Private aircraft B23M series

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Overview
The Bristell B23M is the certified B23 airframe adapted as a MOSAIC Light Sport Aircraft for the USA. It retains the all‑metal, low‑wing B23 structure engineered to FAA Part 23 standards and is configured to owner specification: choose one of three fuel‑injected Rotax engines, select a propeller (fixed‑pitch or constant‑speed), specify the avionics panel and optionally add a BRS whole‑aircraft parachute. Sport Pilot eligible.

Design & Structure
The airframe is all‑metal (2024‑T3 aluminium), with a longer fuselage, larger rudder, more efficient flaps and stabilizer compared with earlier Bristell variants. The bubble canopy provides all‑round visibility. Cabin width is 130 cm (51.2 in), the widest in its class.

Who it’s built for

• Sport pilots: certified‑grade engineering with LSA simplicity and benign handling; flown without an FAA medical certificate under Sport Pilot rules.
• Flight schools: economical operation (selected engines run on MOGAS; TBO up to 2,000 hours), dual control sticks and benign stall behaviour; same airframe type used by training organisations worldwide.
• Travelling/private owners: long‑range capability and turbocharged variants that preserve cruise at altitude.

Avionics & Technology
Every B23M is factory‑built to the panel specified by the owner. Available equipment and options include:

• Garmin AXIS integrated flight display (NAV/COMM and audio panel integrated; SafeTaxi, synthetic vision and dedicated emergency button) — optional.
• Garmin GMC 507 autopilot with Blue LEVEL button — optional (reduces workload, returns aircraft to wings‑level at a push).
• Garmin GTN 650Xi IFR‑capable touchscreen navigator (LPV capable) — optional.
• ADS‑B In and Out — available.
• Night VFR capability — available as a build‑up option (not standard for LSA variants).

Engines
The B23M is offered with three fuel‑injected Rotax engine options, all with FADEC and able to run on MOGAS or AVGAS:

• Rotax 912 iS Sport — 100 HP / 73.5 kW; TBO 2,000 hours; longest‑range for the family.
• Rotax 915 iS (turbocharged) — 141 HP / 103.7 kW; TBO 1,200 hours; preserves cruise power at altitude.
• Rotax 916 iS (turbocharged) — 160 HP / 117.6 kW; TBO 2,000 hours; highest performance and climb.

Propeller
Propeller selection matches engine and mission: Hartzell, MT‑Propeller or DUC units available; fixed‑pitch or constant‑speed. Constant‑speed propellers maximise performance for turbocharged engines. With the 912 iS plus a constant‑speed propeller, Single Lever Power Control (SLPC) is optional (combines throttle and propeller control with FADEC).

Main features

• 4‑point AmSafe safety harness for both occupants on premium leather seats — standard.
• Dual centre control sticks (left and right) for unobstructed control feel — standard.
• Steerable nose wheel with direct steering through rudder pedals — standard.
• BRS whole‑aircraft ballistic parachute — optional.
• Luggage capacity 55 kg (121 lbs): two wing lockers 20 kg each plus ≈15 kg behind the seats.
• Active traffic system (AT1) available to display surrounding traffic on the glass cockpit — optional.

Performance & mission notes
Performance depends on engine choice. Representative figures (airframe B23 data; variants differ where noted): the 912 iS variant delivers the longest illustrated range; turbocharged 915 iS and 916 iS preserve cruise at altitude and increase climb and max cruise speed.

Operating characteristics
Typical average fuel consumption (typical flight profile): ≈17 L/h (4.5 US gal/h). Engines run on automotive MOGAS or AVGAS. TBOs: 912 iS and 916 iS ≈2,000 hours; 915 iS ≈1,200 hours.

Technical specifications

• Model: B23M (built on the certified B23 airframe).
• MTOW: 750 kg / 1,653 lbs (all variants).
• Useful load: B23M‑912iS: 300 kg / 661 lbs; B23M‑915iS: 285 kg / 628 lbs; B23M‑916iS: 260 kg / 573 lbs.
• Fuel capacity: 120 L / 31.7 US gal.
• Wingspan: 9.274 m / 30 ft 5 in.
• Length: 6.585 m / 21 ft 7 in.
• Cabin width: 130 cm / 51.2 in.
• Engine options and power: Rotax 912 iS Sport — 100 HP / 73.5 kW; Rotax 915 iS — 141 HP / 103.7 kW; Rotax 916 iS — 160 HP / 117.6 kW.
• Fuel injection / FADEC: standard on all engine options.
• Fuel: MOGAS / AVGAS.
• TBO: 912 iS & 916 iS — 2,000 hours; 915 iS — 1,200 hours.
• Max speed (VH): B23M‑912iS: 111 KTAS / 206 km/h; B23M‑915iS: 150 KTAS / 278 km/h; B23M‑916iS: 150 KTAS / 278 km/h.
• Cruise (75%): B23M‑912iS: 106 KTAS / 196 km/h; B23M‑915iS: 136 KTAS / 252 km/h; B23M‑916iS: 130 KTAS / 241 km/h.
• Range (75%): B23M‑912iS: 780 NM / 1,445 km; B23M‑915iS: 340 NM / 630 km; B23M‑916iS: 608 NM / 1,126 km. (Ranges are still‑air, ISA, no reserve — for illustration only.)
• Rate of climb: B23M‑912iS: 702 fpm / 3.6 m/s; B23M‑915iS: 1,259 fpm / 6.4 m/s; B23M‑916iS: 1,320 fpm / 6.7 m/s.
• Service ceiling: B23M‑912iS: 14,000 ft / 4,267 m; B23M‑915iS & 916iS: 18,000 ft / 5,486 m.
• Cert basis: MOSAIC eligible · LSA (engine/prop/avionics configured to order for the USA).
• IFR: IFR‑capable avionics are available as options but variants are not approved for IFR operations under Sport Pilot privileges.
• Night VFR: available as an option (build‑up), not standard certification for the LSA variant.
• BRS whole‑aircraft parachute: optional on all variants.