There are plenty of pictures to go along with much of this information, but I do not have a scanner and will have to borrow one to do them a bit at a time.
The links to each item will be enabled as I transcribe them into my computer. Check back every once in a while for new enabled links.
Note that I do not take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usability of the information presented here for any purpose. The information is here for historical purposes only and should not be relied upon for any other purpose. Nevertheless, if you find any inaccurate or incorrectly transcribed information on this area of the web site, please be so kind as to notify me by email using the icon link at the bottom of this page.
Official BD-5 Test Flights Report by Les Berven, Chief Test Pilot, Bede Aircraft, Inc.
What Richard Bach had to say in 1976 about James Bede and the BD-5
Popular Science article on the BD-5, with pictures, courtesy of Gene Hornung
Flight Simulator Models for BD Aircraft
These are PKZIP/WINZIP archives of flight models designed for use with Microsoft's Flight Simulator v4.0. The available models are for the BD-5, BD-5J and BD-10. Click on the link to download the file you want.
Ken Johnson has created models for FS2004 and FS2002. I am not sure if they will work with FS2000. They are available by clicking here.
"Flying" Magazine articles on BD-5, September 1973, "Bede Fever"
"Private Pilot" Magazine article on
BD-5, 1973, with PLENTY of pictures!!
OCR and scans courtesy of Mr. Rolando Benítez of Guatemala
Tool and Supplies Requirements for Construction of a BD-5 Aircraft
Wing Reprofile Modification for the BD-5 NACA 64-212 Airfoil
- Date Published: 1971
- Work in progress on three prototypes
- Variable speed drive system
- Dual engine configuration?
- EAA article on BD-5
- Hangar/Trailer for BD-5
- BD-5 Squadrons
- Group Purchasing Discount
- Intro Price may not hold for long
- Date Published: 1971
- Introductory Order Form
- BD-5 Progress
- Frequenty Asked Questions on the BD-5
- Date Published: September 1971 (?)
- "Open House"
- Status Report - by Jim Bede
- Clarification of Answers on the BD-5
- Ordering Information - BD5A/BD5B
- BD-5 Plans to Include Instructions and Pictures
- BD-5 Story in "Science and Mechanics"
- No Price Increase for 90 days
- New Hangar Facility at Newton, Kansas
- Easy BD-5 Wing Construction
- BD-5 "Micro" Lapel Pins
- Date Published: September 1971
- Successful Open House at Newton
- BD-5 Fuselage Goes All Metal
- New Engine for the BD-5
- BD Flight Test Center in Newton
- News Flash! BD-5 Flies
- Date Published: Not known
- Flight Tests
- Delivery Schedule
- Optional Equipment
- Dealerships
- Increased Gross Weight
- Metal Fuselage
- Engine
- Fuel Tanks
- Newton
- Date Published: Not known (late 1971?)
- The BD-5 Aircraft is Becoming the Most Desired Aircraft Ever Designed
- BD-5 Plans
- Variable Speed Drive System
- Testing Program
- Flight Test Program
- New Engines Announced
- Jim Bede to Visit California
- Canadian License
- BD-5 Air Freight Rates
- Date Published: Not known (early 1972?)
- Introductory Offer Closes March 1, 1972
- BD-5 Seminars
- Tail
- BD-5 Information Memo and Newssheet
- Flight Test Program - Latest Information
- BD-5 Price Still Good
- Fresh Air Ventilation and Heater System
- Delay in Deliveries Announced
- Revised Information Kits
- Date Published: (My copy says March 1972 in pencil)
- BD-5 Status Report
- BD-5 Cockpit Roomier
- Canopy Design Change
- Other Interesting Design Features
- Dual Ignition for the BD-5
- New Test Pilot
- New Information Kit
- Correspondence
- BD-5 Seminar
- BD-5 Dealers
- Where You Can See the BD-5
- BD-5 Information Memo for BD-4 Builders
- Several Pictures
- Date Published: (My copy says April 1972 in pencil)
- BD-5 Flight Test Program
- BD-5 All Set for Delivery
- BD-5 Dealers Being Established
- Dual Ignition
- BD-5 Trailer
- Fuel Capacity Vs. Useful Load
- BD-5 Priority Number Will Be A/C Serial Number
- Date Published: Not known
- First flight of BD-5 production prototype
- Shipping
- BD-5 Engine
- Dual Ignition
- Flutter Test
- Plans and Construction Manual
- Tools
- Date Published: Not known
- First Test Pilot Report
- The BD-5 Development Program
- The New BD-5 Engine
- Date Published: Not known
- 6,000 See the BD-5 Fly, 250,000 Read About It!
