Colibri
MB-2 at Vängsö ESSZ in Sweden in 2006
Role Sports plane
National origin Switzerland
Designer Max Brügger
First flight 1965
Number built 260+

The Brügger MB-1, MB-2 and MB-3 Colibri is a family of small sports aircraft designed in Switzerland in the 1960s and 1970s for amateur construction.[1][2]

Design and development

The Colibri family are single-seat, low-wing cantilever monoplanes with fixed tailwheel undercarriage powered by a four-cylinder horizontally opposed Volkswagen air-cooled engine automotive conversion.[1][2]

The MB-1 Colibri first flew in 1965 and served as a development aircraft for the definitive MB-2 Colibri 2 that flew in 1970. These aircraft had all-wooden framework with fabric-covered wings and plywood-covered fuselages. The pilot's seat was enclosed by an expansive bubble canopy. In 1976-77, Brügger built and flew an all-metal version as the MB-3. Many examples are actively flying in 2012.

The MB-2 is noted for its handling qualities.[2]

Specifications (MB-2)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976–77[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 4.80 m (15 ft 9 in)
  • Wingspan: 6.00 m (19 ft 8 in)
  • Height: 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 8.20 m2 (88.3 sq ft)
  • Airfoil: NACA 23012
  • Empty weight: 215 kg (474 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 330 kg (728 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 33 L (7.3 imp gal; 8.7 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Volkswagen air-cooled engine (1600 cc), 30 kW (40 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed Brügger fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 180 km/h (110 mph, 97 kn) at 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
  • Cruise speed: 160 km/h (99 mph, 86 kn) at 4,000 m (13,000 ft) (econ. cruise, 75% power)
  • Stall speed: 60 km/h (37 mph, 32 kn)
  • Range: 500 km (310 mi, 270 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,800 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 3.0 m/s (590 ft/min)
  • Takeoff and landing run: 200 m (660 ft)

References

  1. 1 2 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 110. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. 1 2 3 Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 116. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. ↑ Taylor 1976, p. 479
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brügger Colibri.
  • Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1976). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0-354-00538-3.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 215.
  • Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1977-78. London: Jane's Yearbooks. pp. 506–07.
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