Bristell by BRM AERO

What Bristell by BRM AERO does

BRM AERO s.r.o., operating commercially as Bristell, is a privately held Czech manufacturer of all-metal light aircraft headquartered at Kunovice Airport. Founded in 2009 by aviation engineer Milan Bristela and his son Martin in a garage with no outside capital, the company remains family-owned and has grown to 140+ engineers, pilots and specialists producing approximately 110-112 aircraft per year, with 1,200+ airframes delivered cumulatively across 30+ countries on five continents. The product portfolio spans the EASA CS-23 / FAA Part 23 certified B23 family, the MOSAIC-compliant B23M and B8M, the best-selling UL/LSA line (Classic, RG, TDO variants) approved from Germany's DAEC to Australia's RAA, and the in-development Energic 100% electric trainer co-developed with H55 S.A. All aircraft are powered by Rotax 4-stroke engines (100-160 HP), equipped with Garmin avionics including autopilot with Electronic Stability and Protection, and built in-house with over 90% of parts manufactured at Kunovice under CATIA design.

The company monetises aircraft as one-time high-value custom builds (livery, upholstery, avionics and propeller selected per buyer; pricing on request through the dealer network), with downstream recurring revenue from a 43-center service network in 19 countries and a worldwide spare-parts operation dispatched from the factory. Distribution runs through 30+ authorised dealers on five continents, supplemented by direct factory sales for enterprise and government customers — exemplified by the South Korean Air Force contract — and active presence at major airshows including EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, AERO Friedrichshafen and the Bucharest International Air Show.

Primary customer segments are flight training organisations (CEAL in Colombia, Horizon Swiss Flight Academy in Switzerland), individual private owners seeking a comfortable, customisable touring aircraft, glider-towing operators using the B23's up-to-850 kg tow approval, and government/military buyers requiring internationally type-certified light platforms. The business model is capital-intensive, with manufacturing infrastructure including a 3,700 m² hangar opened in 2019 and production halls expanded in 2014 and 2016, supported by EU and Czech government programmes (Modernisation Fund, National Recovery Plan, NextGenerationEU) backing certification and the Energic electric-aircraft project.

Name

Bristell by BRM AERO

Legal name

BRM AERO s.r.o.

Website

https://bristell.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BRM AERO manufactures all-metal light aircraft under the Bristell brand from Kunovice, Czech Republic, producing certified (EASA CS-23/FAA Part 23) and LSA planes for flight schools, private pilots, and military customers through a global dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Light Aircraft Manufacturing

NAICS

Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft (3721)

akta.pro primary industry

Business & General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Military Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAB)

Keywords

• Light aircraft manufacturing
• Certified light aircraft
• Flight training aircraft
• General aviation aircraft
• All-metal airframes

Headquarters

HQ city

Kunovice

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Aircraft Sales: Bristell generates revenue through the sale of complete light aircraft. Each aircraft is custom-built to owner specification including livery, upholstery, avionics, and propeller selection. Models range from UL/LSA (600 kg MTOW) to certified B23 (750 kg MTOW) and high-wing B8M (800 kg MTOW).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BRM AERO designs, manufactures, and sells all-metal Bristell light aircraft — custom-built to customer specification with Rotax engines (100–160 HP), Garmin avionics, and BRS parachutes. The portfolio spans EASA CS-23/FAA Part 23 certified B23 trainers and tourers, MOSAIC-compliant LSA models (B23M, B8M), UL/LSA Classic/RG/TDO variants, and the electric Energic trainer in development. Aircraft are sold primarily through a 30+ dealer global network, supported by factory-direct sales for governments and militaries, plus OEM spare parts from Kunovice.

Product overview

Bristell by BRM AERO is a Czech manufacturer of all-metal light aircraft, offering a portfolio of certified and experimental aircraft. The product line includes the B23 (EASA CS-23/FAA Part 23 certified), B23M (US LSA MOSAIC-compliant), UL/LSA family (Classic, RG, and TDO variants), B8M high-wing LSA, and the experimental electric Energic for flight training. Aircraft are powered by Rotax engines (100–160 HP) and equipped with Garmin avionics, Beringer brakes, MT propellers, and AmSafe harnesses. The company sells directly to flight schools and private operators, backed by a global network of 43 service centers in 19 countries. The company has delivered over 1,200 aircraft worldwide since its founding in 2009.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bristell B23: Certified light aircraft family — EASA CS-23 and FAA Part 23 certified, from training to touring, IFR to high-altitude turbo performance.
• Bristell B23M
• Bristell UL/LSA
• Bristell B8M
• Bristell Energic

Products and services

• Bristell B23 Light aircraft family certified worldwide (EASA CS-23, FAA Part 23 on the B23-912 since September 2025, CAA UK, CASA) covering training, touring, IFR, and high-altitude turbo performance; sold through the authorized dealer network to flight schools, private owners, and government customers.
• Bristell B23M Certified B23 platform, MOSAIC-compliant for the US Light Sport Aircraft category, expanding Bristell's footprint into the updated US LSA market.
• Bristell UL/LSA family (Classic, RG, TDO) Bristell's best-selling family on one proven airframe, with Classic, RG (retractable gear), and TDO (taildragger) variants; four Rotax engines from 100–160 HP; UL approved across Europe and LSA accepted in the US.
• Bristell B8M High-wing variant sized up for MOSAIC, powered by the 160 HP Rotax 916 iS engine with 800 kg (1,764 lbs) MTOW.
• Bristell Energic (electric flight trainer) 100% electric flight training aircraft in development with partner H55 S.A., targeting zero emissions and low operating costs per flight hour.
• Genuine OEM Spare Parts Genuine Bristell OEM spare parts and accessories available for order online with worldwide dispatch from the Kunovice factory.

