SIAI-Marchetti S-205/208

Italy

Four seat light aircraft

SIAI-Marchetti intended that this series of four seat light aircraft would provide it with a re-entry into the GA market. When SIAI-Marchetti began work on the S-205, a modern four seat light aircraft design, in the mid '60s, the company intended to develop a series of aircraft with various powerplant and other options, such as retractable undercarriage and constant speed propellers. To this end the company was modestly successful, with several hundred S-205s and larger S-208s built, with most sold to European customers. The first of three S-205 prototypes flew for the first time during 1965. This initial aircraft was powered by a 135kW (180hp) Lycoming O-360 and featured a fixed undercarriage. In production it became the S-205-18F (18 for 180hp, F for fixed undercarriage). The first production S-205-18F flew in February 1966 and deliveries commenced later that year. The model lineup was expanded to include the 150kW (200hp) fuel injected IO-360 powered and higher max takeoff weight S-205-20F, and the retractable undercarriage S-205-18R and S-205-20R. The most powerful member of the S-205 family was the S-205-22R. This aircraft was powered by a 165kW (220hp) Franklin 6A-350-C1 flat six and was also assembled in the USA by Waco as the four seat S-220 Sirius and five seat S-220-5 Vela. Production of the S-205 initially ceased in 1975, although SIAI-Marchetti returned the S-205-20R to production from 1977 until 1980 to meet an order for 140 for the Italian Aero Club. The S-208 is based on the S-205 but has a larger cabin with seating for five. First flown in 1968, it is powered by a 195kW (260hp) Lycoming O-540 and has retractable undercarriage, a third cabin window per side, optional tip tanks and strengthened structure. Deliveries commenced in 1968, and 44 were built for the Italian air force as S-208M. Production closed in 1975 and then resumed in 1977 alongside the S-205-20R until finally ceasing in 1980. International Directory of Civil Aircraft

S-205-20 - One 150kW (200hp) Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D fuel injected flat four piston engine driving a two blade constant speed propeller. S-208 - One 185kW (260hp) Lycoming O-540-E4A5 flat six.

S-205-20 - Max speed 270km/h (146kt), max cruising speed 250km/h (136kt), normal cruising speed 243km/h (131kt). Initial rate of climb 826ft/min. Service ceiling 15,575ft. Range 1260km (680nm). S-208 - Max speed 320km/h (173kt), max cruising speed 300km/h (162kt). Initial rate of climb 985ft/min. Service ceiling 17,725ft. Range with tip tanks 1800km (970nm).

S-205-20 - Empty 760kg (1677lb), max takeoff 1300kg (2865lb). S-208 - Empty 827kg (1823lb), max takeoff 1500kg (3307lb).

S-205-20 - Wing span 10.86m (35ft 8in), length 8.00m (26ft 3in), height 2.89m (9ft 6in). Wing area 16.1m2 (173sq ft). S-208 - Same except span over tip tanks 11.23m (36ft 10in), length 8.09m (26ft 7in).

Typical seating for four in S-205, up to five in S-208.

Approx 620 S-205s, including 62 S-220 Sirius and Vela assembled by Waco in the USA. Approx 120 S-208s built, including 40 for the Italian air force as S-208M.

SIAI-Marchetti S-205/208