Sportavia-Putzer RF5
8 on the U.S. register. Built from 1972 to 1977; half of them date from 1974 or earlier. Oregon has the most (2). 25% are registered to companies, flight schools, clubs and other organisations; the rest to individuals, who are never named here.
About the RF5 from the FAA's model table
- Type
- Glider · Gliders
- Power
- Piston (reciprocating), 1 engine
- Common engines
- Limbach 1700E (5), Volkswagen Conversion (1), Limbach Limbach L2000 (1)
- Seats
- 2
- Cruise speed
- about 60 mph
- Maker on the register
- Sportavia Putzer
- Registered
- earliest certificate August 6, 1974; newest August 4, 2025
Where they are owner's state
Oregon2Pennsylvania1New York1New Mexico1North Dakota1Colorado1California1
Who owns them registrant type
Individual4 (50%)Co-owned2 (25%)LLC1 (12%)Corporation1 (12%)
Versions as the FAA records them · click one to list only those aircraft
| Version | Registered | Built | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| RF5B SPERBER | 8 | 1972 to 1977 | 100.0% |
When they were built by decade
Registrations by year certificates issued since 2010, including changes of owner · 2026 is the year so far
Registration status
Valid8 (100%)
Airworthiness certificate class
Experimental8 (100%)
Biggest operators companies, schools and clubs
Triple Cities Soaring Society1N99809 LLC1
Accident history NTSB records · 2 cases since 1982, 0 fatal
2018-05-22WPR18LA145 · RF5B SPERBER N66GL · accident near Lookout Pass, MT · minor injuries
1983-07-16NYC83LA179 · RF5B SPERBER N55WV · accident near Warren, VT · no injuries
The 2 most recent of 2 cases where the NTSB's make and model match this family's versions. Rates per registered aircraft, phases of flight and causes are coming with the analytics stage. Each aircraft's own page also shows its record.
Questions people ask answers refresh every morning
How many Sportavia-Putzer RF5 aircraft are registered in the U.S.?
8 as of October 2, 2026, counting 1 version the FAA records separately.
Which state has the most Sportavia-Putzer RF5s?
Oregon, with 2.
Who owns the Sportavia-Putzer RF5?
25% are registered to companies, flight schools, clubs and other organisations; the rest to individuals and co-owners, who are never named on this site.
Aircraft newest certificates first · 8 RF5B SPERBER (all versions)
| Tail no. | Maker and model | Owner and base | Certificate | Registered | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N99809 | Sportavia Putzer RF5B SPERBER |
N99809 LLC Boulder, Colorado |
Experimental | 2025-08-04 | Valid |
| N55SM | Sportavia Putzer RF5B SPERBER |
Individual owner Oregon |
Experimental | 2019-06-27 | Valid |
| N99818 | Sportavia Putzer RF5B SPERBER |
Co-owned owner New Mexico |
Experimental | 2019-06-05 | Valid |
| N99814 | Sportavia Putzer RF5B SPERBER |
Individual owner California |
Experimental | 2016-10-18 | Valid |
| N55GS | Sportavia Putzer RF5B SPERBER |
Triple Cities Soaring Society Endicott, New York |
Experimental | 2010-10-19 | Valid |
| N55BG | Sportavia Putzer RF5B SPERBER |
Individual owner Pennsylvania |
Experimental | 1990-11-05 | Valid |
| N55HG | Sportavia Putzer RF5B SPERBER |
Individual owner North Dakota |
Experimental | 1980-01-03 | Valid |
| N55RN | Sportavia Putzer RF5B SPERBER |
Co-owned owner Oregon |
Experimental | 1974-08-06 | Valid |