Development and Design Philosophy
The RF-47 emerged from René Fournier's decades of experience creating economical light aircraft, combining design elements from his successful RF-4 and RF-7 models. Fournier, whose aviation career began in 1947 with the RF-1 design, sought to create an affordable trainer that would meet the new JAR-VLA certification standards while maintaining his signature emphasis on low operating costs and quiet operation.
The initial prototype featured a wooden construction optimized for aerobatic flight, while the second prototype incorporated weight-saving carbon fiber spars and an enlarged fuselage to improve comfort and fuel capacity. Bernard Chauvreau piloted the maiden flight of the wooden aerobatic prototype on April 9, 1993, marking the beginning of a development program that would achieve JAR-VLA certification in October 1995.
The Manufacturer's Legacy
Avions Fournier built its reputation on producing approximately 800 aircraft sold across 35 countries, establishing partnerships with companies like Alpavia in the 1960s and Sportavia-Pützer in Germany, which manufactured over 156 RF-4 and RF-4D variants. René Fournier pioneered the use of certified automotive-derived engines in light aircraft, beginning with the 39-horsepower Rectimo Volkswagen conversion in the RF-2.
By the time of the RF-47's development, Fournier had transferred final assembly responsibilities to Euravial in Épinal, France. The company launched production in 1999, but Euravial's bankruptcy occurred within months, effectively ending the RF-47 program before meaningful production numbers could be achieved.
Technical Innovation
The RF-47 represented Fournier's continued commitment to automotive powerplants, featuring either a 90-horsepower Sauer-modified Volkswagen engine or the preferred 87-horsepower Limbach L2400. The Limbach L2400, a 2,400cc four-cylinder air-cooled engine, exemplified the reliable and cost-effective conversions that Fournier had championed throughout his career.
The aircraft's design incorporated modern materials including carbon fiber components while maintaining the wooden construction techniques that characterized earlier Fournier designs. The side-by-side seating arrangement and tricycle landing gear configuration were specifically chosen to optimize the aircraft for flight training applications.
Limited Production and Tragic End
The RF-47's production story became one of aviation's briefest manufacturing runs. When Euravial declared bankruptcy shortly after beginning series production in 1999, only 3-4 aircraft had been completed or remained in stock at the facility. The wooden aerobatic prototype was subsequently rebuilt in England by LAA Chief Engineer Francis Donaldson, while the pre-production example was lost in a 2016 crash.
Civil Aviation Service
Designed specifically for flying clubs and private flight schools, the RF-47 was intended to provide economical basic training with reduced noise levels compared to traditional trainers. The aircraft's JAR-VLA certification limited it to non-aerobatic operations in production form, despite the aerobatic capabilities demonstrated by the original wooden prototype.
The side-by-side seating configuration and maximum weight of approximately 680 kilograms positioned the RF-47 as an ideal primary trainer, but the production halt prevented any meaningful commercial impact or widespread adoption by training organizations.
Legacy and Significance
The RF-47 holds historical significance as René Fournier's final design, representing nearly five decades of innovation in economical aviation following his 1926 birth. While the aircraft's rarity prevents any substantial operational legacy, it stands as an important milestone in the certification of automotive-derived engines and the development of Very Light Aircraft standards.
Today, virtually no RF-47s remain airworthy, with the rebuilt English prototype representing one of the few surviving examples. Unlike earlier Fournier designs such as the RF-1 and RF-2, which are displayed at the Musée de l'Air in Paris, the RF-47's museum presence remains minimal due to the extremely limited production run.
The aircraft's story exemplifies both the innovation possible in general aviation and the financial challenges facing small aircraft manufacturers, particularly those attempting to bring new designs to market in the increasingly regulated aviation environment of the 1990s.