Pavel Beneš
Beneš-Mráz Be-150 Beta-Junior
The Beneš-Mráz Be‑150 Beta‑Junior, designed and produced in the late 1930s by Czech engineer Pavel Beneš, represents an important step in the development of light sport aircraft in Central Europe. Built at the Beneš‑Mráz factory in Choceň, the single‑engine, low‑wing monoplane was intended for civil training, touring and club use. Its wooden structure, covered with fabric, kept the weight low and allowed easy repair, while the 105‑horsepower Walter Minor engine gave a modest top speed of about 180 km/h and a range of 600 km. The Be‑150 featured a side‑by‑side cockpit under a large, sliding canopy, providing good visibility for both instructor and student. Fixed tailwheel undercarriage and simple controls made it forgiving for novice pilots. Only a small series was completed before the outbreak of World War II, after which production halted and many examples were confiscated or destroyed. Despite its brief production run, the Beta‑Junior demonstrated the ingenuity of Pavel Beneš and contributed to the post‑war revival of Czechoslovak aviation, influencing later trainers such as the Zlín 22 and establishing a legacy of reliable, low‑cost aircraft for flight clubs.
Classification
Dimensions
- Wing Area
- 16.3 square metre
- Length
- 7.6 metre
- Mass
- 440 kilogram
Performance
- Maximum Speed
- 180 kilometre per hour
- Service Ceiling
- 5500 metre
- Range
- 720 kilometre
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1937
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Manufacturer
- Pavel Beneš
- Developer
- Pavel Beneš
- Engine
- Walter Junior
- Wikidata ID
- Q17509347