Anyone have any experience with Rans S21? If I was going homebuilt route, I would have to consider it. Has decent STOL capabilities, but still a cruise of 150 mph.

All AL construction. And one of the lowest build times I've seen at 500-600 hours.

Bob

Brad,

Give the Husky strong consideration. Great STOL capabilities and then once you get off the ground you can actually go somewhere in it! Great cruise speed, miles per gallon, strong, great useful load and flys nice. I have owned or flown just about everything in this category and I decided the Husky fits. I’m on my second one, great all around airplane.

Kurt

Thanks Kurt,
What is your stall speed?

A big part of operating off-airport is being able to position the plane by hand. Husky is disturbingly heavy. Especially the weight on the tail.

I dont know, I usually dont look at it landing and when out doing air work and stall practice its so inaccurate there really is no way of knowing unless you equipped it with a flight test type pitot. I do know I can get it in and out almost as short as I could my Super Cub. When I say almost I really mean almost, it was darn close. When I do break ground in the Husky I am confident I can clear and obstacle a bit easier in the Husky, it really climbs after it breaks ground if needed. I do not do steep climbs in the Husky or any other airplane for that matter, I like to keep enough energy to push the nose over, round out and flare in the event of an engine failure. A proficient pilot can really make a Husky perform in the STOL arena, I find it has plenty of STOL capability and it really shines in the other areas I mentioned in the previous post. I am approximately 20mph faster in my Husky than my Super Cub at the same fuel flow. What are the exact numbers you ask? About 102mph vs 122mph at 8.0 gallons per hour. If I am willing to fly 90-100mph I can see 5.5 to about 6.5 gallons per hour in the Husky. Both my Husky and Super Cub were on the same tires, 26” Goodyears. With 50 gallons of fuel and great miles per gallon you can really cover some ground non stop in the Husky. If you have a short range bladder thats ok, pee in a bottle, wet your pants or land, at least you have those options, in a Super Cub I did not have the capability to fly non stop between two points like I do in the Husky. It’s really a great airplane, I am very happy with it. I bought a second Husky instead or a Super Cub or Scout and am very happy with it.

Now that all being said, a Super Cub is a wonderful airplane and it certainly is the better airplane for some missions but for me down here in the lower 48 I have found that the Husky is the better choice.

Kurt

I have never had a problem with this, in fact I had more difficulty moving my Super Cub around on the ground since there are fewer ground handling handles in the tail area. My Husky weighs more than my Super Cub but I sure wouldn't consider it “disturbingly heavy” especially when you take into consideration I have to haul less fuel around in it to accomplish the same mission. Also, that extra weight is partially due to added structure in the cabin area which protects the occupants better. Yes, I have seen both crash and I would much rather be in a Husky in the event of a crash. Now if you want to talk about heavy tails, the Helio has a heavy tail.

Kurt

The differences in performance that Kurt cites are almost all due to the constant speed prop on the Husky. Lately more and more Cubs are also equipped. And they perform just like the Husky, except their lighter weight make them slightly better at take off and climb.

The Husky is a great airplane. It has a very solid feel that inspires confidence in the pilot, and the interiors are nicely finished.

For a while I had a C-185 and an RV-8 that I built. I came to consider the RV a delicate little thing. When our airport was a few years late redoing the runway, I ended up moving the RV to a nearby airport because I was afraid I would hurt it on the rough runway. No such worries about the 185.

I am building a Cubcrafters EX-3 now that will weigh a couple hundred pounds less than a Husky, with the same CS prop. I am hopeful that it will be tough enough to put up with the abuse I plan to give it. Time will tell.

Took my friend David to Stanton’s BBQ in Bennettsville SC today. About 70nm SE of Charlotte. SMOOTH GRASS Runway 2300 feet long. 200 foot walk to eat.

Best frog legs I have had in long time.

Told my friend I was going to try new short field technique.
Don’t know distance but shortest yet....and with two people.

Thanks Douglas

Sounds like a blast! Check out this video starting at 4:00.

https://youtu.be/5Olmfj7O4Ec

Great thread! I really like the Rans S21 Courier, it's just a pretty looking plane. Conversely the CH750 is a bit fugly in my opinion but the cabin visibility is incredible and that thing will get in anywhere. What's the budget?

The S-21 is pretty great! Here is one with a 915 up front mated to an Airmaster constant speed propeller and 26” Airstreaks.

This would be a lot of fun

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-Siai-Marc ... Swum1fypB4

The S-21 is pretty great! Here is one with a 915 up front mated to an Airmaster constant speed propeller and 26” Airstreaks.

The S-21 is pretty great! Here is one with a 915 up front mated to an Airmaster constant speed propeller and 26” Airstreaks.[/quote]
That plane belongs to my best friend Brian Shirley. It will to 150mph at 12,500'[/quote]

Yep! He was nice enough to send me a few screen grabs. I just can’t get my mind off this airplane. I have a problem!

How big is the tail wheel, or is there something else holding the tail up? I see neither in the shadows with the angle of the sun, but it sure seems to be sitting in an “unusual attitude” for an empty tail dragger!