Mudry-Aviation Cap.10b [in english]

The Mudry CAP-10 (CAP for Coopérative des Ateliers Aéronautiques de la Région Parisienne/ Parisian Aeronautical Industries Corporation) made its first flight in August 1968. It is derived from the Piel Emeraude twin-seater designed by Auguste Mudry. The pilots are seated side-by-side under a one-piece canopy. The Cap.10B is motorized with an Avco Lycoming AEOI-360-B2F of 134kw at 4 cylinders which runs a Hoffman twin-bladed propeller. The airframe can take between +6 and -4,5 G. Studies and evaluations lasted until September 1970, and then, the production started (characterized by a streched rudder and a ventral fin). Right from its appearance, the plane was successful and was therefore tested by the French Air Force. By mid-1980, 225 Cap.10s and Cap.10Ss had been delivered to some 20 customers across the World. This uncludes, the French Air Force which ordered fifty examples and the French Navy six. The first aircraft were used by the École de Voltige Aérienne de Salon-de-Provence, the École des Moniteurs at Clermont-Ferrand and the Groupement-École 315 at Cognac. Few Cap.10s are still in use with the Mexican Air Force (20 planes) at Zapopan and the Moroccan Air Force.

The Section d'Initiation au Vol (1979-1985)

In 1975, the Section d'Initiation au Vol (S.I.V./ Initiation into Flight Section) was created at N.A.S. Fréjus-Saint-Raphaël. Directly attached to the C.P.A.N. (Cours Préparatoire de l'Aéronautique Navale/ Naval Aviation Prep Course), it provided the initiation and the selection of C.P.A.N.' students, who were candidates to become pilots, during some twenty flight hours. First, it operated MS-880 Rallyes, then the eight Cap.10Bs (N°107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 212, 213 and 215) acquired, definitively replaced them in 1981. The unit moved to N.A.S. Rochefort in 1983 and became 51.S E.I.P. (École d'Initiation au Pilotage/ Initiation into Flight School) on March 1st 1985.

51.S E.I.P. flight (1985-1996)
From March 1985, once again, Rallyes and Cap.10B lived under the same roof at Rochefort. Caps were mostly dedicated to initiation into flight and future French Navy pilots pre-selection while Rallyes were also at the 2nd Navy Command's disposal.

50.S E.I.P. flight (since 1996)

On August 30th 1996, Cap.10Bs joined the rest of MS-880 Rallye fleet within the 50.S, based at N.A.S. Lanvéoc-Poulmic while the 51.S flight was disbanded on the same day. From now on, there is a single flight providing future French Navy pilots selection which occurs in the following way :

1. E.O.P.A.N. 's (Élèves officiers pilotes de l'Aéronautique Navale/ Naval Aviation Pilot Officer Cadets) selection
Pre-selection :
études des dossiers civils
tests psychotechniques + entretien psychologique
tests d'anglais et sportifs
commission de présélection

Formation sol :
formation militaire et défense
sécurité
instruction anglais
instruction aéronautique
formation sportive

2. Initiation et évaluation des élèves de l'École Navale et de l'École Militaire de la Flotte
Initiation : découverte de l'environnement aéronautique initiation au pilotage de base
Évaluation : Juger la motivation et le potentiel en vol des éventuels candidats pour l'École de l'aéronautique navale.