THETlNYTWlN
CRICRI:
FROMFRANCE
The160-Pound
CrickelMCl2Becomes
AnAerobofic
Airshow
Stopper
WHEN TWO CRICRIaircraft landed
after their first team flight at the 1981
Oshkosh show it was almost as though
the Pied Piper had walked through the
crowd. The tiny planes were complete-
ly surrounded by enthusiastic EAA
members with a curiosity that was
maintained throughout the entire show.
CriCri is the French Cricket MC12,
the world's smallest twin-engine air-
plane at 16 feet, 160 pounds. Powered
with two 12-hp Swedish snowmobile
Valmet engines, the tiny twin has a
c r u i s eo f 1 2 7 m p h a n d a r e d l i n eo f 1 6 0
mph. The wing is under 13 feet long
and has an area less than that of the
horizontal tail of a Rally, just 34 sq.ft.
Full-span "Junker-type" flap/ailerons
are hinged below the trailing edge of
4
the wing and will producea rate of roll
of 180 degrees per second.
The Cricket is f ully aerobatic,
s t r e s s e dt o * 9 a n d - 4 . 5 C ' s . T h e h u n -
dreds of thousands of people who at-
tended this year's Oshkosh show saw
team aerobatics with these tiny twins
by two French test pilots who call
themselves "Les'Porthos" after one of
the Three Musketeers. Actually, "Les
Porthos" are Claude Lelaie and Denis
Legrand, civilian test pilots for the
French Flight Test Center who perform
i n s o m e 4 0 E u r o p e a na i r s h o w s a n n u a l -
ly with the CAP 20 and 21 aircraft.
T h e C r i c k e t w a s d e s i g n e db y M i c h e l
Colomban who accompanied the two
m o d e l s o f t h e a i r c r a f t t o O s h k o s h .T h e
prototype was first flown in 1973, and
during the intervening years the design
was ref ined, and drawings and manuals
were prepared.
T h e t i n y t w i n w i l l b e a v a i l a b l et o U . S .
homebuilders through the Canadian
Zenair group very early in 1982. The
p r i c e f o r t h e k i t w i t h a l l m a t e r i a l s ,a l l
fittings complete, engines and props is
estimated at about $6,000. Zenair Presi-
dent Chris Heintz worked with the
C r i c k e t t e a m a t O s h k o s ha n d f i n a l i z e d
plans for producingthe kit in Canadar
O n l y e n g i n e s ,p r o p s , c a n o p y a n d l a n d -
ing gear will come from France.
The Cricket is designed to be dis-
assembled in three to five minutes.
A i l e r o n / fl a p s a r e c o n n e c t e dw i t h a b a l l
joint that precludes rerigging every
time the wings come off. The "Junker-

