Luscombe 8 Silvaire
Luscombe · piston, 1 engine · ICAO L8
The Luscombe 8 Silvaire has the third-shortest length and the third-highest wingspan-to-length ratio of the 364 types on this site, and the joint third-lowest FAA reference approach speed of the 364 types on this site (the input for its Approach Category).
Airport design codes
- I
Design Group I. Set by wingspan and tail height alike.
- A
Approach Category A. From its FAA reference approach speed of 46 kt (band under 91 kt).
Gear and weights
| Cockpit to main gear | 15.0 ft | 4.6 m |
|---|---|---|
| Span-to-length ratio | 1.75 | |
| Max. takeoff weight | 1,400 lb | 635 kg |
| Max. landing weight | 1,400 lb | 635 kg |
| Main gear code | S | |
| Taxiway Design Group | 1A | |
| ICAO wake category | Light |
Where it sits
By length it falls between the Piper PA-20 Pacer and the Van’s RV-12.
Main gear 7.2 ft wide (2.2 m), 21% of the span; wheelbase 15.0 ft (4.6 m), 75% of the length.
US records: 32 US flight-plan operations in FY2024; 1,670 on the US register.
Closest in size on this site
- Luscombe 8 Silvaire
- Cessna 120
- Cessna 140
- Aeronca 11 Chief
How each one differs from the Luscombe 8 Silvaire
| Type | Wingspan | Length | Tail height | Max. takeoff weight | Codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 120 | −1.7 ft | +1.5 ft | same | +7% | I-A |
| Cessna 140 | −1.7 ft | +1.5 ft | same | +7% | I-A |
| Aeronca 11 Chief | +1.0 ft | +0.8 ft | +0.5 ft | −11% | I-A |
Source: FAA Aircraft Characteristics Database, October 2024 release, a U.S. Government work in the public domain. Ranks, differences and comparisons computed by aircraftdimensions.online. How we measure.