Ambrosini F.7 Rondone
Ambrosini (design by Stelio Frati) · Italy · first flew 1954 · light aircraft
The Ambrosini F.7 Rondone is an Italian two-seat touring aircraft designed by Stelio Frati, first flown on 10 February 1954 and distinguished by the refined aerodynamic design that characterises all of Frati's work.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Elegant low-wing Italian touring aircraft with Frati's characteristic clean lines
- Fully enclosed side-by-side two-seat cockpit with generous glazing
- Retractable undercarriage and smooth flush-riveted aluminium skin
Stelio Frati's characteristic smooth, harmonious lines and the retractable undercarriage set the Rondone apart from contemporary Italian light aircraft; often compared to the later F.8L Falco which followed a similar design philosophy.
Specifications
- The Ambrosini F.7 Rondone has a length of 6.8 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.3 m (31 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 265 km/h (165 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Stelio Frati designed the Rondone (meaning swallow) as an elegant and fast touring aircraft; the prototype was built by CVV before production was taken up by Ambrosini. The type demonstrated the performance potential of careful aerodynamic refinement in a piston-powered light aircraft.
Variants
The Rondone I (F.4) and Rondone II (F.7) represent successive refinements; the F.7 is the primary production variant.
Where you'll see it
Operated by Italian private owners and aero clubs, the Rondone became one of the more admired Italian touring aircraft of the 1950s and remains a collector's type.
Related aircraft
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