RFB/Grumman American Fanliner

Rhein-Flugzeugbau · Germany · first flew 1973 · light aircraft

The RFB Fanliner was an experimental German two-seat light aircraft that used a ducted fan for propulsion rather than a conventional propeller. Developed in cooperation with Grumman American, it demonstrated an alternative propulsion concept for general aviation.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	Ducted-fan light aircraft with the propulsor buried in the fuselage aft section
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Ducted-fan light aircraft with the propulsor buried in the fuselage aft section
Pusher fan installation with inlet above the fuselage behind the cockpit
Low-wing two-seat design with no conventional tractor propeller visible

Unique in appearance — a conventional low-wing two-seater with no visible propeller, featuring a dorsal inlet above the rear fuselage feeding the buried ducted fan; easily distinguished from any other light aircraft.

Specifications

The RFB/Grumman American Fanliner has a length of 6.1 m (20 ft).
It has a wingspan of 7.45 m (24 ft).
Its maximum speed is 220 km/h (137 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Designed by Rhein-Flugzeugbau (RFB) and first flown in 1973, the Fanliner featured a Wankel rotary engine driving a ducted fan buried in the rear fuselage. The concept offered quieter operation and eliminated propeller hazard, but the complexity prevented commercial development.

Variants

The basic AWI-2 Fanliner was the main design; a turbine-powered variant was studied but not built.

Where you'll see it

Limited to demonstration and evaluation flights in Germany; never entered production or commercial service.

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