The Lucas L8, also called the L 8 and L-8, is a French amateur-built aircraft that was designed by Emile Lucas of Lagny-le-Sec. The aircraft is supplied in the form of plans for amateur construction.^[1][2]

Design and development

The L8 is the most popular Lucas design. It features a cantilever low-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit under a bubble canopy, fixed or optionally retractable tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.^[1][2]

The aircraft is made from sheet aluminum. Its 8 m (26.2 ft) span wing has an area of 10 m² (110 sq ft) and flaps. The standard engine used is the 180 hp (134 kW) Lycoming O-360 four-stroke powerplant which provides a cruise speed of 260 km/h (160 mph) for the retractable gear model.^[1][2]

Specifications (L8 retractable)

Data from Bayerl and Tacke^[1][2]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: one passenger
• Wingspan: 8 m (26 ft 3 in)
• Wing area: 10 m² (110 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 510 kg (1,124 lb)
• Gross weight: 850 kg (1,874 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 140 litres (31 imp gal; 37 US gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-360 four cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 130 kW (180 hp)
• Propellers: 2-bladed constant speed propeller

Performance

• Maximum speed: 290 km/h (180 mph, 160 kn)
• Cruise speed: 260 km/h (160 mph, 140 kn)
• Stall speed: 100 km/h (62 mph, 54 kn)
• Rate of climb: 7 m/s (1,400 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 85.0 kg/m² (17.4 lb/sq ft)