight Rans S-4 Coyote 1983 246 (December 1998) Single seat, high wing, conventional landing gear ultralight Rans S-5 Coyote 1983 included in S-4 total Single seat, high wing, tricycle landing gear ultralight Rans S-6 Coyote II 1988 1842 (January 2008) Two seat, high wing, tricycle or conventional landing gear light aircraft Rans S-7 Courier 1985 325 (December 2007) Two seat, high wing, conventional landing gear light aircraft Rans S-9 Chaos 1986 129 (December 1998) Single seat, mid-wing, conventional landing gear aerobatic ultralight Rans S-10 Sakota 1988 147 (December 1998) Two seat, mid-wing, conventional landing gear aerobatic light aircraft Rans S-11 Pursuit 1991 3 (prototypes only) Single seat, low-wing, tricycle landing gear lifting body Rans S-12 Airaile 1990 1000 (2006) Two seat, high-wing, tricycle landing gear light aircraft Rans S-14 Airaile 1991 125 (December 2004) Single seat, high-wing, tricycle landing gear ultralight Rans S-15 Pursuit II Not-built Two-seat, low-wing, retractable tricycle landing gear lifting body Rans S-16 Shekari 1994 22 (December 2004) Two seat, low wing, conventional or tricycle landing gear light aircraft Rans S-17 Stinger 1996 38 (December 2004) Single seat, high-wing, conventional landing gear, open cockpit ultralight Rans S-18 Stinger II 2000 30 (December 2004) Two seat, high-wing, conventional landing gear, open cockpit ultralight trainer Rans S-19 Venterra 2007 11 (November 2010) Two seat, low wing, tricycle landing gear light-sport aircraft Rans S-20 Raven 2013 1 (January 2014) Two seat, high wing, tricycle or conventional landing gear light-sport bush aircraft 2017 1 (May 2018) Two seat, high wing, tricycle or conventional landing gear light-sport bush aircraft

Cycles

Rans was also known as a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of upright and recumbent bicycles. In 2011 the bike line included 16 crank forward upright bike models, 16 recumbents, three tandems and one delta tricycle.

Pedal forward Fusion Fusion ST Cruz Dynamik Citi Street Sequoia Hammertruck Zenetik Alterra Road Alterra Ti Road Alterra Alterra Ti Alterra 29 Alterra 700x Mini

Recumbents V-Rex LE Ti-Rex Enduro 26 Enduro Sport F5 F5 Pro Formula LE Stratus LE Stratus XP Stratus XP TI Stratus XP ALl Xstream Xstream 26 Xstream Team Rocket Vivo

Tandems Dynamic Duo Screamer Seavo

Trikes Trizard

References

External links RANS Official website RANS Bikes official website archives on Archive.org