The Fournier RF 5 is a two-seat
motor glider
A motor glider is a fixed-wing aircraft that can be flown with or without engine power. The FAI Gliding Commission Sporting Code definition is: a fixed-wing aerodyne equipped with a means of propulsion (MoP), capable of sustained soaring flight ...
designed by
René Fournier.
Design and development
The RF 5 is based on the single seater
Fournier RF 4
The Fournier RF 4 is a single-seater motor glider designed by René Fournier in 1966. It is an aerobatic version of the Fournier RF 3. , and is a low-winged
monoplane
A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplanes, which have multiple planes.
A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowest drag of any wing confi ...
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.
It has a manually retractable center
landing gear
Landing gear is the undercarriage of an aircraft or spacecraft that is used for takeoff or landing. For aircraft it is generally needed for both. It was also formerly called ''alighting gear'' by some manufacturers, such as the Glenn L. Martin ...
, a steerable tailwheel and detachable outrigger landing gear.
Spoilers are available to reduce lift.
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.
;RF 5B Sperber: A high performance powered sailplane with span wings.
;AeroJaén RF5-AJ1 Serrania
:License built version produced by
Aeronáutica del Jaén SA
Aeronautica may refer to:
* Aeronautica Militare, the air force of the Republic of Italy
* Italian Co-belligerent Air Force from 1943 until 1945 colloquially known as ''Aeronautica del Sud''
* Special Administrative Unit of Civil Aeronautics, Co ...
Specifications (RF 5)
See also
References
{{FAB aircraft designations
Fournier aircraft
1960s French sailplanes
Motor gliders
Low-wing aircraft
Single-engined tractor aircraft
Aircraft first flown in 1968