SIAI-Marchetti
S.205/208 family
The SIAI‑Marchetti S.205 and its stretched variant, the S.208, form a small family of Italian light aircraft that emerged in the early 1960s. Developed by the historic SIAI‑Marchetti company, the S.205 first flew in 1962 as a four‑seat, low‑wing trainer and touring plane derived from the earlier S.200 and the French Morane‑Simonelli MS.560. Its all‑metal construction, tricycle landing gear and simple, reliable Lycoming O‑320 engine gave it excellent handling and low operating costs, making it popular with flight schools and private owners. In 1965 the manufacturer introduced the S.208, lengthening the fuselage to accommodate an additional passenger and fitting a more powerful Lycoming O‑360 engine, which boosted cruise speed to around 210 knots and improved climb performance. Both models featured generous baggage space, generous cockpit visibility and a sturdy airframe that could endure aerobatic maneuvers. Though production ceased in the late 1970s, the S.205/208 family left a lasting mark as one of the few European designs to successfully compete with American trainers like the Cessna 172. Today, well‑maintained examples still operate worldwide, cherished for their classic lines, dependable performance and the legacy of SIAI‑Marchetti’s post‑war innovation.
Classification
Dimensions
- Length
- 8 metre
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1965
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Manufacturer
- SIAI-Marchetti
- Wikidata ID
- Q1639132