Fournier RF7

RF7
The RF7 prototype now flies as G-LTRF
Role Motorglider
National origin France
Manufacturer Fournier
Designer René Fournier
First flight 5 March 1970[1]
Number built One
Developed from Fournier RF-4

The Fournier RF7 was a single-seat motorglider designed and built in prototype form by René Fournier in France in 1970 and intended for series production by Sportavia-Pützer in Germany. It was a conventional motorglider design derived from Fournier's RF-4D,[1] a low-wing cantilever monoplane with an engine mounted in tractor configuration in the nose.[2] The sailplane-style undercarriage consisted of a retractable mainwheel, a fixed tailwheel, and small outriggers under each wing.[1] Compared to the RF-4. the wings were shorter and the tailplane surfaces larger.[1][2] The ailerons were also larger,[3] and the RF7 was fully stressed for aerobatics.[3][4]

Construction of the prototype (registered F-WPXV[3]) began in July 1969,[1] and the aircraft first flew on 5 March 1970.[1] It was displayed at the Hanover Air Show the following month, where the journal Flight International praised it for the quality of its finish "[i]n spite of its prototype status."[3] By 1971, Sportavia-Pützer abandoned its plans of series production of the type and hoped to market the RF7 in kit form instead.[4] By 1978, all development had been abandoned and the prototype was offered for sale.[5]

Specifications

Data from Taylor 1972, p.96

General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot
  • Length: 6.05 m (19 ft 11 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.40 m (30 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 10.0 m2 (108 ft2)
  • Empty weight: 300 kg (660 lb)
  • Gross weight: 445 kg (981 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Sportavia-Limbach SL 1700 D, 51 kW (68 hp)

Performance

  • Cruising speed: 220 km/h (137 mph)
  • Range: 650 km (403 miles)
  • Service ceiling: 7,000 m (23,000 ft)

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Taylor 1972, p.96
  2. 1 2 Taylor 1989, p.75
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Hanover Report", p.720
  4. 1 2 Interavia, p.1225
  5. ↑ "Hanover Review", p.1439

References

  • "Hanover Report". Flight International: 713–22. 30 April 1970. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
  • "Hanover Review". Flight International: 1436–46. 13 May 1978. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
  • Interavia. 26: 1225. 1971. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1972). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1972–73. London: Jane's Yearbooks.
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