Bede BD-1

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The BD-1 was the first design of American aeronautical engineer Jim Bede. The BD-1 was designed in 1960 as a kit-built aircraft intended for home assembly by amateur builders. Design goals included a kit price of $US 2500, including a rebuilt 100 hp (75 kW) engine and a cruise speed of 130 knots (240 km/h).

Construction features

The BD-1 was a low-wing monoplane of all-metal construction, utilizing aluminium honeycomb construction and a laminar flow wing. The aircraft was designed to be predominantly of bonded, rather than riveted, construction. It featured a sliding canopy and two seats. The aircraft was designed to be towed behind a car to allow it to be stored at home in a garage and thus reduce hangarage costs. To facilitate this goal the aircraft had folding wings and a horizontal stabilizer of less than 8 foot (2.4 meter) width. It was designed to be fully aerobatic as well and was stressed for 9g (90 m/s²).

Many parts of the BD-1 were interchangeable to simplify production. For example the wings were interchangeable as were the fin and horizontal tail. The ailerons and flaps were interchangeable and the rudder and elevators were as well. Many aerodynamic and handling compromises were made to achieve this commonality of parts and trailer-ability.

Development

The BD-1 was never developed beyond prototype stage and no kits were produced. The company Bede founded to produce the BD-1 kits eventually became American Aviation and they pursued FAA certification under FAR 23 for the design so that completed aircraft could be sold. Due to financial problems Bede was forced out of the company and the BD-1 was redesigned.

Redesign by American Aviation

During the redesign process the aircraft was modified so that the wings did not fold, making it easier to achieve certification. Other changes included a longer wing to improve rate-of-climb, an anti-servo tab on the elevator along with an elevator centering spring system to increase longitudinal stability and stall strips to improve the stall performance. The resulting aircraft entered production in the fall of 1968 as the 1969 model American Aviation AA-1 Yankee Clipper.

The BD-1's Legacy

While the BD-1 never did enter production itself, it has had a lasting impact on light aircraft production and spawned a whole series of off-spring designs including the Grumman American AA-1, AA-5, and Gulfstream American GA-7 Cougar The ultimate derivative design remains in production through 2006 as the Tiger Aircraft AG-5B Tiger.

Specifications (BD-1)

General characteristics

Crew: 1 pilot
Capacity: 1 passenger
Length: 19 ft 3 in (5.87 m)
Wingspan: 23 ft 6 in (7.17 m)
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.92 m)
Wing area: 94 ft² (8.74 m²)
Empty: 812 lb (367 kg)
Loaded: 1,375 lb (623 kg)
Maximum takeoff: 1,375 lb (623 kg)
Powerplant: Lycoming O-235-C1, 108 hp (81 kW)

Projected performance

Maximum Speed: 156 mph (250 km/h)
Range: 694 miles (1,111 km)
Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5490 m)
Rate of climb: 1150 ft/min (351 m/min)
Wing loading: 14.5 lb/ft² (70.7 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.08 hp/lb (0.13 kW/kg)