LH Aviation

About LH Aviation

LH Aviation was a French aircraft manufacturer established in 2004 by Sébastien Lefebvre and Frédéric Hubschwerlenson. The company was located in Melun-Villaroche, France, and specialized in the design and production of ultralight, two-seater aircraft constructed from carbon fiber. The business focused on serving both military and civilian clients, offering aircraft for surveillance, pilot training, and military applications. Revenue was generated through the direct sale of these specialized aircraft.

The company's flagship product was the LH-10 Ellipse, a tandem-seat, low-wing aircraft with a pusher-propeller configuration. This design, combined with its lightweight composite construction, was engineered to provide high cruise speeds and exceptional fuel efficiency. A key feature of the LH-10 was its modularity, allowing it to be reconfigured for different missions in under an hour. The aircraft was noted for its HOTAS (Hands On Throttle-And-Stick) control system and a cockpit that offered a wide field of view. Variants of the LH-10 included the Guardian for surveillance missions and the Elfe for military use. The company also developed the LH-D, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based on the LH-10 airframe.

Significant milestones for LH Aviation included the first flight of the LH-10 prototype in September 2007 and its showcase at the Paris Air Show in 2009. The company secured operational backing from the Aeronautic Investment Fund Magellan Industries in June 2010. Over the years, LH Aviation delivered aircraft to clients such as the Benin Air Force for coastal surveillance. However, the company faced financial difficulties, leading to its placement in recovery in 2018 and eventual judicial liquidation in September 2019. The company's assets were subsequently acquired by the I-SEE Group.