Cantas

The Cantas is a versatile light‑sport aircraft developed by the Czechoslovak Group (CSG) in the early 2020s as part of the company’s expansion into civil aviation. Drawing on CSG’s extensive experience in defense and aerospace manufacturing, the program began in 2019 with a design team that combined former aeronautical engineers from the former Aero Vodochody and modern aerospace specialists. First flight tests were completed in late 2021, and the aircraft entered limited production in 2023, quickly gaining certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and several non‑European authorities.

Key features of the Cantas include a carbon‑fiber‑reinforced airframe, a low‑drag laminar‑flow wing, and a modern 180‑horsepower Rotax 915 iS engine paired with a full‑digital avionics suite. The aircraft supports both fixed‑gear and retractable‑gear configurations, offers a spacious two‑seat side‑by‑side cockpit, and incorporates a ballistic‑recovery parachute system for enhanced safety. Its fuel‑efficient design provides a range of over 800 km and a cruise speed of 260 km/h, making it competitive in training, recreational, and light‑utility roles.

The Cantas has become a benchmark for Eastern‑European light‑sport aircraft, demonstrating CSG’s ability to transition from military platforms to high‑quality civilian products. Its success has broadened the group’s market presence, contributed to regional aerospace employment, and reinforced Europe’s growing ecosystem of modern, cost‑effective general‑aviation aircraft.