Eugeniusz Pieniazek was well-known pilot in aviation circles in 1960s Poland, he flew gliders in Polish aviation exhibitions in Sweden, but then the Polish security service tried to recruit him. When he wouldn’t cooperate, they started a file on him and refused to grant him permission to fly. He lost his job and his passport — but, crucially, not his pilot’s license.

Using a Continental aircraft engine and parts from different gliders — the tail from a Foka, the wings from a Swallow — he began assembling an aircraft in his 7-year-old daughter’s bedroom in their apartment in Leszno, about 200 miles west of Warsaw. The tail extended into the hallway.

As each component was completed, he lowered it out his first-floor window and then took it to a nearby hangar for storage and assembly. The wooden plane, which his daughter named the Kukulka, or Cuckoo, wasn’t even that secret. It was the first self-constructed plane registered with Polish authorities, and the national media picked up the story.

After 26 months, the Cuckoo was airworthy. Pieniazek flew it on short trips around Poland for months. In that time, he trained 44 other pilots in the Cuckoo, including several women.

On September 13, 1971, Poland’s borders were difficult to cross. Once airborne, Pieniazek opted to fly due south across Hungary to what was then Yugoslavia. Even though it too was under communist rule, Marshall Tito had broken with Stalin and the Soviet Union in 1948, and since then the country had more or less gone its own non-aligned way. But that route meant flying across the eastern end of Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia) as well as Hungary, both part of the Eastern Bloc. Nevertheless, Pieniazek set off in the middle of a storm and never turned back.

Pieniazek’s supporters didn’t know for months whether he’d made it or not, and the country mourned what they assumed was the loss of their pilot hero. In fact, by flying low under the radar and following railway lines — his main navigational tool was a road map — he had managed to land safely just inside the Yugoslav border in the town of Subotica (now in Serbia) after a four-hour flight.

Without a passport, he immediately was arrested and thrown in prison. The Yugoslavian authorities apparently never informed Poland that they’d taken their do-it-yourself airman prisoner. Seven months went by. Then, one day, the warden simply told Pieniazek to leave (Yugoslav officials held onto the Cuckoo). The airman was taken to the Austrian border, where he managed to successfully apply for asylum in Sweden.

Once in Sweden, Pieniazek spent two years arranging for his family to join him. After some time he was able to retrieve Kukulka. Pieniazek drove to Yugoslavia, paid for two years of hangar storage fees and towed the Cuckoo back to Sweden behind their Volkswagen Beetle with the plane’s wings tied on top. The plane sat at the airport for 17 years before restoration and registration had her back in flight condition.

Eventually, both the Cuckoo and Pieniazek ended up back in Poland. After the end of communist rule in Poland, in 1989, Pieniazek returned home to Leszno, where he founded the Experimental Aviation Association and continued to build planes

In 2005 the Cuckoo took up residence at Krakow’s Museum of Aviation.

The C.P. 328 Super Emeraude is a side by side two seat, low wing aircraft designed by Claude Piel. Construction materials are wood & fabric, and the landing gear is a fixed tailwheel.

The most significant improvement in the Super Emeraude is a reinforced structure to allow the use of engines up to 150 hp and to be fully aerobatic when flown solo. It is distinguished by a larger and swept-back vertical tail, which improves directional stability. Other¬wise the airplane has all modern features including: slotted flaps, slot¬ted ailerons, single-leg landing gear, steerable tail wheel and sliding canopy. The Super Emeraude is approved for categories N, U and A.

The tail may be built in a straight or swept configuration.

Scintex SA, a mechanical and electrical equipment manufacturer, held an exclusive license to build improved versions of the Piel Emeraude. They built the Super Emeraude with fixed landing gear as the CP1310/CP1315.

