Piel Cp-13 Emeraude

Single Piston

The Piel CP-13 Emeraude is a classic French light aircraft design that became one of Europe's most popular homebuilt projects in the postwar era. Designed by Claude Piel in the early 1950s, the Emeraude (French for "emerald") is a two-seat, low-wing monoplane with side-by-side seating and conventional tailwheel landing gear. Its elegant lines and docile handling made it a favorite among amateur builders across France and the United Kingdom, where it earned a reputation as an affordable entry into recreational flying. The design was also produced under license by several manufacturers, including Scintex in France, which offered factory-built versions alongside plans for homebuilders. Powered typically by Continental or Lycoming engines in the 65 to 90 horsepower range, the CP-13 cruises comfortably around 100 knots with a range of approximately 400 nautical miles. Its wooden construction and fabric covering reflect the traditional building techniques of its era, and many examples remain airworthy today thanks to dedicated owner-maintainers who appreciate its straightforward engineering and pleasant flying characteristics. The type's enduring presence in European skies speaks to the quality of Piel's original design and the loyalty of the homebuilt community. SkyMeter has tracked 6 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with unique routes observed.