How Much Does a Bede BD-4C Cost?

If you’re in the market for a high-wing, four-seat experimental plane, you might have heard of the BD4C. While it may not win any beauty contests, the BD4C is known for its performance, with the ability to cruise at 150 knots or more for less than 10 gallons an hour. This is thanks in part to its short wings, which produce less drag than larger wings and are better suited for flying fast.

One thing to keep in mind is that the BD4C is a bit on the expensive side, with a kit costing around $40,000 and a complete plane with a slick IFR panel going for around $150,000. However, it’s still a popular choice among experimental plane enthusiasts due to its performance and roominess. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the BD4C and compare it to other experimental planes, as well as provide a cost analysis and personal opinion.

Key Takeaways

• The BD4C is a high-wing, four-seat experimental plane known for its performance and roominess.
• Its short wings produce less drag than larger wings, making it better suited for flying fast.
• While it may be on the expensive side, the BD4C is still a popular choice among experimental plane enthusiasts.

Bd4C Overview

If you’re in the market for a four-seat experimental high wing plane, the bd4c might be of interest to you. This plane is known for its performance, being able to cruise along at 150 knots or more for less than 10 gallons an hour. The bd4c is also fairly roomy and fast, making it a popular choice among experimental plane enthusiasts.

One thing to note about the bd4c is its appearance. Some might say it’s not the most beautiful plane out there, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Despite its appearance, the bd4c’s performance numbers are impressive, both those reported by owners and the ones that the marketing team wrote on the website.

The bd4c is equipped with a 200 horsepower o360 engine, which provides ample thrust. The real drag savings come from the fact that the wings are short, just 26 feet. Small wings produce less drag than big wings, making them good at flying fast but less good at flying slow. This also means that the bd4c has a high wing loading, which requires it to go faster to produce enough lift to fly.

The bd4c is an experimental plane, which means that it’s not certified by the FAA and can only be flown for personal use. However, it’s still a fairly expensive plane to purchase and build. A bd4c kit costs around $40,000 without an engine or panel, and it can cost close to $100,000 to complete. If you want a slick IFR panel, you’re looking at around $150,000.

Overall, the bd4c is a good choice for those looking for a fast and roomy experimental plane. While it might not be the most beautiful plane out there, its performance numbers make up for its appearance.

Performance

The BD4C is known for its good performance. With a cruise speed of around 150 knots, it can cover a lot of ground quickly. The fuel efficiency is also impressive, with less than 10 gallons per hour. If you push the fuel delivery, you can get close to the advertised top speed of 200 miles per hour. This level of performance is similar to most two-place fan airplanes.

The key to the BD4C’s performance is its thrust-to-drag ratio and weight. The plane has a 200 horsepower O360 engine, which provides plenty of thrust. The drag reduction on the BD4C comes from the wings, which are short at just 26 feet. Small wings produce less drag than larger wings, which makes them better for flying fast. However, they are not as good for flying slow or for takeoff and landing.

The BD4C does not have retractable gear, which is a common way to reduce drag. However, the wings are designed to have minimal drag, with few rivets and a short span. This design is similar to the ZRV10, which has wings that are about six feet longer than the BD4C. The Wing loading ratio is also high on the BD4C, which means it needs to fly faster to produce enough lift to take off and land.

The BD4C is an experimental plane, and it is surprisingly expensive for its basic design. The kit costs around $40,000 without an engine or panel, and it can cost close to $100,000 to complete. With a slick IFR panel, the cost can be as high as $150,000. Despite the high cost, the BD4C is popular among fans of experimental planes for its great performance and unique design.

Overall, the BD4C is an odd-looking but high-performing plane. Its performance numbers are impressive, and it is relatively fuel-efficient. The design is not perfect, but it works well for the intended purpose of fast, experimental flight.

Thrust Vs Drag

When it comes to fast planes like the BD4C, the key to their speed is a matter of thrust versus drag. The BD4C is known for its good performance, being able to cruise at 150 knots or more, but the real question is how it achieves this speed.

One way to reduce drag is through the use of retractable gear, but the BD4C doesn’t employ this method. Instead, the BD4C reduces drag through its short wings, which produce less drag than larger wings. However, this design also means that the BD4C is less effective at flying slowly and has a higher wing loading, requiring higher speeds for takeoff and landing.

Despite its good performance and relatively low cost, the BD4C’s design may not be for everyone. Its short wings and unconventional appearance may not appeal to everyone’s taste. Nonetheless, for those who appreciate the BD4C’s unique design, it remains a popular choice in the experimental aircraft community.

