09/30/2010. Remarks by
Johan Visschedijk: "With the idea of building the best European racer, Xavier Beck, President of the Association des Pilotes d'Avions de Formules, started construction on his first single-seat Formula One-racer on March 12, 1999, assisted by a number of people specialized in composites, welding and engines. Referred to as the BKSUT Eileisson, the aircraft was one of the few such designs to appear in Europe.
The aircraft had a steel tube fuselage which was largely based on that of the famous Cassutt Special design, but featured all composite wings and fuselage covering.
(F-PXAV) (
Walter van Tilborg Memorial Collection)
Powered by an 100 hp Continental O-200-A engine, and registered F-PXAV on June 28, 2000, the aircraft was first flown at Nevers on October 5, 2000. After several modifications to the aircraft, which was listed as Racer number "17", Beck became French Formula One champion for 2003, and 2004. On August 24, 2007, the aircraft was sold to Xavier Beyer of Saint-Jean-des-Ollières.
Beck constructed the second example, pictured on top of the page, that was mainly built to participate in the famous Reno races in the USA. This aircraft had an all composite construction with the same wing span as the first aircraft, but was of reduced length, while it was also fitted with one 100 hp Continental O-200-A engine. Registered F-PVIT on June 20, 2005, the aircraft was first flown the same month.
Beck was the organizer of the 58th edition of "Legend'Air", a European meeting of homebuilt aircraft and vintage aircraft, held at Nevers, France, July 15 to 17, 2005. Unfortunately, while in the circuit for landing on the last day of the meeting, the aircraft crashed, Beck sustained multiple fractures, the aircraft was badly damaged. By March 2008 Beck had completely recovered, but the aircraft was not rebuilt, its fate is unknown."
