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The Blackshape Prime BS100 is a two-seat tandem, low-wing, single
engine, ultralight aeroplane with retracable landing gear, manufactured
by Blackshape SpA, Monopoli (BA), Italy. The Blackshape Prime is a
further development of the Millennium Master built by Compact Composite
srl, Turin, Italy. The Millennium Master was a full carbonfiber designed
aircraft evolved from the Asso X Jewel, an all-wood homebuilt
cantilever, single engine, two seats, ultralight aircraft designed by
Giuseppe Vidor. The Millennium Master was built to comply with Fédération
Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules and flew first on 27 May 2006.
A second prototype was flown in December 2007. However production was
planned for October 2007, the Millenium Master didn't enter production
with Compact Composite srl and the company went into bankruptcy. In 2009,
the design was acquired by Blackshape S.p.A., a young enterprise in Monopoli,
that started with a Principi Attivi grant. The design was further developed
into the Blackshape Prime, an extremely strong and low weight aircraft. The
Blackshape Prime features a full carbon-fibre frame; a resistant
protective box around both pilots, internal fire extinguisher and an
internal ballistic chute to provide extra safity for the occupants in
case of an emergency situation. The ultralight version of the Blackshape
Prime powered by a 4-cylinder, 4-stroke liquid/air-cooled Rotax 912 ULS
engine with opposed cylinders nead a take off and landing distance from
150 m and flies at a cruise speed of 275 km/h. The Gabriël is the EASA CS-VLA certified
version of the Bk100-Prime called European UL/Microlight. The aircraft is used for civil
and military flight training and for recreational flying for the more demanding pilot.
Production of the Blackshape Prime and Gabriel aircraft is currently running at just
under two aircraft per week. The build process is notable because the aircraft frame is
entirely constructed from Carbon Fibre using Blackshape’s patented technology. |
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On 21 May 2014, the Blackshape Prime BS100 demonstrator I-X010 in Italian military colors arrived at Lelystad airport.
As of November 2013, this aircraft had been tested for five months by the Italian Navy as MM0001 at their aircraft carrier
'Cavour'. In April 2014, the Blackshape Prime BS100 military demonstrator was in its 'Italian Navy MM0001' colors one
of the highlights at the Aero Friedrichshafen 2014. At Lelystad, the aircraft was tested by the aviation company
'Zelf Vliegen' prior the delivery of their two Blackshape Prime BS100 aircraft that were on order at that time. On
20 and 21 June 2014, the I-X010 was seen on the static of the Luchtmachtdagen at Gilze-Rijen AFB.
On 31 June 2014,
Blackshape Prime BS100 I-X010 was seen with its Italian military markings at Lelystad airport. |
Luchtvaart déjà vu
