Rans S-11 Pursuit
Rans Inc · United States · first flew 1991 · light aircraft
The Rans S-11 Pursuit is an American single-engined, tractor configuration, single-seat, low-wing aircraft based on the lifting body principle, designed and built by Randy Schlitter.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Low-wing, straked lifting-body layout that takes about 80% of its lift from the fuselage and strakes |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Low-wing, straked lifting-body layout that takes about 80% of its lift from the fuselage and strakes
- Dual rudders
- Tricycle landing gear
It has a welded steel fuselage with aluminium ribs and a composite shell. The prototype's engine was an 80 hp Rotax 912UL.
Specifications
- The Rans S-11 Pursuit has a length of 5.49 m (18 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.1 m (20 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was conceived as a unique single-seat sport aircraft based on the lifting body concept pioneered by NASA in the 1960s. The first prototype was first flown in January 1991.
Variants
The S-11 prototype was followed by the improved S-11A in January 1992 and the further improved S-11B in January 1993. A two-seat S-15 Pursuit II with retractable landing gear was proposed but not built.
Where you'll see it
Only prototypes were ever completed and the aircraft is not part of the present Rans line. The first prototype was destroyed in an accident on 19 January 1991 after an engine failure.
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