Baggage Storage # 121 & 126

Baggage Storage # 121 & 126 (Peter Greenrod & Wilfrid Rouff.)
As you know it is very difficult to carry anything at all in the S4/5 [Some have a small seat-back pocket.]

Peter Greenrod. Three things I have made to help.
My side pocket container was cut down from a cloth tool carrier. I carry my maps, 600ml of 2 stroke oil, a few tools, a spare PAYG phone and a PLB.

The green bag behind the seat will accommodate a very small tent and sleeping bag + tie down straps and pegs. Top and bottom mounts ensure that the bag will not interfere with the controls and still turn to see the fuel contents in the tank behind me.

The chart tray just in front of my seat is set under my legs.

 

Wilfrid Rouff (France)

Here is our new instrument panel, 3 MGL weigh only 240 grams altogether. Spot on the right is reserved to put a GPS, the flat instrument panel top will carry maps, or whatever (maintained by bungee cord, not on yet). On the floor you can see a plastic trunk, very useful to carry a large enough container of extra oil, spark plugs, ropes and stakes to secure the plane, a couple of underwear and a tooth brush. Down on the right you will notice the red handle of the ballistic parachute.

Rans Compulsory modifications (UK LAA)

#7] Metal strap & wire replaces original webbing type.

Rans S4 & S5 Spec's 2004 &/or 2005 [no longer on web].

The main tank neck filler ring came loose, refixed. #127

The main fuselage tank neck filler ring came loose, refixed

with a smear of petrol proof, gasket quality silicone sealant on the cleaned off surfaces.

Fuel Wing Tank Vent Improved #127

Wing tank vent re-routed, to copy the S6 design.

Used only occasionally for longer flights my smaller version (of the two overhead types known of in the U.K) can readily take 15 litres of petroil, but I do know I then lose some through the vent pipe.

However, even using a lower fill to only 12 litres in December 2011, after an hour's flight I opened the connecting tap to drain it down to check it out. It eventually delivered 10L into my calibrated behind the seat fuel tank. Approx. 2 litres of costly fuel had gone AWOL.

I still blame loss in flight - when the fuel swills around in that rather flat tank - via the standard low level neck side vent pipe connection. It connects to a flexible pipe running down to the fuselage bottom centre slot,  to let fumes out safely.

I looked at the Rans S6 method for the forward facing wing tanks cap mounted vents and copied it with a length of copper pipe. The stub pipe off the S4 filler upstand is now hard plumbed with a short flexible tube to a copper inverted 'J' held firm by a jubilee clip. [Round the tank neck, just below & hidden from view under the centre wing top fabric cover].