__NOTOC__ The Croses ''Pouplume'' ("lousefeather") was an unusual

ultralight aircraft Ultralight aviation (called microlight aviation in some countries) is the flying of lightweight, 1- or 2-seat fixed-wing aircraft. Some countries differentiate between weight-shift control and Aircraft flight control system, conventional three-a ...

developed in

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

in the 1960s. It was inspired by

Henri Mignet Henri Mignet (19 October 1893 – 31 August 1965) was a French radio engineer who became well known as an aircraft designer and builder.Ellis & Jones (1990)Plane and Pilot: ''1978 Aircraft Directory'', page 142. Werner & Werner Corp, Santa Mon ...

'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. 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

aileron An aileron (French for "little wing" or "fin") is a hinged flight control surface usually forming part of the trailing edge of each wing of a fixed-wing aircraft. Ailerons are used in pairs to control the aircraft in roll (or movement aroun ...

s and

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, 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 The Volkswagen air-cooled engine is an Air-cooled engine, air-cooled, gasoline-fuelled, boxer engine with four horizontally opposed cast-iron cylinder (engine), cylinders, cast aluminum alloy cylinder heads and pistons, magnesium-alloy crankca ...

, 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)

References

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Variants

Specifications (typical EC-3)

References

See also