09/30/2014. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Albert Gatard of St. Jean d'Angely near Rochefort, France, developed a new control system for aeroplanes, which involved the use of a variable incidence lifting tail plane of large area. Instead of altering the wing angle of attack to increase lift on the aircraft, the pilot lowers full-span slotted flaps and adjusts the tail plane to maintain pitching balance. In consequence, the aircraft climb with the fuselage incidence at no more than 4° to the horizontal, which preserves a good forward view and low body drag. Over the years Gatard designed a number of aircraft incorporating his ideas, including his control system which he named Statoplan.

Gatard Statoplan AG-01 L'Alouette (Johan Visschedijk Collection)

Gatard Statoplan AG-01 L'Alouette (Johan Visschedijk Collection)

1951. Gatard Statoplan AG 01 L'Alouette (Lark) F-WFDA c/n 01 (became F-PFDA on May 12, 1953)
1957. Gatard Statoplan AG 02 Le Poussin (Chicken) F-WHUO c/n 01 (became F-PHUO on August 23, 1957)
1957.  A second Le Poussin was built by Gatard in 1960, F-WJGP c/n 2 (became F-PJGP on January 17, 1962)
1958. Gatard Statoplan AG 03 Hirondelle (Swallow), not built
1976. Gatard Statoplan AG 04 Pigeon (Dove) F-WYBB c/n 01 (became F-PYBB on February 8, 1977)
19??. Gatard Statoplan AG 05 Mésange (Tomtit), design had started by spring 1969, not built or completed.

Albert Gatard passed away on January 19, 1988, remarkably, all four aircraft built by Gatard are still registered.

The AG 02s was the basic model of which Gatard built the first two examples, both with a 24 hp VW1200 engine. The first flights took place in 1957 en 1960 respectively and one example was tested by the CEV (Centre d'Essais en Vol), resulting in the findings that 35 to 40 hp engines were best suited. Several aircraft were completed by amateur constructors under the AG-02 designation.
The AG 02CR was the designation for an aircraft built by Christian Raymond (hence the CR-suffix) with many modifications, such as a Jodel D18 landing gear, re-contoured fuselage lines, a refined wing of reduced span and fitted with a 40 to 45 hp VW1600 engine. This aircraft was first flown on July 13, 1988, and the reduced wingspan in combination with the more powerful engine resulted in an increased overall performance.
The AG 02Sp was an improved model available for amateur construction and suited engines up to 35 to 40 hp. This model had more rounded wing tips, a modified vertical tail, increased operating weights, inset ailerons and had limited aerobatic capabilities. Several were built in France.
The AG 02T was an aircraft with a tricycle type landing gear built by Georges Farrigoux (hence also referred to as the GF 02T. It was first flown in 1969, however, reportedly it was modified to become a standard AG 02 during the 1980s.