View source for Rans S-12 Airaile

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{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
 | name=Rans S-12 Airaile family
 | image=Rans S12 (D-MQQQ) 04.jpg
 | caption=Rans S-12 Airaile
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
 | type=[[Kit aircraft]]
 | national origin=[[United States]]
 | manufacturer=[[Rans Inc]]
 | designer=Randy Schlitter
 | first flight=
 | introduced=March 1990
 | retired=
 | status=S-12XL in production
 | produced= 1990-present
 | number built=1112 (S-12 models, 2011)
 | developed from= 
 | variants with their own articles=
}}
|}
The '''Rans S-12 Airaile''' is a family of related [[United States|American]] single-engined, [[pusher configuration]], high-wing [[monoplane]]s designed by Randy Schlitter and manufactured by [[Rans Inc]]. The aircraft are available in [[Homebuilt aircraft|kit form]] for amateur construction.<ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, pages B-48 & B-97. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec1998">Downey, Julia: ''1999 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, pages 65-66. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2004">Downey, Julia: ''2005 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 53. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2007">Downey, Julia: ''2008 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 69. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="Aerocrafter">Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook'', pages 240 and 356. BAI Communications. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}</ref><ref name="AiraileOverview">{{Cite web|url = http://www.rans.com/_KITS/ModelsPages/S-12.htm|title = S-12XL Airaile|accessdate = 26 November 2010|last = Rans|authorlink = |year = n.d.}}</ref><ref name="WDLA04">Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04'', page 156-7. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2011">Vandermeullen, Richard: ''2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide'', Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 68. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref>

Production of the S-12S Airaile, S-14 Airaile, S-17 Stinger and S-18 Stinger II was ended as part of Rans' extensive reorganization of its product line on 1 June 2006. The S-12XL Airaile was originally intended to be cut from the line at the same time, but customer demand convinced the company to retain the model. As of 2015, the model is still available as a special order.<ref name="AiraileOverview" /><ref name="ANN11May06">{{Cite web|url = http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?printable=1&ContentBlockID=6d11beb7-3213-455e-8a69-fc07a3edac5b&|title = RANS: Light Sport Aircraft Are The Future|accessdate = 21 November 2010|last = Aero News Network|authorlink = |date=May 2006}}</ref>

==Design and development==
The S-12 Airaile was designed by Randy Schlitter and introduced in March 1990 as a two-seat side-by-side, [[tricycle gear]] ultralight aircraft for recreational and flight training use. The single-seat version of the S-12, the S-14 Airaile, was designed one year later and entered production in 1991. The S-17 Stinger retains the wings, tail, boom tube of the S-14, mated to new forward [[4130 steel]] tube cockpit and equipped with [[conventional landing gear]] to create an open-cockpit ultralight that complies with the US [[FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles]] regulations. The S-18 Stinger II uses the S-12's wings, tail and boom tube, again with a new forward steel tube fuselage to create a [[tandem]] seat, conventional landing gear, open cockpit ultralight trainer.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" />

Like many Rans models, the family features a welded 4130 steel tube cockpit, with a bolted 6061-T6 [[aluminum]] tube rear [[fuselage]]. All fuselage, wing and tail surfaces are covered in [[Dacron]] or, on some models, [[Aircraft fabric covering|dope and fabric]]. The wings are built from [[aluminium]] tube and ribs, feature [[Flap (aircraft)|flaps]], and are folding or removable.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" />

The present-day S-12XL is powered by the [[Rotax 503]] of {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, with the [[Rotax 582]] of {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, the [[Rotax 912UL]] of {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} and the [[Rotax 912UL]] of {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} available as options.<ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="Spec">{{Cite web|url = http://www.rans.com/_KITS/ModelsPages/S-12specs.htm|title = RANS S-14XL Airaile Specifications and Performance|accessdate = 26 November 2010|last = Rans|authorlink = |year = n.d.}}</ref>

==Operational history==
The aircraft family has been very well received, with over 1000 S-12s delivered. In 1998 Kitplanes magazine said that the S-14 has "squeaky clean handling feels like a little jet, but lands like an ultralight".<ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="ANN11May06" />

