bd-4
Question:
Philip, If you can get a copy of this months Sport Aviation (Oct. 99), on page 39 there is a very good article about a company bringing the airplane back into production as a kit. If you don’t have access to the magazine, here is their address and particulars so you can call or write them. Charles Musitano, President Tennessee Valley Aviation Products, Ltd. 2225 Drake Ave. Suite 17 Huntsville, Al. 35805 Phone 256-704-2728 or 256-881-6578 Fax: 256-704-8828 Good luck with your search. It should be a great comeback! Jim Baker
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am buying plans for a BD-4. The plane seems to fit all my needs without lot compromises. I am trying to find people who have build the Aircraft. I am joining the EAA chapter, but no one has build the plane. Can the aircraft be from just plans? Does anyone know of any to be finished planes out there for sale? It looks to be a very simple plane to build. Has anyone had any experience?
Response:
I am buying plans for a BD-4. The plane seems to fit all my needs without lot compromises. I am trying to find people who have build the Aircraft. I am joining the EAA chapter, but no one has build the plane. Can the aircraft be from just plans? Does anyone know of any to be finished planes out there for sale? It looks to be a very simple plane to build. Has anyone had any experience?
Response:
Philip, I have build a BD-4 It took me about 5 years. If you get a copy of the Book "Build your own airplane" by James R. Bede it would be of great help it also has a copy of the plans in it. The book is out of print, but I have seen copies around for sale. If you have access to a sheet metal sheer and a bending break and you know how to use them, you can fab most of the parts yourself. Some of the more difficult parts (such as the wing spars) you can find for sale from builders or new from Dream Aircraft. It’s a wonderful aircraft, it has taken me and my family on many vacations, we have two children, they ride in the back. I have over 800 hours on it now and have flown it to Mexico and Canada ( we have a 1000 mile range) it cruises at 170-180 mph at 8000 feet. I have a Lyc 0360 and can lift over 1000 lbs. I use the aircraft in the Young Eagles program and have given many young poeple thier first flight. It also serves as our families major transportion to our summer cabin in Sunriver, Oregon. My daughter used it for part of her science experiment on weightlessness last year. If you can’t tell by now I think you made a great choice in the BD-4 Good luck Mahoney (anti-spam), at panmed.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am buying plans for a BD-4. The plane seems to fit all my needs without lot compromises. I am trying to find people who have build the Aircraft. I am joining the EAA chapter, but no one has build the plane. Can the aircraft be from just plans? Does anyone know of any to be finished planes out there for sale? It looks to be a very simple plane to build. Has anyone had any experience?
Response:
Hey Phillip, Would happen to have some pics of your BD-4 that you can scan and send my way? I’d like to post them in the picture gallery of my BD-5 web site, where I keep some BD-4 stuff as well. 
Juan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Philip, I have build a BD-4 It took me about 5 years. If you get a copy of the Book "Build your own airplane" by James R. Bede it would be of great help it also has a copy of the plans in it. The book is out of print, but I have seen copies around for sale. If you have access to a sheet metal sheer and a bending break and you know how to use them, you can fab most of the parts yourself. Some of the more difficult parts (such as the wing spars) you can find for sale from builders or new from Dream Aircraft. It’s a wonderful aircraft, it has taken me and my family on many vacations, we have two children, they ride in the back. I have over 800 hours on it now and have flown it to Mexico and Canada ( we have a 1000 mile range) it cruises at 170-180 mph at 8000 feet. I have a Lyc 0360 and can lift over 1000 lbs. I use the aircraft in the Young Eagles program and have given many young poeple thier first flight. It also serves as our families major transportion to our summer cabin in Sunriver, Oregon. My daughter used it for part of her science experiment on weightlessness last year. If you can’t tell by now I think you made a great choice in the BD-4 Good luck
Response:
Tell me where to find pictures of the BD-4 an where I can get plans, please. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey Phillip, Would happen to have some pics of your BD-4 that you can scan and send my way? I’d like to post them in the picture gallery of my BD-5 web site, where I keep some BD-4 stuff as well. Juan Philip, I have build a BD-4 It took me about 5 years. If you get a copy of the Book "Build your own airplane" by James R. Bede it would be of great help it also has a copy of the plans in it. The book is out of print, but I have seen copies around for sale. If you have access to a sheet metal sheer and a bending break and you know how to use them, you can fab most of the parts yourself. Some of the more difficult parts (such as the wing spars) you can find for sale from builders or new from Dream Aircraft. It’s a wonderful aircraft, it has taken me and my family on many vacations, we have two children, they ride in the back. I have over 800 hours on it now and have flown it to Mexico and Canada ( we have a 1000 mile range) it cruises at 170-180 mph at 8000 feet. I have a Lyc 0360 and can lift over 1000 lbs. I use the aircraft in the Young Eagles program and have given many young poeple thier first flight. It also serves as our families major transportion to our summer cabin in Sunriver, Oregon. My daughter used it for part of her science experiment on weightlessness last year. If you can’t tell by now I think you made a great choice in the BD-4 Good luck
Response:
I have very few pictures of them on my web site at www.bd5.com. As to the plans, I don’t know who has any right now. 
