The Groupe Latécoère is an aircraft company based in Toulouse

Toulouse

Toulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...

, France. Founded by Pierre-Georges Latécoère

Pierre-Georges Latécoère

Pierre-Georges Latécoère was a pioneer of aeronautics. Born in Bagnères-de-Bigorre, he studied in the École Centrale Paris and, after the First World War, started a business in aeronautics. He directed plants that made planes and opened the first airlines that operated from France to Africa and...

 in 1917, the company was known in the past particularly for its seaplanes. Today, the group is a major supplier of sections of aircraft fuselage and doors and is the second-largest European supplier of onboard electrical wire harnesses

Cable Harness

A cable harness, also known as a wire harness, cable assembly, wiring assembly or wiring loom,is a string of cables and/or wires which transmit informational signals or operating currents...

 and avionics

Avionics

Avionics are electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites and spacecraft.Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles...

 bays with its Latelec subsidiary company.

The group is currently a member of the CAC Small 90

CAC Small 90

The CAC Small is a stock market index used by the Paris Bourse. It is a small-cap index which represents all main-market French equities not included in the CAC 40, the CAC Next 20 or the CAC Mid 60. Together, these 4 indices make up the CAC All-Tradable...

, and participates in all segments of aeronautics: commercial aircraft with Airbus

Airbus

Airbus SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Blagnac, France, surburb of Toulouse, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners....

 and Boeing

Boeing

The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...

, regional planes with Embraer

Embraer

Embraer S.A. is a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate that produces commercial, military, and executive aircraft and provides aeronautical services....

 and Bombardier

Bombardier Aerospace

Bombardier Aerospace is a division of Bombardier Inc. and is the third-largest airplane manufacturer in the world. It is headquartered in Dorval, Quebec, Canada.- History :...

, business aircraft with Dassault Aviation

Dassault Aviation

Dassault Aviation is a French aircraft manufacturer of military, regional and business jets, a subsidiary of Dassault Group.It was founded in 1930 by Marcel Bloch as Société des Avions Marcel Bloch or "MB". After World War II, Marcel Bloch changed his name to Marcel Dassault, and the name of the...

, and military aircraft with Dassault and Airbus.

In 2000, Groupe Latécoère bought the Czech

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....

 aircraft company Letov Kbely

Letov Kbely

LETOV is an aircraft company located in Prague - Letňany, Czech Republic. It is the oldest aircraft company in the region.Letov was founded in 1918 by the Czechoslovakian Ministry of Defense to repair World War I trophy planes. The first indigenous aircraft, the Letov Š-1, was designed and built in...

.

In 2006, the group employed 3,412 people and its annual sales were worth €

Euro

The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...

432 million.

Aircraft products

• Latécoère 1
• Latécoère 2
• Latécoère 3
• Latécoère 4
  Latécoère 4
  The Latécoère 4 was a three-engined, 15-passenger biplane built in France in the early 1920's. It proved difficult to fly and was discontinued, though a second machine was completed as the Latécoère 5 bomber.-Development:...
  
  
• Latécoère 5
• Latécoère 6
  Latécoère 6
  -Cited sources:...
  
  
• Latécoère 7
• Latécoère 8
  Latécoère 8
  |-References:* * *...
  
  
• Latécoère 9*
• Latécoère 10*
• Latécoère 11*
• Latécoère 12*
• Latécoère 13*
• Latécoère 14
• Latécoère 15
  Latécoère 15
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Latécoère 16
• Latécoère 17
  Latécoère 17
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Latécoère 18
• Latécoère 19
• Latécoère 20*
• Latécoère 21
  Latécoère 21
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Latécoère 22
• Latécoère 23
• Latécoère 24
  Latécoère 24
  The Latécoère 24 was a French three-engined parasol winged flying boat, built in 1927 to test the longer stretches of the South Atlantic crossing. Trials showed that it was overweight and consequently performed below specification.-Design and development:...
  
  
• Latécoère 25
  Latécoère 25
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Latécoère 26
  Latécoère 26
  |-See also:...
  
  
• Latécoère 27*
• Latécoère 28
  Latécoère 28
  -See also:- External links :...
  
