Bede BD-8
Bede Aircraft · United States · first flew 1980 · light aircraft
The Bede BD-8 was an aerobatics aircraft developed in the United States in the mid-1970s. It was a low-wing, single-seat monoplane of conventional configuration, though very short-coupled, and of all-metal construction.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 5.31 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-seat low-wing aerobatic monoplane
- Very short-coupled airframe
- Single 200 hp Lycoming IO-360 flat-four engine
Look for a very short, stubby single-seat low-wing monoplane with a span of 5.94 m.
Specifications
- The Bede BD-8 has a length of 5.31 m (17 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 5.94 m (19 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 346 km/h (215 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The prototype was under construction by Jim Bede when Bede Aircraft faced bankruptcy in 1977. The incomplete BD-8 was bought by Mike Huffman, who completed it in 1980. It first flew on 14 May 1980.
Variants
Only one BD-8 was built.
Where you'll see it
The single prototype was powered by a 200 hp Lycoming IO-360-A1A flat-four engine.
Related aircraft
- Bede BD-12
- Bede XBD-2
- Akaflieg Braunschweig SB-12
- BN-2T Turbine Islander
- Chotia Gypsy
- Délémontez-Cauchy DC.1
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