The Bede BD-12 was an American homebuilt aircraft designed by Jim Bede and produced by Bede Aircraft of Medina, Ohio, introduced in the 1990s. The aircraft was intended to be supplied as a kit for amateur construction, but only one was ever built.[1][2] It first flew in 1995.[3]
| BD-12 | |
|---|---|
| |
| The BD-12 prototype | |
| Role | Homebuilt aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Bede Aircraft |
| Designer | Jim Bede |
| First flight | 1995 |
| Status | Production completed |
| Number built | One |
| Developed from | Bede BD-5 |
| Variants | Bede BD-14 |
Design and development
editDesigned as a scaled-up Bede BD-5, the BD-12 featured a cantilever low-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit under a gull-wing canopy, retractable tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1]
The aircraft was made from fibre-reinforced plastic composite materials. Its 23.0 ft (7.0 m) span wing, mounted flaps and had a wing area of 93.0 sq ft (8.64 m2). The standard engines used were the 100 hp (75 kW) Continental O-200A or the 150 hp (112 kW) Lycoming O-320 powerplant.[1]
The aircraft had a typical empty weight of 680 lb (310 kg) and a gross weight of 1,310 lb (590 kg), giving a useful load of 630 lb (290 kg). With full fuel of 37 U.S. gallons (140 L; 31 imp gal) the payload for the pilot, passenger and baggage was 408 lb (185 kg).[1]
The standard day, sea level, no wind, takeoff with a 150 hp (112 kW) engine was 725 ft (221 m) and the landing roll was 800 ft (244 m).[1]
The company that currently owns the rights to the design, BedeCorp, indicates that production was not started due to the cost of tooling and the lack of funds.[2]
The design was further developed into the Bede BD-14, a four-seat version.[1][2]
Operational history
editIn April 2015 no examples were registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration, although one had been registered to the designer at one time.[4]
Variants
edit- BD-12B
- Version with 100 hp (75 kW) Continental O-200A engine.[1]
- BD-12C
- Version with 150 hp (112 kW) Lycoming O-320 engine.[1]
Specifications (BD-12)
editData from AeroCrafter[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m)
- Wingspan: 23 ft 0 in (7.01 m)
- Wing area: 93.0 sq ft (8.64 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 5.7:1
- Empty weight: 680 lb (308 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,310 lb (594 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 37 U.S. gallons (140 L; 31 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-320 four cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 150 hp (110 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 215 mph (346 km/h, 187 kn)
- Cruise speed: 200 mph (320 km/h, 170 kn)
- Stall speed: 54 mph (87 km/h, 47 kn) clean
- Range: 800 mi (1,300 km, 700 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 21,000 ft (6,400 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,850 ft/min (9.4 m/s)
- Wing loading: 14.0 lb/sq ft (68 kg/m2)
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 346. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
- ^ a b c Bede Corp. "BD-12/14". Archived from the original on April 16, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ "Bede BD-12". www.airwar.ru. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (April 15, 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved April 15, 2015.