B23 Variant With the Rotax 916iS Earns Certification in the CS-23 Category

BRM AERO has secured another EASA certification for its Bristell B23 design. What makes this one special is what’s under the cowling: a 160-horsepower turbocharged Rotax 916iS, marking the highest-power engine option yet for the B23 lineup.

The new B23 variant received official approval in the CS-23 category on December 17, 2025, becoming the first aircraft in the world to pair the 916iS with an EASA-certified CS-23 airframe. This allows customers to order the B23-916iS as a fully certified aircraft on an airframe already familiar to flight schools and private owners. Bristell is targeting operators who need more than baseline training performance, listing glider towing, high-altitude operations, and hot-and-high environments as prime candidates.

Bristell has plenty of experience with the certification process. The B23 holds EASA CS-23 approval and, as of September 2025, FAA Part 23 type certification. This gives it dual-authority credibility for international operators. While undoubtedly painstaking, the process has paid off: more than 1,100 Bristell aircraft have been delivered since 2009, with many serving full-time in commercial training fleets.

“From the beginning, we designed the B23 as a universal platform that can grow with our customers’ needs,” said Bristell Aircraft CEO Martin Bristela. “The EASA approval of the 916iS configuration is a clear step forward — customers can now choose the exact performance level that fits their operation, from cost-efficient training to demanding towing and high-altitude flying.”

In standard form, the B23 features an all-metal structure, Garmin glass cockpit avionics, and an impressively wide cabin at 130 centimeters (51 inches). With a 750-kilogram (1653 lbs) maximum takeoff weight, the aircraft offers a useful load of up to 280 kilograms (617 lbs) depending on configuration options, making it adaptable for both instructional and touring roles without forcing operators into thin margins.

The Rotax 916iS adds a noticeable step up in capability. The turbocharged engine is rated at 160 horsepower, carries a 2,000-hour TBO, and supports certified operation up to FL180. Published figures for the B23-916iS include a 153-meter (502 ft) takeoff roll, 286 meters (938 ft) to clear a 50-foot obstacle, and a maximum certified glider tow weight of 850 kilograms (1874 lbs), with typical cruise fuel consumption around 24 liters per hour (6.3 gph).

With the 916iS approved, the B23 engine lineup now spans from the 100-horsepower 912iS through the turbocharged 915iS, including an IFR-capable 915iS variant, up to the new 916iS. The B23-916iS is available to order through authorized dealers, with initial deliveries already underway.

FMI: www.bristell.com