- Flight Test Program
- Deliveries
- Price Increase
- Flying the BD-5, Part II
- BD-5 at Kodak World Photo Display in NYC
- BD-5 for College Students
- Date Published: Not known
- Flight Test Program
- Structural Testing
- Flutter Testing
- Flying the BD-5, Part III
- Flight Test Performance Data
- Date Published: Not known
- Third BD-5 Prototype Flies
- BD-5 Log Books Necessary
- BD-5 College Club List Gets Bigger
- Radio-Controlled 1/4 Scale Model Ready for Spin Tests
- BD-5 Confirmed a Homebuilt by FAA
- The BD-5 Engines, Final Report
- Company Activities to Provide Better Customer Service
- Testors Offers BD-5 Scale Model
- BD-5 Plans and Instructions Receive Favorable Comment from British CAA
- BD-5 and the Press
- Date Published: Not known
- Two New Planes at Oshkosh!
- BD-5 Flight Test Report
- Stall Action
- Exhibition License Granted
- This is the Only Official Newsletter
- Oregon Organizes
- AIR PROGRESS Special
- Regarding Missing Materials
- Comment...
- Lots of pics, hopefully I will have time to scan them
- Date Published: 1974
- BD-5 Certification Program Continues
- New BD Publication on a Regular Basis
- New Price Established for BD-5D
- BD-5 Flight Test Program
- BD-5 Jet Flown by Many
- BD-5 Pilot Handbook Coming
- BD-5: Model-T of the Air?
- Builder's Workshop
- BD Speedpants for Cessna
- Latest Version of BD-5 Completed
- How to Check Out in the BD-5
- Date Published: 1974
- BD-5J Demonstration Team
- Triplets! BD-5J Babies Steal the Show!
- James R. Bede Editorial
- BD Trainer Flies at Reading (Too)
- BD Oshkosh Plans Being Finalized
- BD Makes First Appearance at Premium Show
- Flying 'Topless' in BD503
- Spin Recovery Proves Easy for BD-5
- Latest Optional Equipment Catalogue is Available
- Stealing the Show at Reading
- Jet Team Makes Hit at RAS
- "BD Wing" Improves on Hang Gliders
- Space Age Antenna BD-5
- Several New Dealers Join BD
- New "4's" Take to the Air
- BD-5 Price Review in Progress
- "All in All" He's Please with the Whole Venture
- Edo-Air Announces Price Increase
- Lycoming Engine Prices to Increase
- Why No Low-Cost Aircraft
(Note from Juan: This last item on this issue reduces to one page the reason why I firmly believe "Flying" magazine is a worthless rag.)
- Date Published: December 19, 1975
- New Wing
- Heavy Duty Alternator and Dry Vacuum Pump for the BD-5D
- BD-5's Flight Time Increase
- Aircraft Certification Program
- Status of Production
- Metal Propeller
- Pilot's Manual
- Financing Program
- Price Increase of General Aviation Aircraft
- The BD-5D Uses Jet Landing Gear
- Oil Injector Pump
- New Vice-President/General Manager
- New Director of Engineering
- Sales Department
- Engine Certification
- New Optional Systems Defined
- Squadron Formation Announced
- A BD-5 Jet in Europe
- Richard Bach
- Computer Biorhythm Charts Available
- A letter from Bobbie Griffin
- Date Published: 1976 (early in the year?)