The Cricket's160-poundempty weightmakesit easyto move on the groundand
the ground and load
into its trailer' The wings aredetachable'
type" flaps increase wing area and
r e d u c ew i n g l o a d i n g f r o m 1 1 . 2t o e i g h t
pounds/sq.ft., producing a stall speed
of only 42 mph.
A c o m p a c t " h a n g a r - t r a i l e r "i s p a r t o f
the Cricket package.Both display air-
craft were shippedto Oshkoshaboard
a F r e n c h7 4 7 , s a f e l ye n c a s e di n t h e i r 5 x
1 3 1 / z - f o o th a n g a r - t r a i l e r s T
. he loaded
t r a i l e r w e i g h s l e s st h a n 5 0 0 p o u n d s a n d
is completely towable. The trailers
were used each night at Oshkosh to
secure the tiny aircraft.
L e l a i e ' sa n d L e g r a n d ' sw o r k w i t h t h e
French Flight Test Center includes
s u p e r s o n i c t e s t i n g o f m a n y a i r c r a ft ,
'n'JiHr'*
C u b a n e i g h t w i t h t h e s e c o n ds h i p f l y i n g
inverted, a Cuban eight together with
an inverted crossover,an inverted roll,
slow roll in formation, f light toward the
crowd with a crossover and a double
roll bv both aircraft. Then the team
does a right-side-up/invertedclose for-
mation where the tiny wingtip of the se-
cond Cricket is from three to five feet
from the T-tail of the lead aircraft.
"We don't recommend
this for begin-
ners," explained Lelaie."Low-speed,in-
v e r t e d f l i g h t i s d i f f i c u l t b e c a u s eo f t h e
limited power. We would like a little
more forward stick to handle the vortex
from the lead aircraft. Our teamwork
differs from the 'French Connection'
load
;;, that flies almost canop
canopy - we give ourserves a
n e g a t i v e ,b u t t h a t ' s t h e p o i n t a t w h i c h more room!"
the airframewill break.No permanent The CriCris wlll fly inverted
deformation takes place below 6 C's, definitely because of the two-c
so we make every effort not to exceed engines that combine fuel and
5 C's in our shows." through a membrane carburetor
Their airshow routine includes r a t i o o f 4 O : 1 ." Y o u c a n f l y a l o n l
takeoff at65-70mphwith a climbof 80 vertedjustas long as you want -
mph. They do all flights with full fuel you get tired of it," explained
four to six gallons! Usually "Les Porthos."
Porthos" take off during a lull in the The two demonstration Cric
preceding act and climbs to altitude were built in France by homebuil
away from the airport. When it is their under approval of the French EAA
turn to come "on stage," they enter at Reseaudu Sport de L'Air (RSA).
1300 feet, dive to 155 mph indicated The first Cricket to be built in N

ffi. '-*t
::Hf#,tri:*fr,{*liill
m o d e l so f t h e t i n v h o m e b u i l t i n d e m o n -
ffiffi
, :\.'\i'{ ' ,'' '}***i*;
strations.Actual|y,thepairhadon|y10wj\,.'.\:':l:;.''']';l.'l'''.T'.:i]]

ril:Ji"?:1:':';"i::''";";il1::l::
w',.
smoke system was planned, but the ;\*r ffii *x;y1p1;;**i'',-.5, ,-V\\o^ r, l#'ti{i
p y r o t e c h n i c sc o u l d n o t b e a i r - s h i p p e d
', r*11'*'f[T;
along with the aircraft. !$,, , :,, '
Claude Lelaie is 34 and has 5000 :$rl,; .'r
'
hours of f light time, while Denis : +1 *t11

w'H' 'lnffi".
Legrand is four years younger and has u SriW*;;j;

fft
:::li"';:?lTl,':Jl'::"'l':,':ilil
l i g h t w e i g h t ,t i p p i n g t h e s c a l e s a t 1 6 0
*#'":;,;llwl;,s01