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tell me where to find pictures of the BD-4 an where I can get plans, please. Hey Phillip, Would happen to have some pics of your BD-4 that you can scan and send my way? I’d like to post them in the picture gallery of my BD-5 web site, where I keep some BD-4 stuff as well. Juan Philip, I have build a BD-4 It took me about 5 years. If you get a copy of the Book "Build your own airplane" by James R. Bede it would be of great help it also has a copy of the plans in it. The book is out of print, but I have seen copies around for sale. If you have access to a sheet metal sheer and a bending break and you know how to use them, you can fab most of the parts yourself. Some of the more difficult parts (such as the wing spars) you can find for sale from builders or new from Dream Aircraft. It’s a wonderful aircraft, it has taken me and my family on many vacations, we have two children, they ride in the back. I have over 800 hours on it now and have flown it to Mexico and Canada ( we have a 1000 mile range) it cruises at 170-180 mph at 8000 feet. I have a Lyc 0360 and can lift over 1000 lbs. I use the aircraft in the Young Eagles program and have given many young poeple thier first flight. It also serves as our families major transportion to our summer cabin in Sunriver, Oregon. My daughter used it for part of her science experiment on weightlessness last year. If you can’t tell by now I think you made a great choice in the BD-4 Good luck
Response:
Hello! I’ve got a poor start on a web site at http://www.fastlanta.com/~napierm/bd4/bd4.htm where every web site I know of is listed. You can scratch build a BD-4, but there are many unfinished projects out there. Obviously the kit is going to be a much better deal for quality (the parts will be pre-cut, tooling holes, not 30 year old materials, etc.) but the cost of an older project will be much less. The real expert on building these airplanes died this summer in a rotorcraft accident. Roger Mellema built at least two, worked on many others, published the BD-4 newsletter for years and was always very patient with questions. This is what he told me when I first asked about the plane: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – These are one of the easiest planes to build. It is hard to do anything wrong. It is easy to take apart and fix anything you don’t like the look of. The material is readily available and inexpensive. Very little welding. Really one of the best types of construction for homebuilders. What kinds of things should I be looking for and asking about? Usually you worry about leaky fiberglass wings but now you have the option of makings sure they don’t leak! Metal wings are good. Just use Pro-Seal for seal them. How do you like your planes? I don’t know what else I would have. Nothing really compares as far as speed and economy for the money. I like the simplicity. I first had an O-360 with a constant speed prop. It cruised at 190 mph…. it is very well faired-in.
I’ve come to the same conclusion. On a speed * payload/cost basis, it is hard to beat. I you want to start a new kit, talk to Tenn. Valley Aviation (I would call them first); also there are the following: Jim Bede BD-4 Aircraft 568 Larkspur Ct. Medina, OH 44256 phone: 330-725-1382 Sometimes he does reprint the "Build Your Own Airplane" book. Dream Aircraft 616-454-7747 Scott or John (616)776-0840 po box 1923 Grand Rapids MI 49501-1923 This is a shared venture with their "Creative Ice" machines, so just ask to talk to Scott or John. I know they have sold spars and plans in the past. Johnny at Northwest Aero Products (360)805-8183 He’s working on a Chevy V6 package for the plane that should be very hot when done. All of these guys have been very willing to talk at length and answer questions even when it is fairly obvious I’m not going to contribute to their cash flow; all have a love of aviation ’cause you sure don’t make much money doing this! Also, you can do a search for "BD-4" on deja news in RAH and get some info. Hope some of this helps, Mark Napier Tell me where to find pictures of the BD-4 an where I can get plans, please.
Before you buy.
