The aircraft was originally called the Pluto by Bortolanza when he first designed it in the mid-1980s. Later it was known as the Drakken (Swedish for "dragon") before being renamed Puma.[1][3][5][6]
The aircraft is made with an aluminum wing and composite fuselage. Its 27.9 ft (8.50 m) span wing has an area of 124 sq ft (11.5 m2) and flaps. Standard engines available are the 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL and the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS and Rotax 912iSfour-stroke powerplants, plus the 115 hp (86 kW) Rotax 914turbocharged engine. Originally there was a factory-supplied kit that was 90% complete and required the builder to paint the airframe and procure and install the engine and instruments. By 2015 the aircraft was only available factory-built.[1][5][7][8][9]
In November 2017 there were three advanced ultralight and two limited category BDC-built Pumas registered with Transport Canada, all built by BDC between 2010 and 2016. There was one BDC-built Puma registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration in 2013. In addition Canada had one Bortolanza Puma, built in Italy in 2007, on its register.[11][12]
Variants
Aeroplast Pluto A-65
Original model, designed by Antonio Bortolanza and produced by Aeroplast in Italy, with a 450 kg (992 lb) gross weight for the European microlight category. Powered by a 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 or a 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL.[1][3][5][6][13]
Aeroplast Drakken
Model designed by Antonio Bortolanza in Italy.[1][5]
Bortolanza Puma
Model designed and built by Antonio Bortolanza in Italy, with a 560 kg (1,235 lb) gross weight for the Canadian advanced ultralight category. At least one built in 2007.[2][14]
BDC Aero Puma Advanced Ultralight
Redesigned model produced by BDC Aero Industrie in Lachute, Quebec, Canada, with a 560 kg (1,235 lb) gross weight for the Canadian advanced ultralight category. Three built, one in 2010 and two in 2011.[1][3][8][5][12]
BDC Aero Puma LSA/Limited
Redesigned model produced by BDC Aero Industrie in Lachute, Quebec, Canada, with a 600 kg (1,323 lb) gross weight for the Canadian limited category and the US LSA category. Two built in 2013 and one in 2016.[1][3][8][5][11][12]