Engine: Continental, 100 hp
Span: 26.5 ft
Length: 21.0 ft
Height: 6.3 ft
Area: 117 sq ft
Empty Weight: 800 – 900 lbs
Gross Weight (N): 1545 lbs
Gross Weight (U): 1455 lbs
Gross Weight (A): 1125 lbs
Fuel: 185 lbs
U/C Track: 6.72 ft
Baggage: 100 lbs
Dihedral: 5° 40′
Incidence: 4° 10′
Max Speed: 143 mph
Cruise 75% 5,000 ft: 136 mph
Cruise 65% 5,000 ft: 127 mph
Range: 620 miles
T/O Distance: 600 ft
Rate Of Climb: 780 fpm
Stall Speed Flaps Up: 60 mph
Stall Speed Flaps Down: 56 mph
Max Speed Flaps Down: 93 mph
Approach Speed Flaps Down: 65 mph
Optimum Takeoff Speed: 72 mph
Vne: 172 mph
Complete set of plans 2009: US$325

Engine: Lycoming115 hp
Span: 26.5 ft
Length: 21.0 ft
Height: 6.3 ft
Area: 117 sq ft
Empty Weight: 800 – 900 lbs
Gross Weight (N): 1545 lbs
Gross Weight (U): 1455 lbs
Gross Weight (A): 1125 lbs
Fuel: 185 lbs
U/C Track: 6.72 ft
Baggage: 100 lbs
Dihedral: 5° 40′
Incidence: 4° 10′
Max Speed: 150 mph
Cruise 75% 5,000 ft: 142 mph
Cruise 65% 5,000 ft: 135 mph
Range: 620 miles
T/O Distance: 450 ft
Rate Of Climb: 780 fpm
Stall Speed Flaps Up: 60 mph
Stall Speed Flaps Down: 56 mph
Max Speed Flaps Down: 93 mph
Approach Speed Flaps Down: 65 mph
Optimum Takeoff Speed: 75 mph
Vne: 172 mph
Complete set of plans 2009: US$325

Scintex CP 1310 Super Emeraude
Engine : Continental, 99 hp
Length : 21.161 ft / 6.45 m
Height : 8.038 ft / 2.45 m
Wingspan : 27.067 ft / 8.25 m
Wing area : 118.404 sq.ft / 11.0 sq.m
Max take off weight : 1455.3 lb / 660.0 kg
Max. speed : 127 kt / 235 km/h
Service ceiling : 14108 ft / 4300 m
Wing load : 12.3 lb/sq.ft / 60.0 kg/sq.m
Range : 540 nm / 1000 km
Crew : 2

CP.1315
Engine: Lycoming, 150 hp
HP range: 150-160
Length: 21.65 ft
Wing span: 25.9 ft
Wing area: 119.5 sq.ft
Height: 8.3 ft
Weight empty: 1190 lb
Gross: 2075 lb
Fuel cap: 55 USG
Speed max: 196 mph
Cruise: 161 mph
Range: 950 sm
Stall: 53 mph
ROC: 1220 fpm
Take-off dist: 650 ft
Landing dist: 850 ft
Service ceiling: 13,000 ft
Seats: 2/3
Landing gear: tail wheel retractable

Designed in France by M.M. Blaircacq and M. Claude Piel, the prototype Emeraude CP 30 was powered by a 65 h.p. Continental engine and first flew in 1952. A later development, designated CP 301A is fitted with a 90 or 100 h.p. Continental engine.

The Emerald seats two people side by side and has dual controls. The fuselage is a rectangular wooden framed structure with curved top decking and fabric covering. The fin is built integral with the fuselage. The tailplane is a single spar all wood unit. The rudder and elevator are fabric covered. The wings are of NACA 23012 section. The inner portion of the wing is rectangular, and the outer part elliptical. The leading edge forward of the box type spar, is plywood covered to form a torsion box. The remainder of the wing including the ailerons is fabric covered. Slotted flaps are fitted inboard of the ailerons. The main landing gear utilises rubber in compression, and the tailwheel is mounted on a leaf spring. A 17.6 Imp. gallon fuel tank is located behind the firewall with provision for an auxiliary tank of 8.8 gallons.

The Scintex Emeraude (65 hp. A65 or 90 hp.), designed by M. Claude Piel, this two seat light monoplane is built under licence by three French companies, of which Scintex S.A. is the major one.

