Aurore MB 02-2 Mini Bulle

The Aurore MB 02-2 Mini Bulle, designed by Frenchman Michel Barry, perfectly encapsulates the European philosophy of light aviation: doing a lot with very little.

This aircraft is proof that you don’t need a giant engine to fly well; you just need a good design. Its name, “Mini Bulle” (Mini Bubble), perfectly describes its most distinctive feature: a panoramic cockpit that makes you feel like you are floating in the air.

Here are its advantages, focused on its economic construction, its simplicity, and its surprising aerodynamic efficiency.

1. Manufacturing: The Economy of Wood and Fabric

The Mini Bulle was designed with the budget-conscious amateur builder in mind. It is a plane built with materials you could find in a good carpentry shop, avoiding expensive aviation metals.

• Wood Structure: The entire plane is a classic wood and plywood structure. You don’t need to weld steel tubes or work with complex aluminum. It is cutting, gluing, and sanding. Wood is cheap, forgiving of mistakes (it is easy to repair), and has an excellent lifespan if cared for.

• Cantilever Wings (No Struts): Unlike other cheap designs that use external cables and tubes to hold the wings (generating drag), the Mini Bulle has a clean wing, supported by a strong internal wooden spar. This simplifies field assembly and reduces the number of parts to buy.

• Minimal Cost: By using a small engine (thanks to its efficiency) and basic materials, the total cost of the project is a fraction of what a metal kit costs. It is one of the cheapest planes to complete on the market.

2. Aerodynamic Efficiency and Power

This is where French design shines. While other planes need 40 or 50 HP to fly decently, the Mini Bulle works wonders with engines that barely sip gasoline.

• The Secret of the Glide: Thanks to its clean wings and aerodynamic teardrop-shaped fuselage, it has an estimated glide ratio of 13:1. This is exceptional for such a small plane; it means that if the engine quits at 1,000 meters (3,000 feet), you can glide for 13 kilometers (8 miles) before touching the ground.

• Minimum Power Required: Due to this great glide and low drag, the Mini Bulle flies happily with 18 to 25 HP engines (such as the Rotax 277, JPX engines, or adapted industrial ones). You don’t need to spend a fortune on a big engine.

• Operating Economy: With those small engines, consumption is ridiculous, often around 5-7 liters (1.3-1.8 gallons) per hour. You fly all afternoon for the price of lunch.

3. Statistics and Performance Numbers

Despite using such small engines, its numbers put more powerful but less aerodynamic planes to shame. Here are the exact figures that prove its efficiency:

Dimensions and Weights:

• Wingspan: 6.15 meters (20 feet). It is very compact.

• Wing Area: 6.5 square meters (70 sq ft).

• Empty Weight: Incredibly light, 115 kg (253 lbs).

• Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 250 kg (551 lbs).

• Payload: It can carry a pilot and fuel weighing up to 135 kg (297 lbs).

Performance (with a 18-28 HP engine):

• Maximum Speed (Vne): 160 km/h (100 mph).

• Cruise Speed: Comfortably maintains 115-120 km/h (72-75 mph). Note: Achieving this speed with less than 30 HP is an aerodynamic feat.

• Stall Speed: Very docile, 45 km/h (28 mph).

• Rate of Climb: Climbs at about 3 to 3.5 meters per second (600-700 feet/min).

• Takeoff Distance: Needs about 100 to 120 meters (330-400 feet) to get airborne.

• Load Factor: Designed for +4G / -2G.

4. Design and The “Bubble”

• Helicopter Visibility: The cockpit is a large bubble that surrounds the pilot. You don’t have thick frames or wings blocking your view to the sides or below. The sensation of freedom is total.

• System Simplicity: The landing gear is a simple sheet of composite material or flexible duralumin. There are no oleo struts to maintain. Controls are basic and direct.

Considerations (The reality of size)

• It is Small: The name “Mini” is no joke. The cockpit is tight. If you are very tall (over 1.85m / 6’1″) or very broad, you might find it snug.

• Thermal Sensitivity: Being so light and having such an efficient wing, it moves quite a bit on days with thermal turbulence. It is a very “alive” plane and sensitive to control inputs.

• Building from Plans: It is not a “weekend assembly” kit. You have to fabricate the ribs and spars yourself following the blueprints, which requires patience, but saves a lot of money.

In summary, the Aurore MB 02-2 Mini Bulle is the smart choice for those prioritizing pure efficiency. It allows you to fly fast and far with the smallest and cheapest engine possible, enjoying an unmatched panoramic view, all built with your own hands and common wood.