History

Man in suit speaking at microphone near a small airplane in a hangar.

Bd-1

The BD-1 was the second aircraft designed by Jim Bede Sr., even though its conception started well before the project was

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Pilot wearing sunglasses sitting in a vintage fighter plane cockpit.

BD-2

The BD-2 is a one-of-a-kind, specially built aircraft. It was built to demonstrate the efficiency of an airplane and its capabilities

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A vintage small airplane on the tarmac under a partly cloudy sky.

XBD-2

Bede Aircraft was asked to develop a STOL aircraft of novel construction, while incorporating boundary layer control. They placed the design

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Person standing beside a small white airplane on a sunny day.

BD-4

The BD-4 is a light general aviation aircraft marketed in the United States for homebuilding since 1968. It was the first

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Small single-engine airplane parked in front of a hangar.

bd-4c

Based on previous work with innovative light aircraft, the BD-1 (eventually developed into the American Aviation AA-1 Yankee) and the BD-2,

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A Bede Flight Test Center sign with aircraft in front.

BD-5

The BD-5 was designed in 1973, and proved to be an extremely popular aircraft. The BD-5 is small and lightweight, and

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Small planes parked near a hangar at an airport.

Bd 6

Starting as a side project in Mr Bede’s shop while the engineering department was occupied with other tasks, the BD-6 was

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A small, vintage single-engine airplane parked on a runway.

BD-7

The BD-7 was developed in the mid-1970s as the follow-up to the BD-5. It was a four-place, home-built, aircraft and incorporated

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Two people inspecting a small white glider with colorful stripes on the wing.

BD-8

The BD-8, a high performance aerobatic aircraft, was developed by BedeCorp in the late 1970’s. This plane was built to rival

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Small white and red airplane parked on grass in front of trees.

BD-9

The BD-9 was designed to be an Ultra-light aircraft. It was funded by a group in Philadelphia who had an excellent

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A fighter jet flying over mountainous terrain.

BD-10

The BD-10 was built by Bede Jet Corporation and features a totally different design from previous Bede designed crafts. This high

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Small white private airplane parked on a runway under clear sky.

BD-12

The BD-12, a two place, and the BD-14, a four place, home-built aircraft that have been thoroughly designed for the home

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Small white airplane with red flames flying over a town.

BD-17

The BD-17 incorporates everything that famed aircraft designer Jim Bede has learned in 45 years of aircraft design and engineering. A

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A small blue and white single-engine airplane in a hangar.

BD-17L

The BD-17L is our LSA version of the original BD-17. The BD-17L is sold as a kit, meaning the 51% rule

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A unique yellow three-wheeled vehicle parked near a brick building.

Litestar

The Litestar prototype was based on a production motorcycle, but “stretched” and surrounded with a fiberglass shell reminiscent of the BD-5.

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