Aviasud AE-206 Mistral

The Aviasud AE-206 Mistral was developed by Aviasud Engineering in Fréjus, France, was designed by two Belgian born engineers: Francois Goethals and Bernard d'Otreppe. The Mistral, a three-axis, tricycle landing gear, microlight biplane powered by a Rotax 532 engine, was flown first in 1985. This side-by-side two-seated ULM (Ultra Light Motorised aircraft) is highly unusual in having swept forward wings. The Aviasud AE-206 Mistral was manufactured by Aviasud Industries in Fréjus, France and the first delivery took place in April 1986. The exact number in service world-wide is unknown but just over two hundred were built in France. Next to the production in France, the Mistral was under licence manufactured in Brasil by Ultraleger Industria Aeronáutica Ltda. The Mistral remained in production by Ultraleger until 2004. Their Mistral B and C were powered by a 65 hp 2 cylinder, 2 stroke liquid cooled Rotax 582 UL-DCDI engine. On 4 May 1987, the Mistral made history when it was flown to the geographic North Pole by Nicolas Hulot. This Mistral was accompanied by another ULM: the Explorer, a highly modified Avid Flyer, flown by Hubert de Chevigny.

The 1994-built Aviasud Mistral 582 s/n 201 was registered OO-B70 in Belgium on 25 May 1994. Mistral OO-B70 was photographed at the MLA-airfield Baisy-Thy near Nivelles in Belgium on 31 July 2003.

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