I live in Mougins, just behind Cannes, and work in the yacht industry. Flying is the antidote to harbour logistics: down there it's thirty knots of wind and three subcontractors on the phone, up there silence and a plan.
Before the Blackshape I leased an SR22 — beautiful aircraft, but more than my typical legs need. The Prime BK160 is a third of the acquisition cost and matches my profile: tandem, quiet Rotax, IFR-capable glass cockpit, exquisite carbon finish. I'm a designer by training; the material convinces me physically.
Standard weekend loop: Cannes-Mandelieu LFMD out over the sea, stop at Fayence LFMF for breakfast, on through the Var valley north or across Corsica to Italy. Rome-Urbe LIRU is two hours twenty away — a realistic day trip for a meeting with the Italian yards.
Cannes-Mandelieu has strict noise restrictions — many classic GA engines fit the profile poorly. The Rotax 915iS with constant-speed prop is a real advantage here, and the Mandelieu crew greet the aircraft accordingly.
In typical cruise I'm at FL080 doing 150 knots — Blackshape publish 295 km/h, in practice I measure a touch under depending on altitude and load. The tank gives a good five hours, which is more reserve than most of my routes ever need.
Cannes-Mandelieu LFMD is home — water inbound, the Esterel massif off the right wing, lounge feel on the ground. Slot discipline is strict; produce a single delay and you know the consequences.
Fayence LFMF is my favourite breakfast field — historic gliding airfield in the Var, both asphalt and grass strips, apron restaurant, Alpine-foothill backdrop. Rome-Urbe LIRU is my Italy link; Mali Lošinj LDLO a longer leg for an Adriatic week in summer.
Before ordering the Prime I seriously considered the Blackwing BW 650 — same Rotax lineage, same carbon DNA, but UL with 600 kg MTOM, side-by-side, shorter range. For weekend hoppers along the Côte the BW 650 is wonderful. For me, with occasional Mediterranean crossings and IFR training hours, the Prime's Echo certification and extra 150 kg MTOM were the cleaner answer.
The tandem geometry suits my style — I fly solo most of the time, and when a passenger comes along they sit behind me with their own view and no intercom quartet in the cockpit.
“On the approach into Mandelieu, the Prime feels as if it already knows the terrain.”
What I'd do differently today: a leaner initial spec, six months of flying, then upgrade. I ticked every option at delivery — I've only ever used half of them.
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