==Variants==
[[File:Rans S12 (D-MQQQ) 03.jpg|thumb|right|Rans S-12 Airaile]]
[[File:Rans S-12 Airaile AULA C-FPSY.JPG|thumb|right|Rans S-12 Airaile landing]]
;S-12 Airaile
:Original model. Production completed.
;S-12S Super Airaile
:Similar to XL, but with dope and fabric covering. Production completed.<ref name="KitplanesDec2004" />
;S-12XL Airaile
:Current production model, two seats in [[side-by-side configuration]], Dacron covering. Full cockpit fairing is optional. Estimate construction time 175 man-hours without the full enclosure or 300 with it. Standard engine is the [[Rotax 503]] of {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, with the [[Rotax 582]] of {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, the [[Rotax 912UL]] of {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} or the [[Rotax 912UL]] of {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} optional. Can be equipped with floats. Over 1000 S-12s of all versions delivered and flown in more than 40 countries.<ref name="WDLA11">Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 117. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X</ref><ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2007" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="AiraileOverview" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2011" /><ref name="ANN11May06" />
;S-14 Airaile
:Single-seat version of the S-12, with Dacron covering introduced in 1991. Standard engine was the [[Rotax 447]] of {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, with the [[Rotax 503]] of {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} and the [[Rotax 582]] of {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} optional. Reported construction time 200 man-hours including complete cockpit fairing. Empty weight of {{convert|390|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} places the S-14 above the maximum category weight of the US [[FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles]] category. Production completed with 125 completed by December 2004.<ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2004" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="WDLA04" />
;S-17 Stinger
:Open-cockpit, conventional landing gear, single-seater, equipped with a standard [[Rotax 447]] of {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} with the [[Rotax 503]] of {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} optional. Empty weight of {{convert|249|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} places the S-17 within weight of the US [[FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles]] category. The aircraft uses the wings, tailboom and tail of the S-14, but is fitted with a new steel tube cockpit structure. While it retains the [[Flap (aircraft)|flap]]-equipped wing of the S-14, the flaps are fixed. Production completed with 38 completed by December 2004.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2004" /><ref name="Aerocrafter"/><ref name="WDLA04" />
;S-18 Stinger II
:Open-cockpit, conventional landing gear, ultralight trainer with two seats in [[tandem]], standard engine is the [[Rotax 503]] of {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} with the [[Rotax 582]] of {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} or the [[Rotax 912UL]] of {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} optional. The aircraft uses the wings, tailboom and tail of the S-12XL, but is fitted with a new steel tube cockpit structure. Production completed, with 30 completed by December 2004.<ref name="KitplanesDec2004" /><ref name="WDLA04" />

==Specifications (S-12XL)==
[[File:Rans S-12XL Airaile C-IXII 01.JPG|thumb|right|Rans S-12XL Airaile. The [[tricycle gear]] aircraft sits on its tail when unoccupied.]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Rans website<ref name="Spec" />
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
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|genhide=
|crew=one
|capacity=one passenger
|length m=
|length ft=21
|length in=8
|length note=
|span m=
|span ft=31
|span in=0
|span note=
|height m=
|height ft=7
|height in=4
|height note=
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=152
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=6.33:1
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=475
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=975
|gross weight note=
|fuel capacity=18 US gallons (68 litres)
|more general=
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        Powerplant
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|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Rotax 582]]
|eng1 type=
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=64
|eng1 shp=
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=wooden
|prop dia m=
|prop dia ft=5
|prop dia in=8
|prop note=

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        Performance
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|perfhide=
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=75
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=32
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=flaps down
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=100
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=
|range miles=333
|range nmi=
|range note=
|endurance=3.1 hrs
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=14000
|ceiling note=
|g limits=+4/-2 at max gross weight
|roll rate=70 degrees/sec
|glide ratio=7:1
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=900
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=6.4
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
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|power/mass=
|more performance=
|avionics=
}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.rans.com/#!s-12xl-airaile/c5ll}}