AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 40

BRIEFING
A IRCRAFT /
Behold, the future
Bristell 916M shines under MOSAIC rules
BY IAN J. TWOMBLY
BRISTELL MAY MARKET its new MOSAIC-ready 916M as a luxurious light sport aircraft
with a Garmin G3X, a 51-inch-wide cabin, and great customer support, but the thing
buyers will most brag about is how much of a beast it is on the runway.
The always-crowded light sport aircraft field is set to become even more expansive
as the FAA works toward a final rule that will enable a host of innovative technologies,
increased gross weight, and a greater range of capabilities as part of a major rulemaking
framework called MOSAIC. Manufacturers, especially those based in Europe that already
have certificated adaptations, are already lining up, frothing at the new market. Among
them is BRM Aero, the Czech-based maker of the Bristell line of aircraft. After flying the
916M, we are getting antsy to see the rules come to fruition as well.
Long revered for their workmanship, solid design philosophy, and strong factory
support, the company is a leader in high-end LSA sales. The 916M is the MOSAIC-ready
version of the company's B23, a certificated aircraft in Europe. The airframe largely looks
like the company's LSA offerings, but it's longer, has a larger rudder, and the structure
has been beefed up slightly. The biggest difference between the B23 sold in Europe and
the 916M being offered in the United States is the engine. And oh, what a difference.
Putting out 160 horsepower, the Rotax 916iS on the 916M is a far cry from the budgetfriendly
912 on the B23. With two big guys, a warm day, a heavy fuel load, and full flaps,
40
AOPA PILOT / January 2025
the airplane was off the ground in about
500 feet. On a touch and go it was off
the ground before the power lever made
it to the stop. With the flaps properly
retracted (we used full flaps for a worstcase
demonstration), the airplane climbs
at 1,500 feet per minute and 13 degrees
nose-up. Lower the nose to a more reasonable
8 or 10 degrees nose up, and you
will still climb between 900 feet and
1,200 feet per minute passing through
3,000 feet. It's astonishing performance
for a light aircraft marketed as a luxury
traveling machine.
But we're getting ahead of ourselves.
The 916M's metal wings and fuselage are
expertly crafted, and care has gone into
little fairings and touches that give the
airplane a high-end feel and make it stand
out on the ramp. There are two wing lockers
that each hold 40 pounds, and stepping up
to the forward-hinged wrap-around canopy
puts you in the mindset that you're about to
experience something special.
DAVID TULIS

AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025

Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - Intro
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - Cover1
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - Cover2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 4
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 5
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 6
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 7
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 8
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 9
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 10
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 11
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 12
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 13
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 14
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 18
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 19
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 28
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 29
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 30
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 31
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 33
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 35
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 37
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 38
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 39
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 40
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 41
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 42
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 43
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 49
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 50
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 51
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 52
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 53
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 54
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 61
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 71
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 91
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 104
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - Cover3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - Cover4
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