  
• Latécoère 29 (gros)*
• Latécoère 290
  Latécoère 290
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Latécoère 291
  Latécoère 290
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Latécoère 292
  Latécoère 290
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Latécoère 293
  Latécoère 290
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Latécoère 294
  Latécoère 290
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Latécoère 295
  Latécoère 290
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Latécoère 296
  Latécoère 290
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Latécoère 297
  Latécoère 290
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Latécoère 298
  Latécoère 298
  -References:* Green, William; War planes of the Second World War - Floatplanes - Volume six; MacDonald; ISBN 0-356-01450-9-External links:* http://avia.russian.ee/air/france/latecoere_l-298.php...
  
  
• Latécoère 299
• Latécoère 30*
• Latécoère 300
  Latécoère 300
  -See also:-External links:**...
  
  
• Latécoère 301
  Latécoère 300
  -See also:-External links:**...
  
  
• Latécoère 302
  Latécoère 300
  -See also:-External links:**...
  
  
• Latécoère 310*
• Latécoère 32
  Latécoère 32
  |-See also:-References:* Cuny, Jean. “Latécoère - Les Avions et Hydravions”.Paris. Docavia/Editions Lariviere. 1992. ISBN 2-90 70 51-01-6* Taylor, Michael J.H. . “ Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. Studio Editions. London. 1989. ISBN 0 517 69186 8...
  
  
• Latécoère 340
• Latécoère 350
• Latécoère 360*
• Latécoère 370*
• Latécoère 380
  Latécoère 380
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Latécoère 381
  Latécoère 380
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Latécoère 382
  Latécoère 380
  |-References:* *...
  
  *
• Latécoère 383
  Latécoère 380
  |-References:* *...
  
  *
• Latécoère 384
  Latécoère 380
  |-References:* *...
  
  *
• Latécoère 385
  Latécoère 380
  |-References:* *...
  
  *
• Latécoère 386
  Latécoère 380
  |-References:* *...
  
  *
• Latécoère 410*
• Latécoère 420*
• Latécoère 430*
• Latécoère 440
  Latécoère 440
  The Latécoère 440 was a single-engined, high-winged float plane built as a coastal defence aircraft for the French Navy in the early 1930s. Two were produced to contract but did not impress in tests and the Navy chose instead the Latécoère 290....
  
  
• Latécoère 441*
• Latécoère 442*
• Latécoère 443*
• Latécoère 460*
• Latécoère 470*
• Latécoère 480*
• Latécoère 490
  Latécoère 490
  -References:...
  
  
• Latécoère 491
  Latécoère 490
  -References:...
  
  
• Latécoère 492
  Latécoère 490
  -References:...
  
  *
• Latécoère 493
  Latécoère 490
  -References:...
  
  *
• Latécoère 500
  Latécoère 500
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Latécoère 501
  Latécoère 500
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Latécoère 502*
• Latécoère 503*
• Latécoère 510*
• Latécoère 520*
• Latécoère 521
  Latécoère 521
  |-See also:- External links :* * * Popular Science, February 1935* article on Air France with page on the 521* Popular Mechanics, April 1935, cutaway drawings pp.568-569...
  
   Lieutenant de Vaisseau Paris
• Latécoère 522
  Latécoère 521
  |-See also:- External links :* * * Popular Science, February 1935* article on Air France with page on the 521* Popular Mechanics, April 1935, cutaway drawings pp.568-569...
  
  
• Latécoère 523
  Latécoère 521
  |-See also:- External links :* * * Popular Science, February 1935* article on Air France with page on the 521* Popular Mechanics, April 1935, cutaway drawings pp.568-569...
  
  
• Latécoère 524*
• Latécoère 525*
• Latécoère 530*
• Latécoère 531*
• Latécoère 550
  Latécoère 550
  The Latécoère 550 was a four-engined French seaplane, designed in the early 1930s as a bomber/torpedo bomber. Though initial handling problems were partly resolved, the aircraft was deemed too slow and did not go into production.-Design and development:...
  
  
• Latécoère 560*
• Latécoère 570
• Latécoère 580*
• Latécoère 581*
• Latécoère 582
• Latécoère 583*
• Latécoère 590*
• Latécoère 600*
• Latécoère 601*
• Latécoère 602*
• Latécoère 610*
• Latécoère 611
  Latécoère 611
  |-See also:-External links:*...
  
  
• Latécoère 613*
• Latécoère 614*
• Latécoère 615*
• Latécoère 616*
• Latécoère 617*
• Latécoère 620*
• Latécoère 631
  Latécoère 631
  -Air France Accident:On the night of July 31, 1948 Latécoère 631 number 06 owned by Air France was flying from Fort-de-France to Port-Etienne in Mauritania when it disappeared in the Atlantic Ocean with the loss of all 52 on board. It is believed to have gone down around 1200 miles from Dakar in...
  
