1 engine

Aurebach Wasp Special

TerryLeave a comment
Wasp Special NX7571

R H Aurebach built the Aurebach Wasp Special in 1927.

Wasp Special NX7571

The 1927 single-place “18-foot Wasp” (as described) has a provocative, albeit grim, story in a found newspaper clipping. Student pilot Henry Axton died in the crash after its wing collapsed while landing at Alameda airport. Before the coroner could investigate the accident, builder Aurebach set fire to the ship’s remains “in order to clear the field of the wreckage, because it was harmful to his business, to aviation, and to the airport.” He denied doing it to destroy any evidence of criminal negligence. We have no follow-up on this story; however … an old knot on our pages unravels right here.

‘A small ship resembling this brief description, built in nearby Oakland in 1927, that also suffered a crash before its entry in the Dole Race. That was enough to goad us to search Les Forden’s The Glory Gamblers, where on page 56 is: “On Aug 5th, spectators watched in horror as the little plane spun in and crashed, killing Henry Axton. Alameda County DA Earl Warren [later CA governor] warned the aviation community to expect legal action regarding unlicensed [the Wasp was X-licensed] and unsafe airplanes. The resulting publicity became part of the furor that followed when so many of the press, and the public, insisted the Dole flyers were irresponsible adventurers who flew home-made crates.”

BRM AERO Bristell B23

TerryLeave a comment
Bristell B23

BRM AERO, the Czech-based manufacturer of Bristell Aircraft, announced September 2025 its two-seat Bristell B23 has received Type Certification from the Federal Aviation Administration under Part 23 regulations. The approval marks the company’s first FAA-certified B23 model and positions the B23 for entry into the U.S. training market. The aircraft, already certified under EASA CS-23 in Europe, has logged more than 1,100 deliveries worldwide since 2009. The company says there are nearly 100 other Bristell aircraft already operating in the U.S., used by both private owners and flight schools.

The manufacturer said it plans to grow its North American dealer network by 50 percent within 18 months, with certification efforts underway for additional B23 variations with Rotax 912iS, 915iS, 916iS, and IFR-ready versions.

Bristell B23

Equipped with a 100 HP Rotax 912S3 engine, the now-certified B23 features a 2,000-hour TBO and fuel burn of about 4.5 gallons per hour, with approval for both 100LL and unleaded automotive fuel.

Bristell says the B23 offers a 700-nautical-mile range, 1,654-pound MTOW, 662-pound useful load, and a 51-inch-wide cockpit. It also includes a BRS parachute system.

Deliveries of the FAA-certified B23-912 were scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 through Bristell’s North American dealer network.