Sportavia-Pützer RS 180 Sportsman

The Sportavia-Pützer RS-180 Sportsman is a four-seat sport aircraft that was produced in Germany in the late 1970s.^[3]

RS-180 Sportsman
Role	Sport aircraft
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Sportavia-Pützer [de]
Designer	René Fournier [fr]
First flight	1978[1]
Number built	18[2]
Developed from	Fournier RF-6

The aircraft is a conventional, low-wing cantilever monoplane with fixed tricycle undercarriage.^[1] The pilot and passengers are seated in 2+2 configuration under a large bubble canopy.^[4] The structure is of wood, covered in plywood and given an outer skin of fibreglass.^[1]

Design and development

Underside of Sportavia-Putzer RS-180 Sportsman

Sportavia-Pützer was formed in 1966 to take over production from Alpavia SA of several light aircraft designed by René Fournier (aircraft designer). In 1976, it was absorbed by Rhein-Flugzeugbau (RFB).

In 1970 Fournier initiated the design of a new four-seat cabin monoplane, the Sportsman. The first prototype flew on 1 March 1973, but the completely redesigned second prototype didn't fly until 28 April 1976, as the RF-6C Sportsman, which entered production in late 1976. It was redesignated the RS-180 Sportsman when the empennage was altered in early 1978, following the fatal crash of the prototype in May 1977.^[5] The extensive redesign included reshaping the horizontal tail and moving it part-way up the fin,^[5] changing the wing profile,^[5] and removing the RF-6C's turned-down wingtips.^[5] In this form, the RS-180 was type certified in Germany in 1978.^[6]

The wood structure of the low-wing cantilever monoplane Sportsman is skinned in fibreglass. A fixed nosewheel undercarriage with wheel fairings is used. The cabin employs a large bubble canopy.

At the end of 1980, Sportavia-Pützer was fully integrated into RFB and the RS-180 was re-designated RFB RS-180 Sportsman. Production was halted in early 1981, after fewer than two dozen had been completed.^[2][7]

Specifications (RS 180)

Data from Wurster 2001, p. 89; Mondey, p. 218

General characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Capacity: three passengers
• Length: 7.15 m (23 ft 5.5 in)
• Wingspan: 10.5 m (34 ft 5.5 in)
• Height: 2.56 m (8 ft 5 in)
• Wing area: 14.5 m² (156.08 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 7.60
• Empty weight: 640 kg (1,411 lb)
• Gross weight: 1,100 kg (2,425 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-360-A3A , 134 kW (180 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 320 km/h (200 mph, 170 kn)
• Cruise speed: 225 km/h (140 mph, 120 kn)
• Range: 1,210 km (746 mi, 648 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 5,400 m (17,715 ft)

Notes

1. "Team Test 43: Sportavia RS 180", p. 88
2. Simpson 1995, p. 378
3. Taylor 1989, p.839
4. "Team Test 43: Sportavia RS 180", p.89
5. Barnett, Field, Hurst et al. 1978, p. 1438
6. "Certification du RS 180 Sportsman", p. 42
7. Mondey

References

• Barnett, Cliff; Hugh Field; Mike Hurst; Mark Lambert; Nigel Moll; Doug Richardson (13 May 1978). "Hanover Review". Flight International: 1436–48. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
• "Certification du RS 180 Sportsman". Aviation Magazine International: 42. 1978.
• Simpson, R.W. (1995). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife.
• Mondey, David (1981). Encyclopedia of The World's Commercial and Private Aircraft. New York: Crescent Books. p. 218.
• Taylor, John W.R. (1977). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1977–78. London: Jane's Yearbooks.
• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
• "Team Test 43: Sportavia RS 180". Flight International: 88–95. 12 January 1980. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
• Wurster, Rolf (2001). 50 Jahre Deutsche Motorflugzeuge. Norderstedt: Books on Demand.