Rans S-7 Courier

Single Piston

The RANS S-7 Courier is an American light sport and ultralight kit aircraft designed for backcountry flying and short-field operations. Built by RANS Designs of Kansas since the late 1980s, the S-7 is a high-wing, tube-and-fabric taildragger that can be assembled by amateur builders in a few hundred hours. Its defining characteristic is exceptional slow-flight capability — stall speed with full flaps is around 28 knots, making it one of the slowest-flying fixed-wing aircraft in production. The Courier is typically powered by Rotax two-stroke or four-stroke engines in the 50-80 horsepower range, giving it a cruise speed around 80-90 knots and a range of roughly 300 nautical miles. With a maximum takeoff weight just over 1,000 pounds, it qualifies as an ultralight or light sport aircraft in many jurisdictions, and its folding wings allow for trailer storage. The S-7 has found a loyal following among bush pilots and recreational flyers who value its rugged simplicity, low operating costs, and ability to operate from grass strips, sandbars, and other improvised surfaces. SkyMeter has tracked 2 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with activity spanning routes.