Ruschmeyer R 90


The Ruschmeyer R 90-230 RG is a four-seat light aircraft designed and produced in Germany in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Design and development

MF-85

initially designed the Ruschmeyer MF-85, intended to be powered by Porsche PFM 3200 derivatives, which was debuted at the 1987 Hannover Air Show. The MF-85 was a composite four seat aircraft, planned to be offered with engines, priced at DM245,000 to DM325,000, with optional fixed or retractable undercarriage.
The prototype first flew with a Porsche PFM 3200N, driving a 3-bladed Mühlbauer MTV.9 constant speed propeller, on 8 August 1988, piloted by Horst Ruschmeyer. The second and third aircraft, V002 and V003, on flew on 23 September 1990 and 12 February 1992 respectively. Despite promising flight test results, the unavailability of Porche engines led to the development of the Textron Lycoming powered R 90.

R 90

Powered by a Lycoming IO-540-C4D5 driving a Mühlbauer MTV.14-B constant speed propeller, the production R 90-230RG was built from 1988 to the mid-1990s in Germany. The engine is de-rated to to reduce noise, but still enables the R 90 to reach a maximum cruising speed of. German certification was awarded in June 1992. After a short production period Ruschmeyer Luftfahrttechnik filed for bankruptcy in 1996, however in 1999 Solaris Aviation was founded, and purchased the assets of Ruschmeyer, marketing the R90 as the Solaris Sigma.

Variants

Data from:
;MF-85: The first three prototypes powered by Porsche PFM 3200 engines.
;R 90: Production aircraft powered by Lycoming IO-540-C4D5 engines
;R 95: 5/6 seat variant with retractable undercarriage.
;Solaris Sigma: Production and marketing in the United States

Specifications (R 90-230 RG)