Aurore MB 04 Souris Bulle

The Aurore MB 04 Souris Bulle (English: Bubble Mouse) is a French ultralight aircraft, designed by Michel Barry and produced by Aurore Sarl of Sauvagnon. The aircraft is supplied as a kit or as plans for amateur construction.[1][2][3]

MB 04 Souris Bulle
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin France
Manufacturer Aurore Sarl
Designer Michel Barry
Introduction circa 1998
Status In production

Design and development

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The Souris Bulle was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules. The aircraft features a strut-braced high-wing, a two-seats-in-tandem enclosed cockpit under a bubble canopy, fixed conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration. The rear seat has very limited visibility.[1][2]

The aircraft is made from wood with its flying surfaces covered in doped aircraft fabric. Its 11.25 m (36.9 ft) span wing employs single supporting struts. The standard recommended engine is the 60 hp (45 kW) JPX 4T two-stroke powerplant or a 45 hp (34 kW) Volkswagen air-cooled engine. The Souris Bulle has a glide ratio of 18:1.[1][2][3]

The standard day, sea level, no wind, take off with a 45 hp (34 kW) engine is 52 m (171 ft) and the landing roll is 91 m (299 ft).[3]

In 2015 the aircraft kit was 13,300 and plans sold for €380.[2] The manufacturer estimates the construction time from the supplied kit as 650 hours.[3]

Specifications (MB 04 Souris Bulle)

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Data from Bayerl and Purdy[1][3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 7.92 m (26 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 11.25 m (36 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 15 m2 (160 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 250 kg (551 lb)
  • Gross weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 50 litres (11 imp gal; 13 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × JPX 4T four cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 45 kW (60 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 170 km/h (110 mph, 92 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 140 km/h (87 mph, 76 kn)
  • Stall speed: 60 km/h (33 mph, 29 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 18:1
  • Rate of climb: 4 m/s (790 ft/min)


References

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  1. ^ a b c d Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 28. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. ^ a b c d Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 30. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. ^ a b c d e Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 346. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
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