Piel CP.500
| CP.500 |
| Role |
utility aircraft |
| National origin |
France |
| Designer |
Claude Piel |
| Status |
Abandoned 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]
Specifications (as designed)
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1977–78, p.497
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Capacity: 4-5 passengers
- Length: 6.10 m (20 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 8.80 m (28 ft 11 in)
- Height: 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in)
- Wing area: 20.3 m2 (218 ft2)
- Empty weight: 866 kg (1,910 lb)
- Gross weight: 1,500 kg (3,310 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Lycoming O-320, 120 kW (160 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 300 km/h (186 mph)
- Range: 1,200 km (745 miles)
- Service ceiling: 6,800 m (22,300 ft)
- Rate of climb: 9.0 m/s (1,770 ft/min)
Notes
- ^ Taylor 1989, p.726
- ^ a b c d e f g h Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1977–78, p.497
- ^ a b Roskam 1997, p.29
- ^ Gunston 1993, p.238
References
- Gunston, Bill (1993). World Encyclopedia of Aircraft Manufacturers. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press.
- Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1977–78. London: Jane's Publishing.
- Roskam, Jan (1997). Airplane Design Part II: Preliminary Configuration Design and Integration of the Propulsion System. Lawrence, Kansas: DARcorporation.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
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