Forty Minute First Flight Goes Well, Test Program Underway

Earlier this year, a few players in the LSA/Affordable Flyer segment made announcements that their mostly low-wing configured airframes were soon to be joined by a high-wing version -- which got a lot of attention from those who love that configuration... and first to the skies is the curvy Bristell B8.

BRM's Martin Bristela reported that... "Today BRM Aero has made (the) next step in its history. On 9th July 2020 at 13zulu company test pilot Mirek Rakusan made the first flight with the B8 all metal high wing."

The flight reportedly took some 40 minutes, while Mirek Rakusan undertook to test basic flight characteristics and the stability profile of the aircraft. After landing, the test pilot said that the B8 has serious potential to be a 'very stable and fast' aircraft.

The first 10 B8 airframes are now in production, awaiting completion of the flight test program. The B8 has a 130 cm (app. 51.2 inches) wide cockpit and strutless wings. The fixed gear version uses two composite legs on the mains and a steerable nose wheel with a hydraulic damper. The wheels and brakes are Beringer products, while there are two choices of braking control -- toe brakes on the rudder pedals or hand brake on the central console.

Dual controls are connected to aileron and elevator controls via push rods. Available engines are the Rotax 912 ULS, iS and (in the future) the 915iS. Fuel capacity is 150l (just short of 40 gallons) using integral fuel tanks in the wings.

The designed maximum take off weight is 600 kg (1323 pounds). BRM will continue the test program through the summer in order to complete the requirements for Czech type certificate. More info to follow.

FMI: www.bristell.com/