Aircraft

PICTURES & VIDEO: Jodel's Mousquetaire celebrates 50 years since its first flight today

By Barbara Cockburn

 

The Mousquetaire D-140 flew for the first time 50 years ago today. Built by the Jodel company, the aircraft has fixed gear and can have skis attached and is ideal for mountain flying.

© Flight/Barbara Cockburn This model is based at Megève Altiport in the French Alps

Pilot and flying instructor Bruno Müller at Megève's Altiport (airport at altitude) says: "It's good for mountain flying because it has very strong wings which are bent up at the end to give it added stability, it has a stick control which is very responsive. It has very good short take off and landing (STOL) capabilities."

It has a fuel upload of 215 litres giving ithe aircraft an endurance of approximately 5hrs, and according Müller it can fly up to 15,000ft.

 

© Flight/Barbara Cockburn The cockpit with stick control

This video shows a Mousquetaire taking off from Megève's Altiport.