SIPA S.90

Société Industrielle Pour l'Aéronautique · France · first flew 1948 · light aircraft

The SIPA S.90 was a French light training aircraft developed after World War II, directly derived from the German Arado Ar 396 (a simplified variant of the Ar 96) which had been produced in France during the occupation. It retained the clean low-wing monoplane layout of its German predecessor.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	5.74 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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French two-seat light trainer based on wartime German Arado Ar 96 design
Low-wing monoplane with retractable undercarriage
Tandem seating with glazed canopy

Resembles its Arado Ar 96 ancestor closely — a clean low-wing monoplane with a fully retractable undercarriage, tandem cockpit under a long glazed canopy, and a radial engine.

Specifications

The SIPA S.90 has a length of 5.74 m (19 ft).
It has a wingspan of 8.74 m (29 ft).
Its maximum speed is 217 km/h (135 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

SIPA began producing the Ar 396 design in France under German occupation and continued development post-liberation, resulting in the S.90 series. The type served the French Armée de l'Air as a basic trainer in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Variants

Several sub-variants were produced including the S.901 and S.902 with different engines; the family formed the basis for later SIPA designs.

Where you'll see it

Used by the French Air Force for basic pilot training; also operated by the French Aéronavale in small numbers.

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