ExperimentalESCelera 500L
The revolutionary Celera 500L aircraft, with its bullet-like design, offers exceptional fuel efficiency (9-13 L/100km), low operating costs, and 8300 km range.

The CCW-5, the final model from the Custer Channel Wing family by American designer Willard R. Custer, made its maiden flight on July 13, 1953. This experimental aircraft was built using the fuselage and tail section of a Baumann Brigadier, a light twin-engine passenger plane powered by 225 hp Continental O-470 engines.
The effectiveness of lift generation in the semi-circular channel wings of this aircraft was significantly reduced. This was due to the incorporation of sizable traditional wing consoles, which alone could have provided flight for the aircraft even without the semi-annular sections.
Despite this design choice, the CCW-5, with its combination of traditional and channel wings, demonstrated very impressive low-speed flight capabilities and exceptionally high maneuverability. A single ‘production’ model was released in 1964, but no further orders were received, leading to the discontinuation of all work on the project.
| Modification | CСW-5 |
| Wingspan, m | 12.55 |
| Length, m | 8.75 |
| Height, m | 3.30 |
| Empty weight | 1667 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 2449 |
| Engine type | 2 Piston engines Continental O-470 |
| Power, hp | 2 x 225 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 322 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 290 |
| Practical range, km | 1850 |
| Service ceiling, m | 6705 |
| Crew, crew members | 1 |
| Payload | up to 4 passengers |
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A group of aviation researchers and enthusiasts dedicated to documenting and preserving global aeronautical history. All articles are reviewed to ensure historical accuracy.
The information presented in this technical sheet has been compiled from declassified flight manuals, historical archives, and specialized literature. While we strive for maximum accuracy, some performance data may vary depending on the specific variant or operational conditions.
ExperimentalESThe revolutionary Celera 500L aircraft, with its bullet-like design, offers exceptional fuel efficiency (9-13 L/100km), low operating costs, and 8300 km range.
ExperimentalESExplore Willard Custer's innovative Channel Wing, an American aviation concept generating static lift. Learn about the experimental CCW-1 and CCW-2 prototypes.