LFU 205
Leichtflugtechnik-Union · Germany · first flew 1968 · light aircraft
The LFU 205 was a West German two-seat experimental light aircraft first flown on 29 March 1968, built by a consortium of Bölkow, Pützer, and Rhein-Flugzeugbau as a technology demonstrator for all-GRP composite construction.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.65 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- All-GRP composite construction — one of the first certified glass-fibre GA aircraft
- Clean low-wing two-seat monoplane with smooth moulded surfaces
- Retractable tricycle undercarriage and fully enclosed cockpit
The exceptionally smooth, seamless exterior and absence of conventional metal skin-stringer construction details distinguish the LFU 205 visually from aluminium contemporaries.
Specifications
- The LFU 205 has a length of 7.65 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.85 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 360 km/h (224 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Funded as a joint industry research project, the LFU 205 was intended to prove that glass-reinforced plastic could be used for a complete certified light aircraft airframe. A single prototype was constructed and flown, demonstrating the structural viability of the material and influencing subsequent European composite aircraft development.
Variants
Only a single prototype was completed; no production version was developed.
Where you'll see it
The LFU 205 served purely as a research demonstrator; its technical findings contributed to the broader adoption of composite materials in European light aircraft design.
Related aircraft
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