Someday when i am able to afford my first aircraft it will be on your recommendation from these videos that will help me pick the right one. Thank you so much for the amazing information and entertainment!
This has been my "goal" airplane for a number of years now, glad to finally see a Complete Walkaround video of it! It looks so "ugly" because the sharp angles are meant to reduce manufacturing complexity and therefore build time, reportedly making it easier for newer or less experienced builders to finish.
I would encourage you to look up a BD-4C build vlog(There is a current one on RU-vid). It's pretty obvious the BD-4C is a rudimentary kit, and despite the marketing I would not consider it on par with Vans, Rans or Zenith kits. They say the design is supposed to be less complex, but the kit requires a lot of part fabrication (I.e. Making brackets out of sheet metal ect.)
@@TheOwenMajor It is still easier to build, and whole lot cheaper than RV10 (33% cheaper). There is a lot less riveting needed, and fabrication is really simple, using the same tools you need to assemble that RV kit.
@@vasicp Again, I would encourage you to look up an actual build video. I know the marketing, I was looking into a kit myself. But in reality, you will see that the "kit" isn't much more than a parts list from Spruce. Everything needs to be cut to length, nothing is self-jigging, all holes need to be self-drilled and measured to fit. It's barely a kit. Right now the BD-4 "kit" is really just one step above scratch building from plans. (Oh and the plans are often wrong too)
@@TheOwenMajor There is a public blog, documenting the entire build process of the BD-4C. It is quite clear that a lot is done by the kit manufacturer (wing ribs, wing skins, vertical stabiliser / rudder, horizontal stabilator, gear, cowling, all framing pieces for the fuselage). Yes, you have to drill your holes, but that's just one step below the pilot holes provided on other, much more expensive kits by Kitfox, Van's or Zenith. Don't forget, this was originally only plans, scratch-built design (made popular through the original Jim Bede book "Build Your Own Airplane"). Kits were offered much later, and the current kit maker seems to be responsible and supportive (COVID-induced disruptions to supply chain notwithstanding...). It's the cheapest real 4-place homebuilt kit out there.
@@TheOwenMajor That is 100% absolutely not true. This plane can be built from scratch using just the plans, (which is where you'd source the parts yourself), but you can also buy 100% of the parts (in the kit form) directly from Bede Corp. Each subkit includes everything needed to fully assemble that part of the plane, including the rivets, screws, nuts, Proseal, etc. It's really the only company that sells everything from the plans only to full kits, including any builder assistance you might want to employ.
You forgot to mention that that ugly fuselage contributes to 20% of the lift, which really adds to the efficiency of this plane, compared to more beautiful planes that don’t get lift from the fuselage.
I'm surprised how, given the same engine, more interior room than a DA-40, a bit higher useful load - this thing somehow retains a similar cruise speed! Also a higher stall speed that the IO-360 powered Diamond, true, but not by much. Are all of Diamondstars' super-smooth curves just for looks and marketing? Would it fly just as fast with a rectangle cross-section and a flat windshield???
@@CompleteWalkaround Whoops, oversight on my part. Thought the BD-4C is advertised with the same Lycoming IO-360 (or carbeurated O-360), which is 180hp either way, although fuel efficiency is less on the carbed one. Never heard of a 200hp O-360...
You can't have both (high-speed cruise and STOL) with such low fuel consumption. This is for people who want to travel far. In America, there are over 12,000 public airports, almost half of them with asphalt (or concrete) runways. And BD4C can safely land even on well-maintained grass or dirt.
Some people call it the flying shoebox. It is (arguably) the cheapest four-seat high-wing kit you could build, flies quite fast with just 180hp engine, and cruises at barely 10 gallons per hour. And when you arrive and it's raining, you don't have to get everyone (plus your upholstery) drenched before you can open your umbrella (and close the plane canopy/doors).
@@CompleteWalkaround I hope the aligator was more enjoyable to create 😆 I don't know if I could handle more than three examples with the 3rd catching me off-guard for a good laugh.
