Single-engine aircraft BD-5

jetsingle-seatLSA

The BD-5 was designed in 1973, and proved to be an extremely popular aircraft. The BD-5 is small and lightweight, and can be either single seat propeller or jet driven. The jet version is listed in the Guinness book of records as the world's smallest jet. When it was introduced in the early 1970's, it became an immediate international sensation. Before the first prototype flew, the company already had over 800 orders. Altogether, the company has obtained 3,000 orders for the kit version and over 6,000 orders for a fully manufactured version. The airplane is very unique and unlike any other home-built or factory made aircraft. It is a beautiful looking airplane, but more important is a very lovely airplane to fly. It's flying qualities are spectacular. The landing gear is all mechanical and retracts in less than a second. The jet version was used on a variety of jet teams; one sponsored by Bede Aircraft, and one sponsored by Coors. The BD-5 was used in the movie with James Bond called “Octopussy”. The aircraft was available with two different size wings. The BD-5A had a wingspan of 14 ½ feet and the BD-5 B had a wingspan of 21 feet. The BD-5J, the jet model of the aircraft, had a wingspan of 17 feet. In spite of the fact that the aircraft flew so well, it ran into a serious problem. The engine originally planned for the aircraft was a twin cylinder two cycle engine by Hirth of Germany. Very quickly after Hirth had started delivering engines for the BD-5, it was forced into bankruptcy and could not continue production. Bede Aircraft attempted to find a second source for the engine with a Japanese company called Zenoah.