Sportavia-Pützer SFS 31 Milan

The Sportavia-Pützer SFS 31 Milan is a single-seat motor glider that was produced in Germany in the early 1970s.

SFS 31 Milan
Role Motor glider
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Sportavia-Pützer, Scheibe Flugzeugbau
First flight 31 August 1969[1]
Number built 14 by 1973[1]
Developed from Fournier RF-4, Scheibe SF-27

Design and development

The Milan was created by essentially combining the fuselage of the Fournier RF-4 with the wings of the Scheibe SF-27.[2][3][4] The resulting aircraft is a conventional motorglider design, a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a nose-mounted engine.[1][4] The undercarriage consists of a single retractable mainwheel, a fixed tailwheel, and an outrigger under each wing.[1][5] Construction is of wood, skinned in plywood and fabric.[1][5] The designation was created by combining the initials of the manufacturers involved (Sportavia, Fournier, and Scheibe), and adding together the model numbers of the two constituent aircraft designs.[1][4]

The SFS 31 prototype (registered D-KORO) first flew on 31 August 1969[1][4] and soon replaced the RF-4D in production at Sportavia-Pützer.[6] In 1971, Hans Huth piloted an SFS 31 to third place in the German national motorglider competition.[1][7]

Specifications

Data from Taylor 1977, p.560, except as noted

General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot
  • Length: 6.05 m (19 ft 10 in)
  • Wingspan: 15.00 m (49 ft 3 in)
  • Height: 1.57 m (5 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 12.0 m2 (129 ft2)
  • Aspect ratio: 18.6
  • Wing profile: Wortmann FX-61-184 at root, Wortmann FX-60-126 at tip
  • Empty weight: 310 kg (683 lb)
  • Gross weight: 440 kg (970 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rectimo 4 AR 1200, 29 kW (39 hp)

Performance

  • Cruising speed: 180 km/h (112 mph)
  • Range: 670 km (415 miles)
  • Service ceiling: 6,000 m (19,700 ft)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 29:1[5]
  • Rate of climb: 3 m/s (590 ft/min)

Armament

Notes
  1. Taylor 1973, p.560
  2. Taylor 1989, p.838
  3. "Hanover Report", p.720
  4. Hardy 1982, p.172
  5. Hardy 1982, p.173
  6. Simpson 1995, p.378
  7. Ross 1971, p.14

References
  • Hardy, Michael (1982). Gliders & Sailplanes of the World. London: Ian Allan.
  • "Hanover Report". Flight International: 713–22. 30 April 1970. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  • Ross, Peter (1 July 1971). "Soaring to Power". Flight International: 14–15. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  • Simpson, R.W. (1995). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife.
  • Taylor, John W.R. (1974). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1973–74. London: Jane's Yearbooks.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
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