S-7 Pirát (c/n ?, OK-GUD 07), static display at open doors day at Aeroklub Broumov, Broumov, August 2024.
In 1982, Randy Schlitter developed a single-seat ultralight aircraft, designated S-2 Coyote. It was the first aeroplane designed by Schlitter who was successfully manufacturing sail trikes and land yachts, already for about a decade at that time.
The S-2 was a high-wing monoplane with conventional landing gear and was powered by Rotax 277 engine, generating 28 hp. The aeroplane featured steel tube cockpit and aluminium tube fuselage, with wings and tail covered in thermoplastic polymer resin (Dacron envelope).
In March of 1983, prototype of the Coyote performed its maiden flight. Shortly after, serial production of the aircraft, now designated as S-4, began at Aero-Max factory. Later, manufacturing of the Coyote was also assigned to Schlitter´s company Rans Inc. (nowadays known as Rans Designs), which also offered the aircraft as kit for amateur construction.
The S-4 Coyote was offered in several variants, differing in engine power. The aircraft could be equipped with floats or skis and, additionally, there was a version with tricycle landing gear, known as S-5.
In 1985, Schlitter developed a two-seat training version of the Coyote. The aircraft performed its first flight in November of 1985 and soon entered serial production as S-7 Courier.
Similarly to the S-4, the new aeroplane could be equipped with floats and skies. The Courier was also offered by the Rans company as a ready-made ultralight aircraft or as kit for self-assembly. Initially, the S-7 was offered with Rotax 503 or 582 engines, generating 50 and 64 hp, respectively. Currently, the aircraft is being manufactured with more powerful, 100 hp Rotax 912.
Due to two different ways of selling the aircraft (completed by the factory and self-assembly kits), it is hard to tell how many Rans S-4 and S-7 aeroplanes were built. Depending on the source, the numbers vary from 300 to 600 examples, or even more. However, it remains undisputed the light aircraft designed by Randy Schlitter achieved market success.
The S-7 Pirát (English: pirate) is a Czech-made variant of the Courier, self-built in 2001. The aeroplane is powered by VW2000 engine, generating 65 hp.
