Lucas L8
# Lucas L8

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.

## 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.

The aircraft is made from sheet aluminum. Its 8 m (26.2 ft) span wing has an area of 10 $m^2$ (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.

## Specifications (L8 retractable)

Data from Bayerl and Tacke

General characteristics

* Crew: one
* Capacity: one passenger
* Wingspan: 8 m (26 ft 3 in)
* Wing area: 10 $m^2$ (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 $kg/m^2$ (17.4 lb/sq ft)
