country of build

Germany

engine

R 90230 RG - One 170kW (230hp) Textron Lycoming IO540C4D5 flat six piston engine (derated from 195kW/260hp) driving a four blade constant speed Mühlbauer composite propeller.

Performance

R 90230 RG - Max speed 324km/h (175kt), max cruising speed 311km/h (168kt), economical cruising speed 267km/h (144kt). Initial rate of climb 1140ft/min (1650ft/min is possible). Service ceiling 16,000ft. Max range with reserves 1610km (870nm). Endurance 7.8hrs.

Weights

R 90230 RG - Standard empty 898kg (1980lb), empty equipped 920kg (2030lb), max takeoff 1350kg (2976lb).

seating

Typical seating for four.

History

The R 90 is an all new four seater that was built in the early to mid 1990s before Ruschmeyer filed for bankruptcy.

The R 90 was a new design based on the Ruschmeyer's earlier MF85, making use of a range of modern technologies and materials. The MF85 series was powered by Porsche engines, but the unavailability of these powerplants led to the development of the Textron Lycoming powered R 90.

The Ruschmeyer R 90 possesses an aerodynamically clean airframe made possible by its glass fibre (with Rohacell core) construction. The advanced wing design features a `rain tolerant' laminar flow aerofoil design, wet wing fuel tanks, upturned wingtips (for increased lateral stability, not drag reduction), small ailerons and inboard Fowler flaps.

The initial R 90230 RG production model was powered by a fuel injected Textron Lycoming IO540 flat six driving an advanced four blade composite construction propeller. A silencer on the engine, the four blade prop and the engine being derated to 170kW (230hp) from 195kW (260hp) combine to give low interior and exterior noise levels. Even though the engine has been derated, because of the R 90's comparatively light structure its performance is quite strong.

All production R 90s were the high performance retractable undercarriage R 90230 RG. This model first flew on August 8 1988, with German certification awarded in June 1992.

Members of the planned R 90 family include the fixed gear, 175kW (235hp) O540J powered R 90230 FG and the fixed undercarriage 135kW (180hp) IO360 (flat rated to 150kW/200hp) powered R 90180 FG. The R 90350T RG, to be powered by a 185kW (250hp) turbocharged engine and capable of 435km/h (235kt) cruising speed, and the high performance five/six seat R 95 were also under development. An Allison 250B17 turboprop powered development, the R 90420 AT, was also flown.

However Ruschmeyer was forced to file for bankruptcy in early 1996 and production has ceased. Approximately 30 R 90-230 RGs were built