Fournier RF 5
Sportavia-Pützer · Germany · first flew 1968 · light aircraft
The Fournier RF 5 is a French-designed, German-built two-seat motorglider combining the soaring efficiency of a sailplane with the self-launch capability of a light aircraft. It was developed by René Fournier and built by Sportavia-Pützer in West Germany.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.05 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Motorglider with long-span wings and tiny engine nacelle
- Side-by-side two-seat wooden motorglider optimised for fuel economy
- Can glide engine-off with high L/D ratio like a sailplane
Long-span tapered wings, slender fuselage with side-by-side cockpit under a bubble canopy, tiny nose engine, and very clean aerodynamics typical of motorglider design.
Specifications
- The Fournier RF 5 has a length of 7.05 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.72 m (45 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 200 km/h (124 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
René Fournier had a long history of designing economical motorgliders beginning in the 1950s. The RF 5 was a two-seat development of his earlier RF 4 single-seater, first flying in 1968. Sportavia-Pützer in Germany undertook production, selling the type widely across Europe. It was succeeded by the RF 5B Sperber with more powerful engine.
Variants
The RF 5B Sperber (Sparrowhawk) was an improved variant with a more powerful Limbach engine; the RF 5B remained in production for many years.
Where you'll see it
Sold to private owners and flying clubs across Western Europe and beyond; popular with pilots seeking economical touring and cross-country soaring.
Related aircraft
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