Air Prayer

 Most of you who know me know I used to own an aircraft called an RV-4. I built the aircraft in my garage. It was a very rewarding experience and the airplane flew like a dream. However, that particular airplane did have some limitations. It was cramped, the passenger had to sit in the back, and there was not much room for luggage. I also couldn’t take anyone who weighed over 180 lbs for a ride due to center of gravity limitations.

So I sold the RV-4 and used the proceeds to purchase a new kit.  Many people think I’m rich to be able to build and fly airplanes. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, I can build this airplane for what many people pay for their pickup trucks.

This airplane is called the Rans S-6ES Coyote II and is available in kit form from RANS Aircraft. There are two versions available the S-6S and S-6ES. There were more marked differences in the aircraft in the past but now the main difference is in the covering process for the airplane. The 6S uses traditional dope and fabric covering, and the 6ES uses slip on pre-colored Dacron skins. I have decided to go with the 6ES for a couple of reasons. First, the build time is significantly lower. Second, though it’s not as easy to patch in the field it is much easier to replace than the dope and fabric covering and possibly a little more rugged.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see how my Coyote will be configured.

Performance numbers are:

 Click here for some really cool Coyote Videos

 When I was planning out the RV-7 I was going to make that a state of the art airplane. The Coyote is going to be an economical airplane with near-STOL capabilities. The plane will be equipped for Day/Night VFR flying only. My goal is to keep the plane as light as possible. With this in mind, here is what I have planned…

Engine

I have decided to go with the Rotax 912ULS which is a 100 HP engine.   This engine has been adapted to many different aircraft and has the ability to run on either automobile gas or 100 LL aviation fuel.

 

Panel

There are couple of different options for panels.   I have decided to go with what Rans calls their super six panel.    The standard panel is very small and most pilots would want a larger panel because it hold more instruments and it’s more familiar to them.

 

Avionics

Nothing fancy here. I’m going with the standard instruments which are included with the kit. Standard instruments are:

• Airspeed indicator
• Tachometer
• Cylinder head temperature
• Oil temperature
• Oil pressure
• Hour meter

To the above I will probably add the least expensive radio and transpoder I can find. I will use my existing GPS unit for navigation.

Covering Method

This airplane is tube and fabric construction and there are two ways to cover it with fabric.

The first method is with traditional aircraft covering which is a multi-step process. First you have to glue the fabric to the structure, then you use an iron to shrink the fabric. Once it’s tight you spray a coat of silver on to protect the fabric, then you paint it. There are a few other steps but you get the point.

The second method available from the manufacturor is to use pre-colored dacron skins that you slip on, and then fasten to the airframe. Then you only need to spray on a protective finish. This is the method I’m leaning toward for two reasons; one is that it will save a lot of time, the other is that I don’t have access to a paint shop.

The only drawback to this second method is that the fabric is a little more see-thru thus making the airplane look a little more ultra-litey. As long as it’s light and has the performance I’m looking for I don’t mind the see thru skins.

Here is the color scheme I have chosen:

 

 

 

Landing Gear

Tailwheel configuration of course.