Bede BD-12

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]

BD-12
The BD-12 prototype
Role Homebuilt aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Bede Aircraft
Designer Jim Bede
Status Production completed
Number built One
Unit cost
US$33,450 (1998)
Developed from Bede BD-5
Variants Bede BD-14

Design and development

Designed 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

In 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.[3]

Variants
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)

Data 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)
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References
  1. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 346. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  2. Bede Corp. "BD-12/14". Archived from the original on 2015-04-16. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  3. Federal Aviation Administration (15 April 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 15 April 2015.
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