Quantifiable outcome

• Fuel efficiency as low as 14 L/h (3.7 US gal/h)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• CEAL (Centro de Entrenamiento Aéreo Latinoamericano)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 June 2026Bogotá-based flight training organization ordered the first Bristell B23-916iS for Colombia. CEAL adds the EASA CS-23 certified trainer with Rotax 916 iS engine to its fleet.
• Lightspeed AviationcoreTechnology or Integration · 10 December 2025Partnership announced December 2025 to elevate the in-cockpit experience. Lightspeed Aviation and Bristell are two aviation leaders uniting to enhance pilot experience through integrated headset and communication solutions.
• Horizon Swiss Flight AcademyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 December 2025Swiss precision aviation training organization partnered with Bristell. The story highlights how Swiss precision meets Czech aviation engineering in a partnership delivering modern training aircraft.
• H55 S.A.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerH55 S.A. is a key development partner for the Bristell Energic electric aircraft project. The Energic is a 100% electric flight training aircraft being developed with H55's electric propulsion technology for zero emissions and low operating costs.
• AVIONIKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAVIONIK serves as Bristell's authorized dealer covering Romania, Moldova, and Georgia. They host regional events including the Bucharest International Air Show (BIAS), Ambassadori Aviation Village Grand Opening in Georgia, and the Hincesti Fly-In in Moldova.
• Rotax (BRP-Rotax)coreTechnology or IntegrationBristell is one of Rotax's largest OEM customers. All Bristell aircraft use Rotax 4-stroke engines (912, 912 iS, 915 iS, 915 iSc, 916 iS) ranging from 100-160 HP. This long-standing partnership provides reliable powerplants with global service support.
• Garmin AviationcoreTechnology or IntegrationAll Bristell aircraft come equipped with Garmin avionics including integrated flight displays, autopilot with ESP, and backup batteries. Bristell is working on integrating the new Garmin AXIS display system (Q4 2026 for Classic line, Q2 2027 for B23 family).
• European Union / Czech GovernmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple EU-funded projects supporting Bristell development including: B23-915 certification, foreign trade fair participation, photovoltaic installation (FVE), and the Bristell Energic electric aircraft project. Funding from Modernisation Fund, National Recovery Plan, and EU NextGenerationEU.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Diamond Aircraft: Austrian-Canadian manufacturer of all-metal, Rotax-powered composite training and touring aircraft (DA20, DA40, DA42, DA62). Closest direct comparable: certified CS-23/FAA Part 23 light aircraft serving flight schools and private owners with a similar in-house, vertically-integrated production model.
• Comco Ikarus: German manufacturer of the C42 and C42CS ultralight/LSA aircraft — one of the most-produced LSA platforms worldwide. Direct peer in the UL/LSA category serving aero clubs and flight training at lower price points than Bristell's certified line.
• Pipistrel: Slovenian light aircraft manufacturer (now owned by Textron Aviation) producing the Velis Electro — the world's first EASA-certified electric trainer — and the Virus/Sinus LSA line. Direct competitor in flight school trainer segment and the electric trainer space Bristell is entering with Energic.
• Tecnam: Italian manufacturer of light aircraft including the P92, P2002, P2006 and P2010 certified trainers. Comparable as a European LSA/CS-23 manufacturer with parallel flight school and private owner segments, similar scale, and direct competition in flight training fleets.
• Flight Design: German/CTLS manufacturer of the CTLS and F-series Light Sport Aircraft. Comparable as a European LSA competitor targeting flight schools and private owners with Rotax-powered composite/steel aircraft.
• Cirrus Aircraft: US-based manufacturer of the SR20 and SR22 high-performance composite aircraft plus the SF50 Vision Jet. Competes with Bristell's B23 in the personal/owner-flown segment and with its flight training positioning through the Cirrus Approach training ecosystem.
• Zenith Aircraft: US manufacturer of kit-built and SLSA light sport aircraft including the CH 750 and STOL CH 801. Comparable as a popular LSA option in the US market where Bristell's B23M and B8M MOSAIC models are now competing.
• Evektor: Czech manufacturer of the Harmony LSA and EV-55 Outback utility aircraft. Same home country as BRM AERO, directly comparable as a Central European LSA producer with overlapping flight school and trainer customer base.

Others

• Garmin Aviation: Core technology partner supplying integrated avionics, autopilot, and the upcoming AXIS display system to Bristell. Listed as an 'OTHERS' ecosystem enabler given its strategic Tier-1 relationship and product roadmap alignment with Bristell's B23 and Classic lines.

Broad incumbents

• Textron Aviation: US manufacturer of Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft — the dominant general aviation incumbent (Cessna 172 Skyhawk is the global flight training standard). Owns Pipistrel. Broad competitor across flight training and personal aircraft segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@bristellaero
• Facebookfacebook.com/bristellaero
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bristell
• Instagraminstagram.com/bristell_aircraft

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bristell by BRM AERO