The BD-4 is one of the first true “kit plane” homebuilt aircraft. This means that the buyer did not just receive a set of plans, but an entire kit with all the parts needed to build the plane. The first kits were sold in 1968 and the aircraft remains popular today even though the kits are no longer available. The BD-4 enjoys one of the best safety records of all homebuilt aircraft, and this combined with the ease of construction and a long list of optional equipment explains the aircraft’s continued popularity fifty years after its introduction.
Wingspan
25 ft 6 in.
Length
21 ft 4 in.
Height
7 ft 3 in.
Weight
2,000 lbs (loaded)
Maximum Speed
183 MPH
Service Ceiling
23,000 ft
Range
900 miles
Engine
One Lycoming O-360-A1F6 with 180 horsepower
Crew
4
Manufacturer Bede Aircraft Company
Markings Wright/Hartman, 1999
Designation BD-4
Registration N42EE
Serial Number 382
Pima Air & Space Museum
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