Fournier Sperber RF5B N99809. Click for larger picture (1600x1200 248K).
For more photos and information and Links to more sites about the Fournier Motorgliders
See Collin Gyene's Sportavia-Pützer/Fournier Motorglider website: http://www.cfiamerica.com//
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The total time on the engine is 1211+ hours, 461 SMOH. A local shop performed a full rebuild. Compression is good on all cylinders and it burns no oil whatsoever. It has fine-wire platinum plugs and a stainless teel muffler. All of the critical hardware parts on the wing folding mechanism are in excellent condition. The carburetor was overhauled a few years ago. It is self-adjusting for density altitude. The engine starts immediately and runs just great. It burns between 2.8 and 3.2 gallons per hour, depending on the power setting. The propeler and 3-position hub are in very good condition.
As to flying qualities, this plane is a pussycat. Fly it off at about 45-50 mph and maintain 62 mph during the climb with prop in flat pitch and full power. At cruise altitude, reduce power to 2200 rpm, adjust the prop to cruise setting and maintain 2300 to 2500 rpm for cruise power setting. Before landing, reduce power to 1100 rpm, adjust prop for flat pitch, lower the landing gear and test the spoilers. Maintain 62 mph until ready to land. Pop the spoilers and maintain 50 mph on short final and touch down in three-point attitude. Slight braking may be needed for short field landing. The glider also climbs well in cruise pitch. Set engine at 2,800rpm, speed at 78mph and add slight upward trim. The engine will stay cool and you can do a long, sustained climb. At cruise power setting in level flight I have consistently maintained 90 mph and more at higher altitude. As to soaring, reduce power to 1200 rpm as you search for thermals. Once the temperature starts to decrease, you can shut down the engine and adjust the prop to full feather. That's about all there is. Minimum sink is between 50 and 55 mph, best glide is 60-62mph, depending on loading. This is a true sailplane when the engine is shut down, not a poor compromise as some motor gliders are. The plane is aerodynamically clean in flight with the landing gear retracted and the prop in full feather position. Controls are harmonized and there is full authority well into the stall (which is a non-event). When ready to restart the engine, adjust the prop to flat pitch, turn on the master switch and ignition switch and start the engine. Adjust prop pitch to cruise setting at 1800-2200 rpm and fly home. I have not discovered any tricky flying characteristics with this plane and it is stable and predictable. |
Sportavia RF5B Sperber Development and Description http://www.gliding-in-melbourne.org/sperber.htm
| Country of Manufacture: | Germany |
| Year of Manufacture: | 1975 |
| Current Registration: | United States |
| FAA Category/Class: | Glider w/accessory powerplant(motorglider) |
| FAA Airworthiness Certificate: | Experimental-Exhibition |
| Cockpit Style: | tandem two-place |
| Airframe: | about ? hours Total Time. See below for engine tach time. |
| Engine: | Limbach SL 1700 E (Volkswagon Conversion. Certificated engine in Europe) Time since new about 1220 hours. |
| Landing Gear: | Retractable single wheel main gear, outrigger wheels, and steerable tailwheel |
| Wings: | Wingspan 55 ft. 10 in. Folds to 36.8 ft. to fit in standard T-Hangar |
| Fuselage length: | 25 ft. 4 in. |
| Aircraft empty weight: | approx. 1000 pounds |
| Aircraft Useful Load: | approx. 500 pounds |
| Aircraft Gross weight: | 1500 pounds |
| Propeller: | Hoffman three position Climb, Cruise, Feather. Overhauled April 2005 in Colorado. Subsequent hub service in Colorado. |
| Glide ratio: | According to the Aircraft Flight Manual the best glide is listed as 26:1 @ 61 mph at 206 ft/min sink with a fixed pitch prop; 28:1 with a feathering prop. |
| Sink rate: | 2 on board 198 ft./min. at 50 mph 1 on board 175 ft./min. at 46 mph |
| Aircraft construction: | Wood with fabric |
| Panel: | Full VFR flight and engine instrumentation |
| Uses: | Private sportplane, good short field T/O, great for cross-country |
| Cruising Speed: | 100 mph |
| Fuel/capacity: | 100LL Avgas or unleaded fuel, 10 U.S. gallons |
| Fuel consumption: | 3.2 gallons per hour at 95 mph |
| Range: | 300 miles with no reserve |
Fournier Sperber RF5B N99809 Instrument Panel. Click for larger image (1600x1200 369K) .
Wings Folded (It really does fit in the T-hanger it just came out of but the photo distortion makes it look like the wings are too long.)
Wings Unfolded ready to go soaring...