AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2020 - 73

As a final demonstration, Rathmell took the airplane around the
pattern and requested permission to land on Runway 30. When cleared
to do so, he aimed the airplane at the edge of the runway and we were
down and stopped at the intersection of Runway 30 and Taxiway A-a
distance of about 600 feet-with a knot or two of a tailwind.
ALL DECKED OUT

With an IFR avionics package, leather interior, and advanced
paint scheme, the Bristell 915 goes out the door at approximately
$281,000-a figure Rathmell acknowledges won't endear the airplane to the "what happened to inexpensive LSA" audience. "If
you're flying at sea level, do you
need to go to $280,000?" he said.
Bristell customers envision a world
You could stick with a base model
with a 100-horsepower Rotax 912 in which a light sport aircraft can climb
and pay about $150,000.
1,200 to 1,500 feet per minute.
But consider this: Bristell
customers asked for this boosted
engine. They envision a world in which an SLSA can climb at 1,200
to 1,500 feet per minute.
If pilots want such a beast and are willing to pay for it, who
are we to argue? There are plenty of LSAs at different price points
to go around. 
AOPA
LOW AND SLOW or high and fast, the

Bristell can do both types of flying.

EMAIL jill.tallman@aopa.org

SPEC SHEET
Bristell 915
BASE PRICE: $214,000
PRICE AS TESTED: $296,372
SPECIFICATIONS

Max takeoff weight | 1,320 lb

Absolute ceiling | 25,000 ft

Powerplant | Rotax 915iS fuel injected,

Max landing weight	 | 1,320 lb

Landing distance over 50-ft obstacle | 1,200 ft

	 turbocharged w/intercooler

Fuel capacity, std | 31.6 gal usable

Landing distance, ground roll	 | 400 ft

	 Recommended TBO | 1,200 hrs

			

Propeller | 4 Blade DUC Flash 3	

Fuel capacity, w/opt tanks | 39 gal usable

Length | 21 ft 2 in

				

Height | 7 ft 6 in

Oil capacity | 3.5 qt

VY (best rate of climb) | 80 KIAS

Wingspan | 26 ft 8 in

Baggage capacity | 128 lbs

VA (design maneuvering) | 96 KIAS

190 lb usable
230 lb usable

Wing area | 126.5 sq ft

LIMITING AND RECOMMENDED AIRSPEEDS

VX (best angle of climb) | 70 KIAS

VFE (max flap extended) | 75 KIAS

Wing loading | 10.45 lb/sq ft

PERFORMANCE

VNO (max structural cruising) | 120 KIAS

Power loading | 10.2 lb/hp

Takeoff distance, ground roll | 400 ft

VNE (never exceed) | 157 KIAS

Seats | 2

Takeoff distance over 50-ft obstacle |

VR (rotation) | 50 KIAS

Cabin length | 5 ft 2 in

	 1,000 ft

VS1 (stall, clean) | 39 KIAS

Cabin width | 4 ft 2 in

Rate of climb, sea level | 1,700 fpm

VSO (stall, in landing configuration) | 32 KIAS

Cabin height | 3 ft 6 in

Max level speed, sea level | 120 kt

Empty weight | 820 lb

Max level speed, 9500 ft | 141 kt

FOR MORE INFORMATION contact BRM

Empty weight, as tested | 852 lb

Cruise speed/fuel burn

AERO, bristell.com

Max ramp weight | 1,320 lb

	 Max allowable power to 15,000 ft is

Max gross weight | 1,320 lb

	 5,500 rpm | 141 kt/9 gph

All specifications are based on manufactur-

Useful load | 500 lb

	 @ 75% power, best economy | 130 kt/6 gph

er's calculations. All performance figures

Useful load, as tested | 468 lb

	 @ 65% power, best economy | 125 kt/5 gph

are based on standard day, standard atmo-

Payload w/full fuel | 310 lb

	 @ 55% power, best economy | 120 kt/4 gph

sphere, sea level, gross weight conditions

Payload w/full fuel, as tested | 278 lb

Max operating altitude | 15,000 ft

unless otherwise noted.

Payload w/4 hours fuel | 380 lb

Service ceiling | 23,000 ft
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2020

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