Fournier RF-9

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RF-9
Fournier RF-9 motorglider F-CARF at Midden-Zeeland Airport (EHMZ), April 1, 1989
Role Motorglider
National origin France
Designer René Fournier
First flight 13 January 1977

The Fournier RF-9 is a two-seat motorglider of conventional sailplane configuration. Originally produced in France, manufacturing was later taken over by ABS Aircraft in Switzerland, and then by Gomolzig in Germany. The pilot and passenger are accommodated side-by-side, and the aircraft's wings are foldable for ease of storage. It first flew in 1977. The licence-built example was known as the Fournier RF-9 ABS but only one, registration D-KHGO (w/nr.9021) was ever constructed. In 1994, ABS Aircraft GmbH left the development of ABS RF-9 though two further kits had been built, and were later constructed by the Polish Aircraft company Polavia.

Specifications (RF-9)[edit]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 8.06 m (26 ft 5 in)
  • Wingspan: 17.3 m (56 ft 9 in)
  • Height: 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
  • Wing area: 18 m2 (190 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 500 kg (1,102 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 750 kg (1,653 lb)
  • Powerplant: × Limbach L2000 4-cyl. air-cooled horizontally opposed piston engine, 60 kW (80 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 220 km/h (140 mph, 120 kn)
  • Range: 900 km (560 mi, 490 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 6,500 m (21,300 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 3.6 m/s (710 ft/min)

See also[edit]