Fournier RF 5

The Fournier RF 5 is a two-seat motor glider designed by René Fournier.[1][2]

RF 5
Role Motorglider
National origin France
Designer René Fournier
First flight January 1968

Design and development

The RF 5 is based on the single seater Fournier RF 4, and is a low-winged monoplane of all-wooden construction, with the crew of two sat in a tandem enclosed cockpit. It is semi-aerobatic with loops, stall turns, lazy eights, chandelles and spins approved.[3][4] It has a manually retractable center landing gear, a steerable tailwheel and detachable outrigger landing gear.[4] Spoilers are available to reduce lift.[4] The wingtips of the parked aircraft can be unlocked and folded inwards by a single person to reduce required hangar space.

Variants
RF 5B
An improved high-performance version. Powered by a 50.7 kW (68 hp) Limbach SL 1700 E Comet engine.[5]
RF 5B Sperber
A high performance powered sailplane with 17.5 m (57 ft) span wings.
AeroJaén RF5-AJ1 Serrania
License built version produced by Aeronáutica del Jaén SA

Specifications (RF 5)
Fournier RF 5 in-flight

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89,[6] Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77[7]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 13.74 m (45 ft 1 in)
  • Width: 8.6 m (28 ft 3 in) wings folded
  • Height: 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 15.12 m2 (162.8 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 12.5
  • Airfoil: root:NACA 23015, tip:NACA 23012
  • Empty weight: 420 kg (926 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 650 kg (1,433 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 60 L (15.9 US gal; 13.2 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Limbach L2000 EOI 4-cyl. horizontally-opposed air-cooled piston engine, 60 kW (80 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed Hoffman HO-V-62-R/160 fixed pitch propeller

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 209 km/h (130 mph, 113 kn)
  • Stall speed: 80 km/h (49 mph, 43 kn) clean
  • Never exceed speed: 250 km/h (155 mph, 135 kn) at max t/o weight
  • Range: 700 km (430 mi, 380 nmi) to 900 km (490 nmi; 560 mi)
  • Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
  • g limits: +6 -3
  • Maximum glide ratio: 20
  • Rate of climb: 3.29 m/s (648 ft/min) max
  • Rate of sink: 1.4 m/s (280 ft/min) power off
  • Wing loading: 42.99 kg/m2 (8.81 lb/sq ft) at max t/o weight

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fournier RF 5.
  1. "RF 5". sailplanedirectory.com. Archived from the original on 12 November 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  2. "Fournier aircraft history, performance and specifications". pilotfriend.com. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  3. "GROWN-UP ULTRA-LIGHT". Flight International: 974–977. 11 June 1970. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  4. "RF 5 Flight Manual" (PDF). Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  5. Taylor, Michael J H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Portland House. p. 838. ISBN 0-517-69186-8.
  6. John W.R. Taylor, ed. (1988). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89. London: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.
  7. John W.R. Taylor, ed. (1976). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976-77. London: Jane's yearbooks. pp. 570–571. ISBN 0-354-00538-3.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.