Piel CP.500

Summary

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]

CP.500
Role utility aircraft
National origin France
Designer Claude Piel
Status Abandoned project


Specifications (as designed) edit

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 sq ft)
  • 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, 162 kn)
  • Range: 1,200 km (745 mi, 647 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 6,800 m (22,300 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 9.0 m/s (1,770 ft/min)

Notes edit

  1. ^ Taylor 1989, p.726
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1977–78, p.497
  3. ^ a b Roskam 1997, p.29
  4. ^ Gunston 1993, p.238

References edit

  • 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.