Saphir Aircraft Saphir

Single Piston

The Saphir is a French light sport and homebuilt aircraft developed by Saphir Aircraft, designed for recreational flying and pilot training in the European ultralight and CS-23 categories. First flown in the early 2000s, the single-engine, low-wing design emphasizes docile handling characteristics and efficient cross-country performance, with a typical cruise speed around 120 knots and a range exceeding 600 nautical miles on internal fuel. The aircraft features a composite airframe construction, side-by-side seating for two, and a choice of Rotax or Lycoming powerplants depending on builder preference and certification path. While not widely known outside European sport aviation circles, the Saphir represents the modern generation of capable, affordable light aircraft that bridge the gap between traditional ultralights and certified general aviation singles. Its clean aerodynamic design and relatively high cruise speed make it competitive with factory-built light sport aircraft, while its kit-build option appeals to owner-builders seeking a capable cross-country platform. SkyMeter has tracked 1 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, spanning routes.