Sportavia-Pützer SFS 31 Milan

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SFS 31 Milan
SFS 31
Role Motor glider
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Sportavia-Pützer [de]
Scheibe Flugzeugbau
First flight 31 August 1969[1]
Number built 14 by 1973[1]
Developed from Fournier RF 4
Scheibe SF-27

The Sportavia-Pützer SFS 31 Milan is a single-seat motor glider that was produced in Germany in the early 1970s.

Design and development[edit]

The Milan was created by essentially combining the fuselage of the Fournier RF 4 with the wings of the Scheibe SF-27.[2][3][4] The resulting aircraft is a conventional motorglider design, a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a nose-mounted engine.[1][4] The undercarriage consists of a single retractable mainwheel, a fixed tailwheel, and an outrigger under each wing.[1][5] Construction is of wood, skinned in plywood and fabric.[1][5] The designation was created by combining the initials of the manufacturers involved (Sportavia-Pützer [de], Fournier [fr] , and Scheibe), and adding the sum of the model numbers of the two constituent aircraft designs.[1][4]

The SFS 31 prototype (registered D-KORO) first flew on 31 August 1969[1][4] and soon replaced the RF 4D in production at Sportavia-Pützer.[6] In 1971, Hans Huth piloted an SFS 31 to third place in the German national motorglider competition.[1][7]

Specifications[edit]

Data from Taylor 1977, p.560, except as noted

General characteristics

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 180 km/h (112 mph, 97 kn)
  • Range: 670 km (415 mi, 361 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 6,000 m (19,700 ft)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 29:1[5]
  • Rate of climb: 3.0 m/s (590 ft/min)

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Taylor 1973, p.560
  2. ^ Taylor 1989, p.838
  3. ^ "Hanover Report", p.720
  4. ^ a b c d Hardy 1982, p.172
  5. ^ a b c Hardy 1982, p.173
  6. ^ Simpson 1995, p.378
  7. ^ Ross 1971, p.14

References[edit]

  • Hardy, Michael (1982). Gliders & Sailplanes of the World. London: Ian Allan.
  • "Hanover Report". Flight International: 713–22. 30 April 1970. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  • Ross, Peter (1 July 1971). "Soaring to Power". Flight International: 14–15. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  • Simpson, R.W. (1995). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife.
  • Taylor, John W.R. (1974). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1973–74. London: Jane's Yearbooks.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.