| S-16 Shekari | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Amateur-built aerobatic monoplane |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Rans Inc |
| Designer | Randy Schlitter |
| Status | Production completed June 2006 |
| Number built | 22 (as of December 2004) |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1998 |
| First flight | 1994 |
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. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Conceived as a new generation of Rans aircraft focusing on quicker built times and higher performance, the Shekari is stressed for dual aerobatics. [3]
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. [2] [3] [5] [4]
The S-16 has been flown with the Rotax 912UL of 80 hp (60 kW), but is typically equipped with engines such as the Continental IO-240 of 130 hp (97 kW) and can accept engines up to the Lycoming O-320 with 160 hp (119 kW). Construction time claimed is 600 to 1500 man-hours, depending on builder experience. [1] [2] [5] [4]
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. [1] [6]
Data from Kitplanes, [5] Aerocrafter [2]
General characteristics
Performance