Response:
Recently saw an article….BD4 kits will again be availble (presumably plans also)…don’t remember if I saw it in Kitplanes or Sport Aviation..check both….latest issues. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tell me where to find pictures of the BD-4 an where I can get plans, please. Hey Phillip, Would happen to have some pics of your BD-4 that you can scan and send my way? I’d like to post them in the picture gallery of my BD-5 web site, where I keep some BD-4 stuff as well. Juan Philip, I have build a BD-4 It took me about 5 years. If you get a copy of the Book "Build your own airplane" by James R. Bede it would be of great help it also has a copy of the plans in it. The book is out of print, but I have seen copies around for sale. If you have access to a sheet metal sheer and a bending break and you know how to use them, you can fab most of the parts yourself. Some of the more difficult parts (such as the wing spars) you can find for sale from builders or new from Dream Aircraft. It’s a wonderful aircraft, it has taken me and my family on many vacations, we have two children, they ride in the back. I have over 800 hours on it now and have flown it to Mexico and Canada ( we have a 1000 mile range) it cruises at 170-180 mph at 8000 feet. I have a Lyc 0360 and can lift over 1000 lbs. I use the aircraft in the Young Eagles program and have given many young poeple thier first flight. It also serves as our families major transportion to our summer cabin in Sunriver, Oregon. My daughter used it for part of her science experiment on weightlessness last year. If you can’t tell by now I think you made a great choice in the BD-4 Good luck
Response:
My October issue of "Sport Aviation" *finally* showed up. On page 39 there is a brief on the new BD-4 kit. Also in the front there is an obituary for Roger Mellema. They do mention that he won the CAFE race in his class 2 years running and won the overall Lopresti trophy. What they didn’t mention is the last year he did that flying the BD-4 he beat out a designer named Burt Rutan flying a very efficient airplane called the Defiant. Not too bad. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Recently saw an article….BD4 kits will again be availble (presumably plans also)…don’t remember if I saw it in Kitplanes or Sport Aviation..check both….latest issues. Tell me where to find pictures of the BD-4 an where I can get plans, please. Hey Phillip, Would happen to have some pics of your BD-4 that you can scan and send my way? I’d like to post them in the picture gallery of my BD-5 web site, where I keep some BD-4 stuff as well. Juan Philip, I have build a BD-4 It took me about 5 years. If you get a copy of the Book "Build your own airplane" by James R. Bede it would be of great help it also has a copy of the plans in it. The book is out of print, but I have seen copies around for sale. If you have access to a sheet metal sheer and a bending break and you know how to use them, you can fab most of the parts yourself. Some of the more difficult parts (such as the wing spars) you can find for sale from builders or new from Dream Aircraft. It’s a wonderful aircraft, it has taken me and my family on many vacations, we have two children, they ride in the back. I have over 800 hours on it now and have flown it to Mexico and Canada ( we have a 1000 mile range) it cruises at 170-180 mph at 8000 feet. I have a Lyc 0360 and can lift over 1000 lbs. I use the aircraft in the Young Eagles program and have given many young poeple thier first flight. It also serves as our families major transportion to our summer cabin in Sunriver, Oregon. My daughter used it for part of her science experiment on weightlessness last year. If you can’t tell by now I think you made a great choice in the BD-4 Good luck
Before you buy.
Response:
Thanks for all the great info.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello! I’ve got a poor start on a web site at http://www.fastlanta.com/~napierm/bd4/bd4.htm where every web site I know of is listed. You can scratch build a BD-4, but there are many unfinished projects out there. Obviously the kit is going to be a much better deal for quality (the parts will be pre-cut, tooling holes, not 30 year old materials, etc.) but the cost of an older project will be much less. The real expert on building these airplanes died this summer in a rotorcraft accident. Roger Mellema built at least two, worked on many others, published the BD-4 newsletter for years and was always very patient with questions. This is what he told me when I first asked about the plane: These are one of the easiest planes to build. It is hard to do anything wrong. It is easy to take apart and fix anything you don’t like the look of. The material is readily available and inexpensive. Very little welding. Really one of the best types of construction for homebuilders. What kinds of things should I be looking for and asking about? Usually you worry about leaky fiberglass wings but now you have the option of makings sure they don’t leak! Metal wings are good. Just use Pro-Seal for seal them. How do you like your planes? I don’t know what else I would have. Nothing really compares as far as speed and economy for the money. I like the simplicity. I first had an O-360 with a constant speed prop. It cruised at 190 mph…. it is very well faired-in. I’ve come to the same conclusion. On a speed * payload/cost basis, it is hard to beat. I you want to start a new kit, talk to Tenn. Valley Aviation (I would call them first); also there are the following: Jim Bede BD-4 Aircraft 568 Larkspur Ct. Medina, OH 44256 phone: 330-725-1382 Sometimes he does reprint the "Build Your Own Airplane" book. Dream Aircraft 616-454-7747 Scott or John (616)776-0840 po box 1923 Grand Rapids MI 49501-1923 This is a shared venture with their "Creative Ice" machines, so just ask to talk to Scott or John. I know they have sold spars and plans in the past. Johnny at Northwest Aero Products (360)805-8183 He’s working on a Chevy V6 package for the plane that should be very hot when done. All of these guys have been very willing to talk at length and answer questions even when it is fairly obvious I’m not going to contribute to their cash flow; all have a love of aviation ’cause you sure don’t make much money doing this! Also, you can do a search for "BD-4" on deja news in RAH and get some info. Hope some of this helps, Mark Napier Tell me where to find pictures of the BD-4 an where I can get plans, please. Before you buy.
