The Next Generation BD-4C

ENGINEERED TO FAR-CERTIFIED STANDARDS, HOMEBUILT NEEDS

Design parameters were to build the safest aircraft possible using the most economical and easy-to-work aviation-grade materials. Specially designed parts are limited, including the aluminum honeycomb-construction ribs and the tubular spar for the new all-metal wings. Although the BD-4C meets or exceeds the structural requirements for certified aircraft as specified in FAR - Part 23, it is not certified, and is intended for construction and operation only as an amateur-built airplane.  

THE WING – A LITTLE BIT OF HONEY

Forget rivets. The all-metal wings of the BD-4C are tough and smooth. 0.50 inch metal honeycomb panels are used to fabricate the ribs, which are bonded to the famous Bede tubular spar with the same adhesive used in US military fighters, and then the metal skin is bonded to the edges of the ribs and rear spar. This design results in a "wet" wing, with far lower drag than the original. The new wing is available in kit form from BedeCorp, or visit our Build Center for explicit help which usually takes 3 days. 

TAIL SECTION

The vertical and horizontal tails now come bonded and ready to go at no extra charge.  

Take a BD-4C Engineering Walk-Around: 

FUSELAGE

• All-metal internally stressed design.
• Designed for home shop construction. No welding, no complicated jigs.
• Gusseted and bolted aluminum frame angles form "erector set" safety cage.
• Sleek bonded .016 and .020 aluminum skin, blind-riveted load-carrying components.
• Cockpit can be upholstered and trimmed to production aircraft standards.
• Spacious instrument panel accommodates IFR components. (Insert photo of panel)

• Second generation Jim Bede-designed all-metal "wet" cantilever high wing design with a 64-415 modified airfoil.
• The bonded wing skin is rivet-free except for the trailing edge spar. Ribs are one-half inch aluminum honeycomb.
• Ten, 20, and 30-degree flap deflection.
• Flaps and ailerons, designed to be interchangeable, are torque-tube controlled. Rugged ready-to-mount 6.5-inch O.D. tubular main wing spars of 6061-T6 aluminum are sleeved for fast assembly to fuselage spar. Three-piece spar assembles quickly, is light and strong and permits foldable wing option.

EMPENNAGE:

• Horizontal stabilator all-flying design with 2.5-inch OD 2024-T3 center spar.
• 63 009 airfoil. 36-inch chord, 88-inch span.
• Strong, light aluminum honeycomb ribs.
• Fin, rudder and stabilator are bonded to ribs; load-carrying components are blind-riveted
• Comes Preassembled

LANDING GEAR: The BD-4C can be built in either tricycle gear or tail-wheel configuration. New landing gear strut design for main gear S-Ply and nose wheel absorbs high loads, assuring smooth operation during rough-field takeoffs and landings.  

FUEL: Standard fuel capacity is 48 gallons, using wing tanks in six between-the-ribs wing bays. However, it is possible to expand fuel capacity using as many as ten bays in 160-HP and-up configurations, giving the plane a nine-hour cruising range with a restricted cabin weight envelope. 

NEW REVISED BD-4C DRAWINGS: Below you will find two examples of the new fuselage drawings for the BD-4C Plans. 

Drawings:
Click Image Below for Larger Picture

Click Image Below for Larger Picture