Piel CP.500

Last updated
CP.500
Roleutility aircraft
National originFrance
Designer Claude Piel
StatusAbandoned project

The Piel CP.500 was a light aircraft of unusual configuration designed in France [1] in the 1970s with the intention of marketing it for homebuilding. [2] [3] This did not transpire, however, and no prototype was actually built. It was a tandem wing design, [3] [4] somewhat reminiscent of the Mignet Pou-du-Ciel but considerably larger. [2] Also, unlike the Pou-du-Ciel's unusual control system, the CP.500's pitch and roll control was to come from more conventional elevons mounted on the rear wing. [2] The rear wing was also to carry endplate-style fins and rudders. [2] Twin engines were to be mounted in push-pull fashion at the nose and tail ends of the fuselage, with the aircraft capable of single-engine operation in case of emergency. [2] Two seats were to be provided at the front of the fully enclosed cabin, with a bench seat for three passengers behind them, plus an optional seat for a sixth occupant behind this. [2] The undercarriage was to be of fixed, tricycle configuration. [2] Construction was originally planned to be of wood, with engine cowlings and wingtips of composite construction. However, as development progressed, Piel considered metal as the main construction material. [2]

Contents


Specifications (as designed)

Data fromJane's All the World's Aircraft 1977–78, p.497

General characteristics

Performance

Notes

  1. Taylor 1989, p.726
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1977–78, p.497
  3. 1 2 Roskam 1997, p.29
  4. Gunston 1993, p.238

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