Wing Design and Influence

The BD4C is known for its fast performance and roomy four-seat experimental high wing design. Despite its unique appearance, the BD4C’s small wings produce less drag than larger wings, making it an ideal choice for flying at high speeds. The ratio of weight to wing area, known as wing loading, is relatively high for the BD4C, meaning it needs to fly faster to produce enough lift to take off and land.

While retractable gear is a good way to reduce drag, the BD4C’s drag reduction lies in its short wingspan of just 26 feet. This design feature produces less drag and allows the aircraft to fly faster with less fuel consumption. The lack of rivets in the wings also contributes to the drag reduction.

Compared to other popular four-seat experimental aircraft, such as the RV10, the BD4C’s wings are about six feet shorter. This makes the BD4C better suited for flying at higher speeds but less effective at flying at slower speeds.

Despite its great performance and relatively low cost, the BD4C is not without its drawbacks. The aircraft’s basic design and kit cost around $40,000, with a total cost of close to $100,000 to complete. The BD4C is also an experimental aircraft, meaning it requires more maintenance and is subject to stricter regulations.

Overall, while the BD4C’s appearance may not be everyone’s cup of tea, its unique wing design and performance make it a popular choice among experimental aircraft enthusiasts.

Comparison with Other Experimental Planes

When compared to other experimental planes, the BD4C stands out for its performance and affordability. It is a four-seat high wing plane that can cruise at around 150 knots using less than 10 gallons of fuel per hour. It can even reach close to the advertised speed of 200 miles per hour if the fuel delivery is increased.

The BD4C’s drag reduction lies in its short wings, which produce less drag than larger wings, making it good for flying fast. In comparison, the popular four-seat experimental plane, the RV10, has wings that are about six feet longer than the BD4C, resulting in a higher wing loading and the need to fly at higher speeds during takeoff and landing.

Although the BD4C is experimental, it is surprisingly affordable, with a kit costing around $40,000 without an engine or panel and around $100,000 to complete. For those looking for a more advanced panel, the price can go up to $150,000.

Overall, while the BD4C may not be the most aesthetically pleasing plane, its performance and affordability make it a popular choice among experimental plane enthusiasts.

Cost Analysis

If you’re considering purchasing a BD4C kit, it’s important to understand the associated costs. The kit itself is priced at around $40,000, but this does not include an engine or panel. To complete the kit, you can expect to spend close to $100,000, or $150,000 with a slick IFR panel.

While the BD4C is not the most expensive experimental aircraft on the market, it’s important to note that prices for completed planes tend to fall within the same range as building costs. This is similar to other two-place experimental planes.

Despite its basic design, the BD4C is known for its impressive performance numbers. Owners report cruising speeds of 150 knots or more while using less than 10 gallons of fuel per hour. Additionally, the BD4C’s short wingspan helps to reduce drag and increase speed.

Overall, the BD4C is a solid choice for those looking for a fast and efficient experimental aircraft. However, it’s important to note that the BD4C’s unique design may not be appealing to everyone.

Personal Opinion

The BD4C is a fairly roomy experimental high-wing plane that is known for its performance. It can cruise along at 150 knots or so for less than 10 gallons an hour. The BD4C has a 200 horsepower O360 engine, which makes it a fast plane. Its drag reduction lies in the wings, which are short and produce less drag than big wings. However, the BD4C’s design is not aesthetically pleasing to everyone. Despite its great performance numbers and low cost, some people find it unattractive. The BD4C is an experimental plane that is not for everyone, but it is worth considering if you are looking for a fast and affordable plane.

Conclusion

In summary, the BD4C is a four-seat experimental high wing airplane known for its performance and roomy interior. Despite its unconventional appearance, the BD4C can cruise at 150 knots while using less than 10 gallons of fuel per hour. The drag reduction in the BD4C comes from its short wings, which produce less drag than larger wings.

Compared to other four-place experimental airplanes, such as the RV10, the BD4C has a higher wing loading, which means it needs to fly faster to produce enough lift to take off and land.

Although the BD4C kit is expensive, it is a popular choice among experimental airplane enthusiasts due to its performance and experimental nature. However, the BD4C’s appearance is not universally admired, with some finding it unattractive and even “uncanny.”

Overall, the BD4C is a unique and high-performing experimental airplane that may not be for everyone, but is certainly worth considering for those looking for a fast and roomy four-seater.