Brochet MB.50 Pipistrelle
Brochet · France · first flew 1948 · light aircraft
The Brochet MB.50 Pipistrelle is a very small single-seat light aircraft designed by Maurice Brochet in France, representing the smallest end of his series of wooden high-wing monoplanes. It was intended as an economical personal aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 5.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Tiny French ultralight-class high-wing monoplane
- Very small single-engine wooden aircraft
- Among smallest of Brochet's designs
An extremely small high-wing monoplane with a minimal fuselage; its tiny size and simple construction distinguish it from most other light aircraft.
Specifications
- The Brochet MB.50 Pipistrelle has a length of 5.8 m (19 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8 m (26 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 140 km/h (87 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Maurice Brochet developed the MB.50 in the late 1940s as part of a family of affordable light aircraft for French private owners. The Pipistrelle name reflects its small bat-like proportions. It was built in limited numbers.
Variants
Forms the smallest of the Brochet MB series; related to the larger MB.80, MB.100, and MB.110.
Where you'll see it
Private use in France; very few examples built.
Related aircraft
- Brochet MB.80
- Brochet MB.100
- Brochet MB.110
- Aero Commander 500
- Beechcraft T-34 Mentor
- Beecraft Wee Bee
- Cessna 170
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