Pouplume
EC-3S Pouplume Sport (F-PYKM)
Role Ultralight
Manufacturer homebuilt
Designer Emilien Croses
First flight 1960

The Croses Pouplume ("lousefeather") was an unusual ultralight aircraft developed in France in the 1960s. It was inspired by Henri Mignet's Pou-du-Ciel design with its distinctive tandem wing layout. Croses set out to develop a similar aircraft, to be powered by a single-cylinder motorcycle engine of around 6 kW (8 hp). Construction was wood with fabric covering.[1] The resulting machine, designated the EC-1 weighed only 108 kg (238 lb) empty, and first flew in about 1960. Like the Pou-du-Ciel, the Pouplume dispensed with traditional ailerons and elevators, and pivoted the entire forward wing to provide pitch control.

The EC-1 was followed by the EC-2, a two-seat version powered by a conventional aero-engine, and the EAC-3, the definitive version marketed for homebuilding, again powered by a motorcycle engine. By 1977, at least twelve examples of the EAC-3 had flown. A further development, the Pouplume Sport was designed to be powered by a 1500 cc Volkswagen air-cooled engine, and featured wings of reduced span. In 1977, about 55 of this version were known to be under construction.


Variants

Croses EC-1 Pouplume
Single seat
Croses EC-2 Pouplume
Two seat
Croses EAC-3 Pouplume
Homebuilt version
Croses Pouplume Sport
VW powered


Specifications (typical EC-3)

General characteristics

  • Crew: One pilot
  • Length: 4.70 m (15 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan: 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in)
  • Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 16.0 m2 (172 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 110 kg (243 lb)
  • Gross weight: 220 kg (485 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Monet-Goyon motorcycle engine , 6.0 kW (8.0 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 70 km/h (44 mph, 38 kn)

References

  1. Air Progress Sport Aircraft: 74. Winter 1969. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 272. ISBN 0-7106-0710-5.
  • Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1977-78. London: Jane's Jearbooks. p. 486.
  • "Croses Pouplume: Monomoteur ultra-léger". Aviation Magazine (341): 49. 15 February 1962.


See also


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