NEWSLETTER APRIL 2025
Our Customers, their aircraft…
Freedom at any cost!
He discovered MCRs in 2013 while scouting for the “Bleu Ciel” flight team, notably with Dorine Bourneton and Guillaume Féral, who, like him, are paraplegic pilots. Impressed by the MCR-4S, its performance, flight qualities and design, Philippe purchased one in 2020. Built in 2008 in Darois, the MCR-4S s.n. 114, registered F-PSOL and powered by a Rotax 914UL (115hp) engine, had only 600 hours of flight time before it was purchased by Philippe and added to the fleet of the Perpignan flying club “Base Latécoère Catalane” (LFMP).
In terms of avionics, in addition to basic instruments, the cockpit features a Dynon D10A EFIS, a Garmin 420 GPS, an EMS, ADSB in/out and a 2-axis autopilot.
With a 200-litre fuel tank, the F-PSOL has a long range, allowing its pilot to make a return trip from Perpignan to Paris (and back with plenty of fuel to spare) in complete safety. Speaking of safety, in addition to its airframe parachute, in 2021, Philippe wanted his aircraft to be equipped with our new flap control system, which is more reliable and safer.
Finally, and of course, this MCR-4S Evolution is equipped with a “malonnier”, a mechanism that allows the aircraft to be controlled on all three axis using only the hands. Philippe Carette built this device for his MCR himself. It took 18 months to complete. Furthermore, this system, which has been inspected and approved by the DGAC (French aviation authority) is removable. Philippe’s malonnier can be connected and disconnected from the cockpit with remarkable ease.
Today, F-PSOL has clocked up 1,200 hours of flight time, and its pilot claims to have regained the freedom that his legs had taken away from him. The freedom to travel with his wife and daughter to Brittany, Mont Blanc, Corsica, but also to England, Italy, Switzerland and Spain.
With his MCR-4S, Philippe also has the freedom to be a flight instructor at the “Base Latécoère Catalane” flying club. Set up in the co-pilot’s seat of his MCR-4S, Philippe ensures that the “malonnier” does not interfere with the students’ piloting in any way.
Among the flights that stand out in his memory is when he had the opportunity to fly with Elisabeth Heilmeyer, a paraplegic pilot who fought for 20 years with her association “Las sillas Voladoras” to ensure that disabled pilots in Spain had the same rights as pilots in France.
On that day, Philippe and Elisabeth flew over the Alps with particularly nice flying conditions: “We flew around Mont Blanc. The light was truly beautiful and the air was unusually calm. We felt as if we were suspended in the air, listening to the peaceful hum of the Rotax engine. The flight was dreamlike. Unforgettable!” recalls Philippe.
Finally, it should be mentioned that Philippe’s plane also gives him the freedom to take part in “handivols” fly-in events. He will be attending the next two: one organised by the disabled pilots’ committee of the Aéroclub de France in Villefranche-de-Rouergue (LFCV) on 24 and 25 May, and “Cap Envol” in Barcelonnette (LFMR) from 22 to 28 June.
If you see him, don’t hesitate to go and chat with him. He’ll tell you his story better than we can, and if, like him, you have a disability, he’ll be able to advise you and even give you the plans for his hang glider so that you too can rediscover the Freedom of flight…
Happy flying, Philippe! And thank you for everything you do.
When Philippe speaks about his MCR-4S
I particularly like this aircraft for its performance, fuel efficiency and ease of handling. I am also proud to have paved the way for the certification of an MCR with a “malonnier”. What’s more, for someone with a disability like me, the MCR-4S is easier to board than other aircraft, and the rear seats are wide enough to accommodate my wheelchair. Likewise, the fuel tank is easy for me to access. With a Cessna, it is impossible.
If an aeroclub with an MCR wants to welcome and train a paraplegic pilot, I would be happy to help them with the retrofitting process. As for SE Aviation Aircraft, the after-sales service is exceptional! The staff are responsive, parts are well referenced and delivery times are reasonable. They are professional and reassuring for current operations, and the projects in the pipeline are very promising. When the next engine retrofit takes place, they will offer MCRs a cutting-edge upgrade in terms of environmental performance and efficiency.
WHAT IS NEW AT SE AVIATION AIRCRAFT?
DRIADE is currently being assembled at SE Aviation Aircraft
That’s it! It’s here! We are, of course, talking about DRIADE, our Drone for Reconnaissance and Intervention Autonomous for Defence and the Environment.
You will have to wait until the 2025 Paris Air Show to discover our drone…
Indeed, after being engineered by our team and manufactured at our factory in Portugal, the carbon fibre components for the wings and fuselage have arrived at SE Aviation Aircraft. Construction is already well underway. The engine, electrical and electronic systems are also being installed.
In addition, the DRIADE control station is almost ready. It will host two pilot stations and a drone. Work has been progressing, and we are pleased to announce that DRIADE will make its maiden flight this summer.
From 16 to 22 June, SE Aviation Aircraft will be at the Paris Air Show to present DRIADE. Read more about it soon…
