Ambrosini Rondone

Development

The Rondone was designed to meet the needs of Italian private pilots and aero clubs for a more modern touring aircraft. Stelio Frati prepared the basic design for the prototype two-seat F.4 Rondone I which was built by CVV in 1951. This was followed by nine production examples produced by SAI Ambrosini in collaboration with Aeronautica Lombardi.

The three-seat F.7 Rondone II first flew on 10 February 1954 and the prototype and nine production examples were built for Ambrosini by Legnami Pasotti.

The Rondone is of conventional wooden construction with a plywood-covered one-piece single spar wing and a monocoque fuselage. The tricycle undercarriage is retractable. Two-position flaps and dual controls are fitted. The Rondone II has an extended cabin with additional rear side windows.

Operational history

The Rondone was initially mainly sold to individuals and clubs in Italy, but examples later served in France and Germany. Several were still operational in 2009, including the German aircraft.

Variants

(per Green 1965 and Simpson 2005)

F.4 Rondone I prototype

Two-seater with a 65 hp (48 kW) Walter Mikron III. 1 built

F.4 Rondone I production aircraft

Two-seater with a 85 hp (63 kW) Continental. 9 built.

F.7 Rondone II

Three-seater with a 90 hp (67 kW) Continental C90-12F engine. 10 built. Some were later fitted with a 135 hp (101 kW) Lycoming O-290-D2 engine.

Specifications (F.7 Rondone II with Lycoming engine)

Data from Simpson, 2001

General characteristics

Crew: one

Capacity: two passengers

Length: 22 ft 4 in (6.81 m)

Wingspan: 30 ft 6 in (9.30 m)

Height: 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m)

Wing area: 114 ft² (10.60 m²)

Empty weight: 1,164 lb (528 kg)

Gross weight: 1,980 lb (898 kg)

Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-290-D2, 135 hp (101 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 165 mph (267 km/h)

Cruise speed: 145 mph (235 km/h)

Range: 435 miles (705 km)

Service ceiling: 12,460 ft (3800 m)

Rate of climb: 850 ft/min (4.32 m/s)