The long-lasting debate on the Befana flight issues – An overview

Among the oddest flying objects recorded so far (the XF-85 Goblin, Santa’s raindeer-
towed sled, coleoptera, inter alia), the “Befana” is perhaps the less known.
According to ancient documents and common beliefs, the Befana name is used to
designate a complex flying system including at least three main components: the
Befana herself, her flying broom and an huge pannier – the cargo bay.

Befana is said to be a very old woman performing two basic roles: to pilot the flying
broom and to gradually deliver the payload she picks-up from the pannier according
to a complex delivery order including considerations exceeding the scope of this short
study.
The piloting techniques the Befana is using during her once-in –a-year missions are
strictly linked to the very peculiar flight control laws and flight rules of the flying
broom. So it would be better to explain them simultaneously.
Apparently, the flying broom only can be flown into a gravitational field and in
atmosphere. This is due to the simple fact the Befana is sitting on the flying broom
fuselage without any pressurised cockpit, while the flight control is obtained by
moving the centre of gravity of the whole system by body and limbs motion (plus a
supposed thrust control). Conceptually simple, this flight control system requires high
skill and quick reaction time by the pilot; and it is surprising to consider what an old
woman can do when provided with the well-suited equipment. Piloting the flying
broom could recall the hang-glider manoeuvring; with a not negligible difference,
however: while the hang-glider centre of gravity is very low, being under the main
structure and so ensuring a significant stability, the Befana-flying broom system is
intrinsically unstable, with most of the weight well over the main structure. This is
believed to be designed to grant high manoeuvrability in very low level flight around
house roof’s chimney stacks.
Also, the flying broom features the hovering and vertical landing capabilities required
by its mission profile; while it is supposed it would perform short take-off; this
depending from its home base nature.
This very interesting STOVL vehicle has a very compact size: a maximum length of
about 2 m (6’ 8”) is reported, with a fuselage diameter of about 5 cm (2”) and tail
diameter of about 35 cm (1’ 2”) seem to be likely; but not empty weight or MTOW
data are available. The longitudinal stability should be provided by the aerodynamic
effect of the increasing diameter towards the rear end.
The deepest mystery still shrouds the power plant of the flying broom. In spite of the
fact it operates at low level in the atmosphere, no propeller nor air-breathing device
are apparent, so suggesting a sort of rocket propulsion should be installed. This
assumption could be supported by some unconfirmed reports about a long starry trail
observed behind the flying Befana. A rocket motor could not grant the very long range
of the flights the Befana is performing, however; at least with the currently available
technologies. On the other hand, the absolutely noiseless flight of the Befana makes
several more questions to arise about the very nature of the power plant and the flight
in the atmosphere in itself: while the flying broom is very streamlined, the whole
system of the flying broom with the Befana and pannier over it is not, and the
medium-to-low level, high speed flights during the transfer segment of the missions
should produce significant aerodynamic noise.
So it must be concluded that, as in the case of the coleoptera, according to our
knowledge the Befana could not fly in the manner she is reported to do. But she do it.
Though we have less recorded eye-witness than in the case of the coleoptera…