Piel Emeraude
Claude Piel / various amateur builders · France · first flew 1954 · light aircraft
The Piel Emeraude is a French homebuilt light aircraft of elegant wooden construction, designed by Claude Piel and notable for its graceful elliptical wing and sparkling performance from modest engines.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.3 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- wooden homebuilt with graceful tapered low wing
- fully enclosed tandem or side-by-side cabin with sliding canopy
- clean elliptical wingtips giving it a slightly Spitfire-esque look in plan
The Emeraude's most striking feature in plan view is its gently elliptical wingtip, unusual among wooden homebuilts. The clean, enclosed cabin and low-set tapered wing give it a much more refined appearance than a Jodel or Druine Turbulent.
Specifications
- The Piel Emeraude has a length of 6.3 m (21 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.04 m (26 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 215 km/h (134 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Claude Piel designed the Emeraude (Emerald) in the early 1950s as an amateur-construction project. Its wooden structure and clean aerodynamics made it popular with homebuilders across Europe, and several hundred were completed. The design also inspired licensed commercial production versions.
Variants
The CP 30 Emeraude is the prototype configuration; subsequent variants include the CP 301 through CP 328, varying in engine choice, wing span, and cabin layout. The Super Emeraude CP 1315 stretched the concept further.
Where you'll see it
Built and flown primarily by private owners across France, Belgium, and the UK; a small number were commercially produced. Many examples survive and fly today.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.