Scintex SA, a mechanical and electrical equipment manufacturer, held an exclusive license to build improved versions of the Piel Emeraude. Built the CP301C, also in C1, C2 and C3 versions, and the two-seat Super Emeraude with fixed landing gear as the CP1310/CP1315.

The aircraft is also supplied in kit form for amateur construction. Its loaded weight is 1,350 lb. and its cruising speed 122 m.p.h. Range is 590 miles.

Schempp-Hirth KG licenced built Emeraude and Smaragd before passing production to Binder Aviatik KG in 1966. Production began of the CP 301 S Smaragd. Built under license, this aircraft was a deluxe version of the Piel Emeraude.

Durban-based (Genair / General Aircraft (Pty.) Ltd.) built the Piel Emeraude two-seat light aircraft under the name Aeriel Mk II. First prototype flown in October 1959, and first production aircraft in February 1960. Aeriel was subsequently built by Southern Aircraft Construction and Robertson Aircraft Sales, but in September 1962 Durban Aircraft Corporation was formed to continue its construction.

Garland-Bianchi Aircraft Co was formed in 1955 by P. A. T. Garland and D. E. Bianchi to license-build the Piel CP.301 Emeraude two-seat light aircraft, subsequently renamed Linnet. Built two aircraft before a new company, Fairtravel Ltd, was formed by AVM Don Bennett to take over production. Fairtravel Ltd. built three more Linnets, the last being delivered in 1965.

The Garland-Bianchi Linnet first flew at Fair Oaks airfield in August 1958.

The Fairtravel Linnet was selling at £2,395 ex-works, the standard Linnet has a 105 h.p. Continental O-200 engine, full blind-flying panel with venturi-driven, reconditioned instruments, standard 18 Imp gal fuel tank and an indicated cruising speed, using 72 % power at sea level, of 116 mph. Its useful load makes it possible to carry two people, the full optional 28 Imp gal of fuel and 60 lb of luggage or equipment, for a maximum range of 645 miles.
Delivery time of a few weeks is being quoted.

It operates in the normal category at a gross weight of 1,4001b, but the claim is made that it could obtain clearance for aerobatics at a weight limited to 1,2851b, which would still allow two people and normal fuel to be carried.
Flight International flew the first Fairtravel Linnet, G-APRH, at Blackbushe with AVM Bennett and found it corresponded quite closely to the French original.

It achieved its 116 mph cruise speed at 1,000ft. Elevator ttim, worked from a lever between the seats, was so effective that the aircraft could easily be flown with this rather than with the stick. Dual control is standard, but the right stick can be unclipped and stowed. Trim changes following flap movements were virtually cancelled out by a separate elevator trim tab linked with the flaps. Heel brakes and spring-connected tailwheel made ground handling easy. Visibility through the optional sliding canopy (a hard top with doors is standard) was excellent.

Full blind-flying panel as part of the standard aircraft and the electrical system and starter are standard, as are stall warning horn and fuel-boost pump. A heater is standard.

The original Linnet had a short undercarriage, which gave a very flat ground angle, making three-point landings difficult to achieve without touching the tailwheel first. The legs were to be lengthened by 3in in future aircraft.

The Garland-Bianchi built Linnet II, powered by a Continental C90-14F, were;
c/n 001 G-APNS first flown in 1958
c/n 002 G-APRH first flown in 1959, written off on 5 May 1967
c/n 003 G-AFVO not completed and sold to Fairtravel and finished as G-ASFW first flying in 1963
Two Linnet II were completed by Fairtravel with revisions including a one-piece rearward sliding canopy and powered by a Rolls-Royce/Continental O-200-A. These were;
c/n 004 G-ASMT first flying in 1964
c/n 005 G-ASZR first flying in 1965

A development of the CP.301 resulted in the Mudry CAP-10.