and17opounds,respective|y,*fi..tffi.,i:u'*5..*.s:..l.*g;r-mw,:$g.'.N..;of]'.W
it i'i".",.r,''',,, n'.
parachute attached. Top allowable 'la.s*:
l-"".f .,,it' ,',t
pilottheCricket
is200 H-ffi'-'fnffiffi
;;;"X,r..
",;Y"",:1::,::,i;,
;::" iffi##liffi;*;*+;oll;*ffi -''"t=
ingveryctose
:::"#
to redtine
i:i i,:
or160mph,"' $$*$ffi$*ffiit$tt$ii liffiffiui+
expfained Legrand. "The aircraft are Plansshow the componentsof the Cricket(CriCriin French).The landinggearare
stressed for 9 C's positive and 4.5 C's laminations,
fiberglass/epoxy and the wingsare bonded.
cRlcRt
America will come from the Zenair
facility in Richmond Hill, Ontario,
Canada. John Pickard, Zenair produc-
tion manager for kits, was at the air-
show, closely inspecting the twins.
When Pickard, 6-feet-four-inches tall
and weighing 210 pounds, found that
he was just a little too tall and too hef-
ty to close the canopy, he commented,
"You can bet
that l'll build one for
myself that's big enough!" At six-feet-
two and 190 pounds - and relatively
short-waisted I was able to shoe-
horn into the cockpit without a 'chute
and get the canopy closed, so when
o n e i s a v a i l a b l e ,I ' w a n t t o f l y i t !
The French designer and both air-
show pilots report little or no adverse
yaw when one engine is shut down.
This phenomenon is caused by the
close-in mounting of the enginesto the
aircraft centerline and the propeller
slipstreamas it is def lected by the large
canopy. Colomban explains: "This
automatically creates an incidence on
the vertical tail that compensates for
the asymetric thrust on one engine.
Power is provided by twin 12-hp Swedishsnowmobile Valmet
engines,enablingthe Cricketto havea 127-mphcruise.
lnside the Cricket cockpit, note the twin throttlesat /eft and the
molded tuel tank under the pilot's legs.Thereis room for a single
radio under the panel.
Single.enginerate of climb.is reported
at 180 f pm. At the time of the Oshkosh
demonstrations, the new homebuilts
had notyet been stalled inverted. Pilots
estimate an inverted stall speed with
flaps retracted of about 65 mph.
The French air show pilots reported
that the CriCri is very.easy to f ly. "Any
n o r m a l p i l o t c a n f l y i t e a s i l y .T h e r e a r e
no bad habits," they explained. "Aero.
batics should be eipproachedcautious-
ly so as not to exceed the redline
speed."
D u r i n g t h e f i r s t f l i g h t so f t h e C r i c k e t
in this country, there was some ques-
tion of whether or not the FAA would
require a multi-engine rating to fly this
tiny homebuilt. The French pilots felt
that this additional rating would prob-
ably not be necessary,but they were
not sure. Zenair will have this minor
piece of paper work resolved before
the f irst kits are shipped.
DesignerColomban, an ex-model air-
plane fan, designed the Cricket as a
simple, easy-to-buildsingle-seaterthat
w o u l d c a r r y 1 8 0 p o u n d so f p i l o t a n d 3 5
pounds of fuel with efficiency. His
original prototype was designed for
wood and fabric, but he soon. found
that sheet metal was more satisfactory.
When he was unable to find a suitable
24-hp engine, he settled for the two
c h a i n s a wp o w e r p l a n t s .
The fuselage is a simple "-square
box" made from sheet metal and
doublers. The cross-section is rec-
t a n g u l a r w i t h f o u r s i n g l e - c u r v e dp a n e l s
with rigid f oam stiffeners that are
blind-riveted to four angle members.
Loads from the wing, pilot, gear. and
engines are carried through bent metal
bulkheads. The rear section of the
fuselage has two straight sides blind-
riveted to two sheets with bent edges.
Original constructionwas with Abdol
aluminumblind rivets.
The T-tail has two hinged bearingsat
t h e t i p o f t h e f i n s p a r . C o n s t r u c t i o ni s
out of a singlepiece of aluminum and
no trim tab. The T-tail was selected to
a v o i d d a m a g e i n g r o u n d h a n d l i n g ,f o r
ease in construction and to make the
aircraft easier to fit into its hangar-
trailer.
The wing has a newly developed air-
f oil with constant chord. There is
d i h e d r a l o f 4 d e g r e e sa n d t w i s t o f 1 . 5
 Thecricketdr"* a greatdeat"i ittAri"o.;rr,Ot'rr[uit;,.iA;##liiy
since it alrnbit qu'alifies,.,,al
an,u{ria .f.i.gi.4ffii.it$uiiiF...#.fi#i$
proposedrules. '1,
,

