Piel CP.500

The Piel CP.500 was a light aircraft of unusual configuration designed in France^[1] in the 1970s with the intention of marketing it for homebuilding.^[2][3] This did not transpire, however, and no prototype was actually built. It was a tandem wing design,^[3][4] somewhat reminiscent of the Mignet Pou-du-Ciel but considerably larger.^[2] Also, unlike the Pou-du-Ciel's unusual control system, the CP.500's pitch and roll control was to come from more conventional elevons mounted on the rear wing.^[2] The rear wing was also to carry endplate-style fins and rudders.^[2] Twin engines were to be mounted in push-pull fashion at the nose and tail ends of the fuselage, with the aircraft capable of single-engine operation in case of emergency.^[2] Two seats were to be provided at the front of the fully enclosed cabin, with a bench seat for three passengers behind them, plus an optional seat for a sixth occupant behind this.^[2] The undercarriage was to be of fixed, tricycle configuration.^[2] Construction was originally planned to be of wood, with engine cowlings and wingtips of composite construction. However, as development progressed, Piel considered metal as the main construction material.^[2]