CFA D.7 Cricri Major

The CFA D.7 Cricri Major was a French-built light civil aircraft of the 1940s.

CFA D.7 Cricri Major
CFA-built Cricri Major airworthy at Pontoise airfield near Paris in June 1967
Role	light civil aircraft
National origin	France
Manufacturer	Compagnie Francaise d'Aviation
First flight	15 March 1949
Primary user	aero clubs and private pilots
Number built	10
Developed from	Salmson Cricri

Development

The CFA D.7 Cricri Major was a postwar-built light high-wing monoplane with enclosed two-seat tandem glazed cabin and a fixed tail-wheel undercarriage, powered by a Salmson 5Aq-01 radial engine.^[1]

Operational history

An initial series of ten Cricri (Cricket) Majors was completed and these were bought by aero clubs and private pilots. The design was rather outdated and no further examples were completed.^[2] Four D.7s remained in service in 1956^[3] and one, F-BFNG remained airworthy in 1967. This aircraft has been restored to airworthiness and was operational in 2005.^[4]

Specifications

Data from Green, 1956, p.45

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 1 passenger
• Length: 23 ft 3 in (7.09 m)
• Wingspan: 35 ft 11 in (10.95 m)
• Height: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
• Wing area: 200 ft² (18.58 m²)
• Empty weight: 1,023 lb (464 kg)
• Gross weight: 1,585 lb (719 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Salmson 5Aq-01 5-cylinder radial, 90 hp (67 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 93 mph (150 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 80 mph (129 km/h)
• Range: 312 miles (500 km)
• Service ceiling: 13,120 ft (4,000 m)

References

Notes

1. Simpson, 2005, p. 99
2. Simpson, 2005, p. 99
3. Green, 1956, p. 45
4. Simpson, 2005, p. 99

Bibliography

• Green, William (1956). The Aircraft of the World. Macdonald & Co (Publishers) Ltd.
• Simpson, Rod (2005). General Aviation Handbook. Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-222-5.