@@CompleteWalkaround Almost every airport I visit in my BD4 I get people coming up to me asking what kind of plane it is. Several times this has included corporate pilots stepping out of their jets and approaching me to ask questions. When I tell them how fast it is and how little fuel it burns(8.5 GPH at 12,000 feet 165+ TAS) their eye's light up even more. Once you can see past it's shape(which does grown on you) and see how fast, how far, how high it goes and how much it can carry it puts a smile on your face every time. I can fly from the San Fran bay area to Sedona, AZ on about 30 gallons in about 4.5 hours. Your numbers were a little off on buying a used one. It's not too hard find a decent flying plane for around $40-45K. You will never find an RV with the same(similar) performance specs for that price. But to each his own. Thanks for reviewing in the BD-4. I hope you get to fly in one someday. I'd be happy to give you a ride in mine. I promise not to tell your friends =P
@@CompleteWalkaround I did. Especially the RV-10! I retire in 2 year and plan (hope/wish) to build one. I enjoy your videos (and the RV-14a coffee mug)
I Built and Fly the older model, sometimes referred to at the BD-4B .... it's not as ugly In the taildragger configuration. the rounded windshield modification (B model) helps with speed and it looks better too. With proper fairings, wheel pants and drag reduction. The claimed performance numbers are achievable. My aircraft N579SC can easily meet or exceed all the specification claimed by BD for the C model. I believe one of the differences between the C and the B is that the C is slightly wider. C are newer and there for, cost significantly more than the older B model. Both are great flying, efficient, and fast aircraft that can be amature built. I have about 1700hrs flying mine
I know you don't like it but a flat windscreen produces less drag than a curved one. But the main consideration on this aircraft was to make it easy to build. And (match hole CNC kits aside) it was very quick and easy to build for its day. People could build these in half the time people took to complete Mustang IIs and T-18s
The BD-4 bears a creepy resemblance to the Wittman Tailwind. Steve Wittman's famous design from the 1940's in which he and his wife both lost their lives because of an incipient failure of the main wing spar on their way to Oshkosh. Better read Earnie Gann's "Fait is the Hunter" rather than start you're homebuilt project. AIR JAGRAF/X ✈️
Hard to evaluate it's cost of operation in the U.S. or Western world, as, I don't think it's certified for such. Cost of annual for the An-2? "Boris, what's an annual? You've been flying this thing for 20 years, you gotta know?" "Nah, never heard of such a thing!"
Bd4 always looked to borrow elements from Steve Whitman Tailwind … scaled up for 4 Place. Or maybe it’s a stripped down Piper Pacer with cantilever wings and a bigger engine
I love this plane and will someday own one. I like it mainly because of the performance it has while having 4 seats and also because it's odd and looks like it's made out of some boxes.
You ever flown in one? I'm asking because the main wing spar goes right threw the cabin right behind the pilot's head. It seems to me in turbulence you might be bashing your head.
@@TheOwenMajor I haven't flown in one but when I was sitting on one at their Akron facility my head was BEHIND the spar with the seat back, so I think I'd be ok
I purchased an unfinished BD-4 rebuild project. Had a 230hp Chevy V6 aeroconversion. but i had some life stuff happen and had to sell before it was finished. The guy i sold it to finished it and told me it cruised at 200-210mph. Max speed was 235. He used it for ten years and sold it. The new buyer took the 230hp V6 out and put a 180hp Lycoming in. Unfortunately he didnt sell the custom modified all aluminum V6. He f***ing scrapped it! All because he doesn't like aeroconversion automotive engines, "its just a cheap crappy car engine". He did at least not scrap the carbon fiber cowling, somebody got a hell of a deal though, said he sold it for $200.
The design is from the late 1960. It was radical because it appeared on the market as a book "Build Your Own Airplane", which contained complete instructions and plans for building it. The design was greatly simplified in order to allow anyone with decent set of tools in their garage, and basic home improvement skills to just go into a Home Depot with their station wagon, buy the materials (C and L profiles, metal sheets, bolts, screws, rivets, etc.), take it home, cut according to plans and bolt it all together. Hundreds of them have been built and are flying. They only started selling kits much later.
Even if you dislike this airplane, THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO!!!!!!! 🎉😊 Once you get past the box shape this aircraft is a much more affordable sling tsi with room and more fuel at a much cheaper price! Of course you will be flying a cube. But I love my boxy cars also!
@@CompleteWalkaround I moved to Germany, moving back to USA soon. Your humor is great! "alligator" haha! ^_^ I think this plane has the performance of a Sling TSI but with an "Everyman's" price point. 80 gallons of fuel, 10 - 12 gal an hour, fast (and yes hot) 160 - 170 knots cruise (realistically 160-ish knots), and roomier than a c182. You're completely right that its an "Odd duck" but for those looking for Mooney like specks with C182 like roominess the BD4C fits the mission at the right price. I was able to carry myself and 3 other fat guys (+200lbs) no problem. Luggage on the BD4C is tiny but I hope to add a belly-pod to address that. Again GREAT VIDEO! I hope more people Google this airplane and find out how great it is! For those looking through the googles, their website can be hard to find so.... www.jimbede.com/bd-4c.html
im a huge fan of the kit experimentals...i sort of want to go for a bushcat in the future, assuming i dont need to be anywhere fast. would love to see a video on it if you've got the time xD
