Fournier RF-5

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

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

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 and spins approved.^[3]

Variants

RF-5B

An improved high-performance version. Powered by a 50.7 kW (68 hp) Limbach SL 1700 E Comet engine.^[4]

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 Aeronaútica del Jaén SA

Specifications (RF-5)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89,^[5] Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77^[6]

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 (435 mi; 378 nmi) to 900 km (490 nmi; 560 mi)
• Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,404 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

References

1. "RF-5". sailplanedirectory.com. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
2. pilotfriend.com: "Fournier" Check |url= value (help). pilotfriend.com. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
3. "GROWN-UP ULTRA-LIGHT". Flight International: 974–977. 11 June 1970. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
4. Taylor, Michael J H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Portland House. p. 838. ISBN 0-517-69186-8.
5. 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.
6. 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.