The Bede BD-3 is a prototype six passenger homebuilt aircraft.

BD-3
Role Homebuilt aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Bede Corporation
Designer Jim Bede
First flight 1965
Status Prototype only

Design and development

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The BD-3 is a six place, low wing pusher configuration aircraft with tricycle landing gear. The aircraft is powered by two engines driving a single shrouded pusher propeller connected with V belts and overriding clutches. The aircraft uses STOL Boundary layer control devices. The fuselage was built using aluminum honeycomb. Bede intended to scale up a turboprop variant for 15 and 24 passengers. The BD-3 prototype was sold to the EAA AirVenture Museum,[1][2] although by 2013 it did not appear on the museum's list of aircraft owned.[3]

Variants

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Bede XBD-2
Flying prototype - Twin Continental O-300
BD-3
Production model

Specifications (BD-3)

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Data from Air Progress, Flying

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 5 passengers
  • Length: 30 ft 8 in (9.35 m)
  • Wingspan: 38 ft 5 in (11.71 m)
  • Height: 12 ft 4 in (3.76 m)
  • Wing area: 192 sq ft (17.8 m2)
  • Gross weight: 4,300 lb (1,950 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 116 U.S. gallons (440 L; 97 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Lycoming IO-540-B1A-5 horizontally opposed piston aircraft engine, 290 hp (220 kW) each
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Hartzell - Aluminum

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 260 kn (300 mph, 480 km/h)
  • Stall speed: 36 kn (42 mph, 68 km/h)
  • Range: 1,100 nmi (1,270 mi, 2,040 km)
  • Service ceiling: 28,000 ft (8,500 m)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Air Progress: 31. November 1978. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ Flying Magazine: 105. November 1962. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ "Aircraft Collection". AirVenture Museum. Retrieved December 23, 2013.