   Lionel de Marmier

aircraft marked * were projects only

Current products

• Airbus A330
  Airbus A330
  The Airbus A330 is a wide-body twin-engine jet airliner made by Airbus, a division of EADS. Versions of the A330 have a range of and can accommodate up to 335 passengers in a two-class layout or carry of cargo....
  
   A340
  Airbus A340
  The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engine wide-body commercial passenger jet airliner. Developed by Airbus Industrie,A consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. a consortium of European aerospace companies, which is...
  
   (mid-fuselage upper shell)
• Airbus A340/500-600
  Airbus A340
  The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engine wide-body commercial passenger jet airliner. Developed by Airbus Industrie,A consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. a consortium of European aerospace companies, which is...
  
   (mid-fuselage upper shell and lower nose section)
• Airbus A380
  Airbus A380
  The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by the European corporation Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS. It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. Due to its size, many airports had to modify and improve facilities to accommodate it...
  
   (passenger doors, bulk cargo doors and lower nose section)
• Airbus A320
  Airbus A320
  The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
  
   (passenger doors)
• Boeing 787
  Boeing 787
  The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-range, mid-size wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It seats 210 to 290 passengers, depending on the variant. Boeing states that it is the company's most fuel-efficient airliner and the world's first major airliner to use...
  
   (passenger doors)
• Bombardier CRJ 700/900
  Bombardier CRJ700
  The Bombardier CRJ700, CRJ900, and CRJ1000 are regional airliners based on the Bombardier CRJ200. Final assembly of the aircraft is at Montréal-Mirabel International Airport in Mirabel, Quebec, outside Montreal, Canada.-Development:...
  
   (bulk cargo door)
• Embraer ERJ 170/175/190/195
  Embraer E-Jets
  The Embraer E-Jets are a series of narrow-body, twin-engine, medium-range, jet airliners produced by Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate that produces commercial, military, and corporate aircraft. Announced at the Paris Air Show in 1999, and entering production in 2002, the aircraft series...
  
   (passenger doors, emergency exit door and forward and aft fuselage barrel section)
• Dassault Falcon 50 EX
  Dassault Falcon 50
  |-See also:-References:* Taylor, John W R. . Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK:Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.-External links:* *...
  
   (Rear fuselage section)
• Dassault Falcon 7X
  Dassault Falcon 7X
  |-See also:-External links:****...
  
   (baggage door and rear fuselage section)
• Dassault Falcon 900 B/EX (Rear fuselage section)

Source

Current leadership

• Chairman of the Supervisory Board: François Junca
• President and CEO: François Bertrand
• CFO: Jean-Jacques Pignères

In popular culture

The name Latécoère is part of a "mystique" in France around the beginning of aviation and adventurers. It is part of a famous song by Henri Salvador

Henri Salvador

Henri Salvador was a French Caribbean singer.-Biography:Salvador was born in Cayenne, French Guiana. His father, Clovis, and his mother, Antonine Paterne, daughter of a native Indian from the Caribbean, were both from Guadeloupe, French West Indies...

, "Jardin d'Hiver", in its 3rd verse :

"Je voudrais du Fred Astaire

Revoir un Latécoère

Je voudrais toujours te plaire

Dans mon jardin d'hiver"

A possibly even more popular (and arguably very gross) reference is found in Lola Rastaquouère, a song by Serge Gainsbourg

Serge Gainsbourg

Serge Gainsbourg, born Lucien Ginsburg was a French singer-songwriter, actor and director. Gainsbourg's extremely varied musical style and individuality make him difficult to categorize...

, a famous and controversial French artist:

"Comment oses-tu me parler d'amour toi, hein

Toi qui n'as pas connu Lola Rastaquouère

Je lui faisais le plein comme au Latécoère

Qui décolle en vibrant vers les cieux africains"

Latécoère is mentioned by name in the first sentence of Antoine de Saint Exupéry's famous autobiographical work, Wind, Sand, and Stars, (1936) - from the English translation:

"In 1926 I was enrolled as student airline pilot by the Latécoère Company, the predecessors of Aéropostale (now Air France) in the operation of the line between Toulouse, in southwestern France, and Dakar, in French West Africa."

External links

• Company official site
• Profile on Google Finance.