Photograph:
Prototype of the Bede BD-6 N6BD in the United States of America (Bede Aircraft)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Single-seat light homebuilt monoplane
Power Plant:
One 41 kw (55 hp) Hirth 2703 two-cylinder, two-stroke, in-line, piston-ported, electronic dual-ignition, fan-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan:6.55 m (21 ft 6 in)
- Length: 5.11 m (16 ft 9 in)
- Height: 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 5.16 m² (55.5 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 225 km/h (140 mph)
- Cruising speed at 2,285 m (7,500 ft):225 km/h (140 mph)
- Stalling speed: 82 km/h (51 mph)
- Rate of climb: 274 m/min (900 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 4,265 m (14,000 ft)
- Range with 30 mins reserve: 724 km (450 miles)
- Fuel capacity: 76 litres (16.6 Imp gals)
- Take-off roll: 137 m (450 ft)
- Landing roll: 152 m (500 ft)
- Empty weight: 170 kg (375 lb)
- Loaded weight: 295 kg (650 lb)
History:
The Bede BD-6 was a single-seat scaled-down development of the popular BD-4 series of light amateur-built aircraft designed in the United States. Introduced to the range in 1975 the series was built and marketed by Bedecorp of Medina, Ohio, USA and was of all-metal construction, supplied in kit form. Engines in the 30 kw (40 hp) to 67 kw (90 hp) range could be installed. A number of aircraft built have been fitted with the 52 kw (70 hp) Xenoah, 48 kw (65 hp) Continental, and HKS 700E engines.
Construction was simple and was similar to the BD-4. It was available in kit form. Fuel capacity was 76 litres (16.6 Imp gals)and a tricycle undercarriage was usually installed.
First example of the type seen in this region was VH-PYH³ (c/n 1026) registered to its owner/builder at Heathridge in Western Australia on 18 January 2002. It remained on the register until 14 January 2005 when it was noted on the Civil Aircraft Register as exported to New Zealand. However, it has not since been registered in New Zealand and its subsequent fate is not known. It is also not known if it was completed and flown before being shipped to New Zealand. This is thought to be the only BD-6 kit imported to this part of the world.
At the Sun ‘N Fun International Fly-in at Lakeland in Florida in April 2019 Bede Aircraft was marketing the BD-6 to interested builders in kit form.