- Introduction
- New People
- New Financing
- Open House for Bede Aircraft
- Aviation Consumer
- New BD-4 Manager Takes His First BD-4 Flight
- BD-4 Birthday
- BD-4 Meeting at Oshkosh
- BD-5 Plans
- BD-5 Drive System
- BD-5 Engines for BD-5 Homebuilt
- Hirth Engines for the BD-5 Homebuilt
- BD-5 Forum at Oshkosh
- The BD-5 GAW-2 Jet Wing
- BD-5A Wing
- Package Six
- Shipping Schedule of Optional Equipment Orders
- BD-5D Certification
- Certification of the Xenoah Engine
- GAW-2 Airfoil
- NASA Will Be Testing the BD-5 in the Langley Spin Tunnel
- The Price of the BD-5D
- The Red Carpet Club
- BD-5J
- BD-5J Demonstration
- Show Schedule
- Military Interest in the BD-5 Jet
- Jim Bede Tells About the BD-7
- BD-7 Pricing
- Bede Wing
- BD-5 Pilot Handbook
- Date Published: May 14, 1976
- BD-5D Certification
- BD-5D Manufacturing
- BD-5D Pricing
- BD-5D Wing Change
- Special Parachute Being Designed for BD-5D
- Price Revision on Optional Systems
- Confidential BD-5 Customer Newsletter, March 6, 1972
- BD-5 Flight Test program
- Starting Date of BD-5 Kit Deliveries
- Questionnaire
- Confidential BD-5 Customer Newsletter, May 5, 1972
- BD-5 Flight Test Program
- Open House
- May 15 - Deadline for Newton Move
- Deliveries
- Getting Your "N" Number
- Building Your BD-5
- Change of Address
- Finally - Thanks
- September, 1972
- Flight Test Program
- Open House
- Price Increase
- Movies
- Dealerships
- Shipping
- BD-5 Customer Information Bulletin #1 (Unknown Date)
- Notes on Proper Vertical Centerline for Fuselage Construction
- Notes on Shelf Life and Use of Pro-Seal Types 890 and 408
- BD-5 Customer Information Bulletin #2 (December 6, 1973)
- Materials and Plans
- Optional Equipment Catalog
- Quick Tips
- BD-5 Customer Information Bulletin #3 (February 8, 1974)
- Spin Tests
- FAA Requirement for ELT on Single-Seat Aircraft
- Optional Equipment Catalog
- Supplementary Package #4 being shipped
- Horizontal Stabilizer Plans Being Built
- Quick Tips
- BD-5 Customer Information Bulletin #4 (March 27, 1974)
- First Flights of N503BD
- Checking for Corrosion on Stored Material Packages
- Change to Paragraph 62 of Horizontal Stabilizer Plans
- BD-5 Customer Bulletin #9 (Unknown Date)
- Clarification of Several Areas of Construction
- Correspondence and Phone Calls
- Next Package of Materials
- Machined Parts Available
- BD-5 Customer Bulletin #10 (Unknown Date)
- Machined Parts Information
- Plans Information
- Misprints on the Plans
- Something You Should Know About
- Machined Finished Parts Reminder
- Corresponding with Bede Aircraft
- Explanation of Interest Payment to BD-5 Customers
- A Special Note To All BD-5 Builders
- A and B Wings
- Engine Sizes
- Dual Ignition
- Variable Speed Drive
- Electrical System
- Interest
- Replacement of P/N BD-5M-0014
- New Marketing Manager (November 16, 1973)
- BD-5 Monthly (Newsletter, "January Report")
- Materials
- Optional Equipment and Accessories Catalog
- BD-5J
- N502BD and N503BD Prototypes Flying
- 55HP Engines
- Materials Package #5
- Final Drop Testing of Main Landing Gear
- Construction Profile Drawings
- BD-5D Sales report
- Materials Shipped to All Fully-Paid Customers
- Cut-Off Date for Special $4,400 Price on BD-5D
- BD/Sport-Air Inc. Price List/Catalog (December 1973)
- Explanation of the Bede Aircraft Dealership Program
