Celair Eagle 300
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 1980s |
| Founder | Pieter Celliers |
| Defunct | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Roodewal, Ermelo , South Africa |
| Products | Light aircraft (Eagle 300) |
The Celair Eagle 300 represented a South African light aircraft designed with STOL capabilities, developed during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Only one prototype was ever constructed.
Design
The Eagle 300 was a high-wing monoplane supported by struts, featuring a traditional configuration. Its enclosed cabin was designed to seat a pilot plus as many as five passengers, with seats that could be removed to create additional cargo space. The aircraft utilized a conventional tail assembly and fixed tailwheel landing gear. A notable feature was the large cargo door hinged upwards, located on the port side of the rear fuselage to facilitate loading.
The fuselage’s central section was built around a steel tube framework, while the wings contained a single steel spar. The remainder of the airframe predominantly consisted of composite materials, including a honeycomb structure made from low-pressure/elevated-temperature (LPET) fibreglass combined with Nomex honeycomb.
Development
Pieter Celliers’ company, Celair, served as the South African distributor for Christen and Pitts aircraft. In August 1987, Celliers commissioned the South African government's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to create a straightforward and durable aircraft capable of seating four to six individuals.
Seeking to incorporate composite materials, Celliers simultaneously developed the sailplane Celair GA-1 alongside the Eagle 300 to test construction techniques. Following the GA-1’s successful development, production of the Eagle commenced at Celair’s facility in Roodewal near Ermelo.
The prototype, registered as ZS-WLD, completed its maiden flight on 4 April 1990. It was soon after presented at the Aviation Africa 90 exhibition held at Rand Airport. Celliers intended to obtain certification under both American FAR 23 standards and South African DCA regulations, aiming to begin manufacturing by 1992.
However, by 1993, development activities had halted and Celair ceased operations. In February of that year, the rights to produce the Eagle design were put up for sale.