degrees.The spar construction is of

aluminum sections riveted together.
Thirty-two rigid foam ribs are bonded
CRICKET
MCI2
PIRFORMANCI
a t 6 - i n c h i n t e r v a l st o t h e s p a r .E a c h r i b S t a l l ,f l a p s d o w n : 4 2 m p h
i s r e p o r t e dt o b e s t r o n g e n o u g h t o s u p - Takeoff roll: 480 ft at S.L.
p o r t t h e a i r c r a f t ' sw e i g h t . T h e t h i n w i n g 600 ft at 3000 ft
skins are metal bonded to the rear rib 850 ft at 6000 ft
Rate of climb: 850 fprn at S.L.
s k e l e t o n , w i t h t h e n e c e s s a r yp r e s s u r e 700 fpm at 3000 ft
s u p p l i e d b y e n c l o s i n gt h e w i n g i n a 500 fpm at 6000 ft
s e a l e dv i n y l b a g a n d h o o k i n g i t u p t o a C e i l i n g :1 3 , 0 0 0f t
h o u s e h o l dv a c u u m c l e a n e r . M a x . l e v e l s p e e d :1 2 7 m p h
C r u i s es p e e d :1 1 0 m p h
There is no internal svstem within
R e d l i n e :1 6 0 m p h
t h e w i n g . T h e f o u r f l a p / a i l e r o ns u p p o r t R a n g e( c r u i s e ) 4: h r s - 4 5 0 m i
arms are bolted to the trailing edge of Rate of roll: 180 deg/sec
the wing so that the hinges provide SPECIFICATIONS DesignerMichel Colomban,g/asses, works
a l m o s t n o d i s t u r b a n c et o t h e a i r f l o w . Wingspan1 : 6 ft on one of hisshipsas airshowpilot Denis
T h e m a i n g e a r i s a s i n g l es p r i n ga t - L e n g t h :1 2 f t 1 0 i n Legrandlendsa hand.
W i n g a r e a :3 4 s q . f t
t a c h e d t o t h e f u s e l a g ew i t h f o u r r u b b e r just to accommodate six-foot-three-
Aspect ratio:7.8
d o n u t s . T h e n o s e g e a r i s s t e e r a b l ea n d E m p t y w e i g h t :1 6 0 l b s inch pilots.
c o n s t r u c t e dw i t h t w o t u b e s - o n e i n - C r o s sw e i g h t : 3 8 0 l b s The 12-hp Valmet enginesare two
W i n g l o a d i n g :- 1 1 . 2p s f
s t a l l e dw i t h i n t h e o t h e r - a n d r u b b e r cycle, 'l50cc at 6500 rpm, each
b u n g e e sf o r s h o c k a b s o r b i n g .T u r n i n g Powerplant:2x24hp
P r o p e l l e r sf:i x e d p i t c h w e i g h i n g o n l y 1 6 p o u n d s .T h e V a l m e t
r a d i u si s 1 4 f e e t . W h e e l s a r e 3 . 0 0x 3 . F u e l :6 U S g a l s 3 5 l b s has a history of over 1500 hours at
and there are brakes on the main S t r e s sF: A R 2 3 ; + 9 C , - 4 . 5 C l G h p c r u i s e .T h e e n g i n e sa r e m o u n t e d
wheels. on a special patented welded steel
Elevatorcontrol is with a push-pull i n t e r c o n n e c tt u b e t h a t t r a n s m i t sv i b r a -
rod and artificial feel from a rubber flaps have short push-pull rods con- tion from one engine to the other, ef-
b u n g e ec o n n e c t e dt o t h e t r i m t a b . T h e trolled through a mixer and a quick- fectively dampening the movement.
designersays that this system avoids r e l e a s eb a l l j o i n t t o t h e i n b o a r d e n d s o f T h e c o m p o s i t e p r o p e l l e r sa r e 2 7 i n c h e s
the "overloose" feeling so common t h e c o n t r o l s u r f a c e s .R u d d e r sa r e c o n - in diameter. A four-to-six-gallon
among lightweight aircraft. Aileron/ ventional with cables.The pedals ad- f i b e r g l a s sf u e l t a n k i s m o u n t e d i n t h e
cRtcRl LEFT:Does anyonehavea shoehorn?The
6foot-2-inch author easesinto the cockpit.
RICHT:Evenwith a 190-poundpilof, the
canopy closeswith room to spare.

