Pavel Beneš
Beneš-Mráz Be-250
The Beneš‑Mráz Be‑250, designed and produced by Czech aeronautical engineer Pavel Beneš in the early 1950s, represents a pivotal step in post‑war light aircraft development for Czechoslovakia. Built at the Beneš‑Mráz factory in Choťov, the Be‑250 was conceived as a two‑seat, low‑wing monoplane intended for sport flying, pilot training, and liaison duties. Its airframe employed an all‑metal semi‑monocoque construction, a departure from the wood‑based designs that dominated the pre‑war era, while retaining a simple, rugged design that could tolerate the limited maintenance infrastructure of regional aeroclubs.
Power was supplied by a 115‑horse‑power Walter Minor 4‑III inline engine, driving a two‑blade, variable‑pitch propeller that gave the aircraft a respectable cruise speed of 225 km/h and a range of roughly 800 km. The cockpit featured dual controls, a modest instrumentation suite and a bubble canopy that offered excellent visibility, attributes that made it popular among flight schools. Although only a few hundred units were produced before the program ended in 1960, the Be‑250’s blend of modern materials, reliable performance and ease of handling helped modernize Czechoslovakian general aviation and laid the groundwork for later Beneš‑Mráz designs that continued to influence Eastern European light aircraft manufacturing.
Power was supplied by a 115‑horse‑power Walter Minor 4‑III inline engine, driving a two‑blade, variable‑pitch propeller that gave the aircraft a respectable cruise speed of 225 km/h and a range of roughly 800 km. The cockpit featured dual controls, a modest instrumentation suite and a bubble canopy that offered excellent visibility, attributes that made it popular among flight schools. Although only a few hundred units were produced before the program ended in 1960, the Be‑250’s blend of modern materials, reliable performance and ease of handling helped modernize Czechoslovakian general aviation and laid the groundwork for later Beneš‑Mráz designs that continued to influence Eastern European light aircraft manufacturing.
Classification
Dimensions
- Wing Area
- 14 square metre
- Length
- 7.55 metre
- Mass
- 840 kilogram
Performance
- Maximum Speed
- 235 kilometre per hour
- Service Ceiling
- 5000 metre
- Range
- 700 kilometre
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 1
- First Flight
- 1936
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Pavel Beneš
- Developer
- Pavel Beneš
- Engine
- Walter Major 4
- Wikidata ID
- Q2441414