N581BJ

N581BJ is a Magni M-24 Orion, a single-engine piston aircraft operated by POTTS DONALD E. SkyMeter has tracked 70 flights totalling 71 hours of airtime via ADS-B. Service window in our records spans 396 days. The Magni M-24 Orion has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,234 lb.

About the Magni M-24 Orion

The Mainair Blade is a British weight-shift controlled microlight aircraft, commonly called a flexwing trike, manufactured by Mainair Sports Ltd in Rochdale, England. Introduced in the 1990s as an evolution of earlier Mainair designs, the Blade represents the refined state of the art in three-axis weight-shift control, where the pilot steers by shifting a triangular control frame beneath a Rogallo-style flex wing. With a maximum takeoff weight under 450 kilograms (992 pounds), it sits squarely in the UK's microlight category and similar ultralight definitions worldwide, making it accessible to recreational pilots seeking affordable flight with minimal regulatory burden.

The aircraft typically cruises around 55 knots and never-exceed speed is 87 knots, with a stall speed in landing configuration near 28 knots, performance that favors short-field operations and grass strips over speed. Powered by a single Rotax two-stroke engine (commonly the 582 or 912), the Blade offers open-cockpit flying with tandem seating, appealing to pilots who prioritize the visceral experience of low-and-slow flight over enclosed comfort. Its folding wing and trailer-towable design make it practical for owners without hangar access.

While not breaking records, the Blade exemplifies the enduring popularity of weight-shift microlights in Europe, where thousands of similar aircraft provide an economical entry point into powered flight. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.