f u s e l a g eu n d e r t h e p i l o t ' s k n e e s .
PRICES
ANDoRDERtl{C
l1{F0 Zenair recommends purchase of
The Cricket package will have 42 draw- first served basis at a scheduled rate of their complete package to cut con-
i n g s , m o s t o f t h e m f u l l - s i z e d .Z e n a i r w i l l one kit per week. (Canopy, gear, instru- s t r u c t i o nt i m e t o u n d e r 6 0 0 h o u r s ;u s i n g
s u p p l y d r a w i n g s a n d p a c k a g e so f p a r t s i n ment and powerplant packages are your own raw materials, Zenair
the following order: scheduledfor Dec. 81).
estimates 1500 hours of construction
D r a w i n g s a n d M a n u a l s. . . . . . . . . . $ 1 5 0 Crating charges: $50 per package (990
Packages (Order in the following for simultaneous shipping of two t i m e . A l l s u r f a c e sa r e m a d e f r o m f l a t
sequence) p a c k a g e s ,$ 1 2 0 f o r t h r e e p a c k a g e s o r a stock with simple curves - no com-
Tail (Horizontal and Vertical) .$378 complete kit.) Or pick up yourself (by plex cutouts or access doors.
Wings (The spar is completely qppointment) and save the crating and The 32 rigid foam wing ribsare iden-
builtandriveted) ...$987 s h i p p i n g c h a r g e s .A l l s h i p p i n g c h a r g e s
FlapslAilerons $131
tical. Each panel is only 81/z teet long
are COD.
Fuselagestructure ....$773 ( i n c l u d i n g t h e s p a r c a r r y t h r o u g hs t r u c -
Controlpackage .....$369 Zenai'r Atlanta (S.E.- USA) ture). Fuselagesections are 6 feet long.
Canopypackage .....$317 Plant: 3349-8Thompson Bridge Rd. As plans and kits become available
Complete gear package,(springs, C a i n e s v i l l e ,C A f o r t h e w o r l d ' s s m a l l e s tt w i n , i t w i l l b e
w h e e l s , a x l e s ,f a i r i n g s , Tel: (404) 536-8099
brakes,etc.).. .....$694 Mail: Route 12 Box 72O
interestingto see just how many home-
Instrumentpackagefor twin $416 , C a i n e s v i l l e .C A 3 0 5 0 1 builders want to spend the time and
Or save by ordering the complete B i l l M i l l e r ( 4 0 4 )5 3 6 - 1 1 5 6 m o n e y f o r a s o l o , o n l yt w i n . C o l o m b a n
kit package $3857 points out that the cost of raw
Twin Powerplant Package Zenair Seattle (West- USA)
C o m p l e t e w i t h e n g i n e s ,p r o p s , s p i n n e r s
materials is directly proportional to the
606 S.W. 302nd
- e x h a u s t ,f u e l s y s t e m . . . .$1981 Federal Way, WA 98003 aircraft's weight. The Cricket weighs
Pricesare in U.S. currency and FOB plant Ron Eckhardt (206) 839-0848 21/zto three times lessthan the average
Local residentsadd the sa/es tax. single-seaterof comparable perform-
Prices subject to change without notice. Zenair [td. (Canada & Overseas)
a n c e . S p e c i fi c a t i o n s c a l l f o r a r a n g e o f
Plant: 25 King Road
Ordering Procedure: Nobleton, Ontario
4 5 0 m i l e s o n s i x g a l l o n so f f u e l ; i . e . , 7 5
Plans: Comp'lete the order sheet in the C e r r y B o u d r e a u ( 4 1 6 )8 5 9 - 4 5 5 6 mph.
information manual and mail with your Head The tiny ship has full twin-engine
payment. Delivery will start Oct. 81 (add
Off ice: 236 Richmond Street reliability. Besides,it's different. lt's
$2 for aiimail) R i c h m o n dH i l l ,
s m a fl e n o u g h t o b e c a l l e d " c u t e " ; . i t ' s
P a c k a g e s :C e r t i f i e d c h e c k f r o m U . S . o r Ontario L4C 3YB
Canadian Bank: 5oo/o with order Chris Heintz (416) 884-9044 clean, performs well and puts on one
balance before shipping upon notice O u r p l a n t s a r e o p e n t o v i s i t o r s1 0 : 0 0 a m helluvan aerobatic show. The new
that the crate is ready to be shipped. to noon during the Saturday Zenair Cricket may very well become a
Delivery starts Nov. 81 on a f irst-ordered, Workshops,or by appointment. popular homebuilt project and airshow
stopper.