Gyroflug Speed Canard
Gyroflug · Germany · first flew 1980 · light aircraft
The Gyroflug Speed Canard is a German two-seat composite canard pusher light aircraft first flown in December 1980, notable as one of the earliest certified all-composite canard designs in the world.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 4.7 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Canard pusher configuration — forward fin ahead of cockpit
- All-composite VariEze-style layout with winglet-mounted rudders at the wingtips
- Rear-mounted pusher propeller behind enclosed 2-seat cockpit
Distinguished by its canard foreplanes, rear pusher propeller, and very short fuselage pod; the absence of a conventional tail and the forward-swept canard make it unmistakable among European light aircraft.
Specifications
- The Gyroflug Speed Canard has a length of 4.7 m (15 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.77 m (25 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 295 km/h (183 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by Gyroflug GmbH in the late 1970s, the Speed Canard received German certification in 1983 and attracted attention for its efficient composite airframe and modern aerodynamic layout. The design drew on canard theory popularised in part by Burt Rutan's American homebuilt work of the same era. A small number were produced for the European GA market.
Variants
The basic SC01 Speed Canard was the primary certified production variant; minor engine and equipment updates were offered over the production run.
Where you'll see it
Operated by private owners in Germany and across Europe, the Speed Canard remained a niche but respected choice among performance-oriented GA pilots.
Related aircraft
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