Gallery

CP.30
Engine: Continental A65, 65 hp
Wingspan: 29 ft 6 n
Length: 21 ft
Height: 7 ft 4 in
Empty weight: 610 lb
Loaded weight: 1095 lb
Max speed: 118 mph at SL
Cruise: 105 mph
ROC: 882 fpm
Range: 830 mi

Engine: Continental, 90 h.p
Span: 26’ 6”
Length: 19’ 9”
Wing Area: 116.7 sq. ft
Empty Weight: 838 lb
Loaded Weight: 1410 lb
Wing Loading: 12.1 lb/sq. ft
Max. Speed: 134 mph
Cruise Speed: 121 mph
Stall Speed: 50 mph
Initial Climb: 785 fpm
Range: 590 miles

Fairtravel Linnet
Engine: Continental O-200, 105 hp
Span: 26 ft 5 in
Length: 20 ft 9 in
Wing area 116.8 sq.ft
Empty weight 8101b
Gross weight: 1,400 lb
Fuel capacity, standard: 18 Imp gal
Fuel capacity, optional: 28 Imp gal
Wing loading: ll.5 lb/sq.ft
Power loading: 23.31 bhp /sq.ft
Maximum speed: 132 mph
Cruising speed 72% power: 116 mph
Economical cruising speed: 109 mph
Max range 103 mph 28 Imp gal: 643 miles
Take-off run: 900 ft
Take-off to 50ft: 1.500 ft
Landing run: 820 ft

The Sapphire is a single-seat racing airplane of all-wood construction designed by Claude Piel. The airplane is stressed for the load factors of +12 and 19 C’s at the maximum takeoff weight of 770 pounds. The Saphhire can accommodate any engine from 50 to 100 hp. Its wing is fully cantilevered and tapered for minimum drag and has a tip-to-tip laminated box spar to avoid heavy root fittings and wing alignment problems. The fuselage consists of three bulkheads and is entirely plywood covered. The cockpit is roomy enough to accommodate a large pilot. The landing gear is a fixed tailwheel configuration.

The Cougar is a single-place, high-speed aerobatic monoplane. It utilizes an all-wood design and a 90-hp engine.

In 1980 plans were available from E. Littner, Box 272, Saint Laurent, Quebec H4L 4V6, Canada.

Engine range: 65 to 100 hp
Span: 19.7 ft
Length: 17.3 ft
Height: 5.6 ft
Area: 66.7 sq ft
Empty Weight: 575 lbs
Fuel: 60 lbs
Max Speed: 200 mph
Cruise 75% 5,000 ft: 175 mph
Cruise 65% 5,000 ft: 155 mph
Stall Flaps Up: 60 mph
Approach Speed: 80 mph
Vne: 235 mph
Rate Of Climb: 2350 ft/min
T/O distance: 650 ft
Landing Distance: 650 ft
Range (65%): 280 miles
Complete set of plans 2009: US$225

Zephyr
Engine: Continental C-90, 90 hp
HP range: 65-90
Height: 5.6 ft
Length: 17.3 ft
Wing span: 19.7 ft
Wing area: 66.7 sq.ft
Weight empty: 515 lb
Gross: 840 lb
Fuel cap: 10 USG
Speed max: 200 mph
Cruise: 155 mph
Range: 280 sm
Stall: 50 mph
ROC: 2300 fpm
Take-off dist: 600 ft
Landing dist: 650 ft
Service ceiling: 10,000 ft
Seats: 1
Landing gear: tail wheel

Littner Zephyr
Engine: Continental O-100, 100 hp
HP range: 65-100
Height: 5.6 ft
Length: 17.3 ft
Wing span: 19.7 ft
Wing area: 66.7 sq.ft
Speed max: 200 mph
Cruise: 155 mph
Range: 280 sm
Stall: 50 mph
Weight empty: 515 lb
Gross: 840 lb
Fuel cap: 10 USG
ROC: 2300 fpm
Take-off dist: 650 ft
Landing dist: 650 ft
Service ceiling: 10,000 ft
Seats: 1
Landing gear: tail wheel

Cougar
Gross Wt. 770 lbs
Empty Wt. 525 lb
Fuel capacity 10 USG
Wingspan 23’8”
Length 20’l0”
Top speed 190 mph
Cruise 160 mph
Stall 67 mph
Climb rate 2300 fpm
Takeoff run 600 ft
Landing roll 600 ft
Range 300 sm