Simple, small and quick, the BD5 was always a pilot’s aeroplane and the model is no different.
Not yet complete, this design incorporates simple design with strong, laser-cut ply and balsa parts.
Laser-cut short kits will be available when the design is completed and prototypes flown and tested.
Just email us for details.
Bede BD-5J Microjet – Design, Development, Production and Performance
The Bede BD-5J is one of the most recognizable homebuilt aircraft ever designed. Conceived by American aircraft designer Jim Bede, it was developed from the piston-powered BD-5 into a tiny single-seat jet aircraft. Measuring just over 13 ft (4.0 m) in length and weighing less than 1,000 lb (454 kg) fully loaded, it remains one of the world’s smallest manned jet aircraft.
Although the BD-5 program was plagued by development and financial difficulties, the BD-5J became an aviation icon through its remarkable performance, extensive airshow appearances, and its starring role in the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy.
Origins
In the late 1960s, Jim Bede sought to create an affordable, high-performance personal aircraft that could be sold as a kit. His goals included:
- fighter-like appearance
- exceptionally low drag
- very high performance
- simple all-metal construction
- low purchase cost
- homebuilder-friendly assembly
The original BD-5 was announced in 1970, generating enormous interest. Thousands of enthusiasts placed deposits, making it one of the most successful kit aircraft launches in history. More than 5,000 kit orders and approximately 12,000 expressions of interest for a proposed factory-built version were reportedly received.
Evolution into the BD-5J
The original aircraft was intended to use a small piston engine driving a pusher propeller. However, persistent engine supply and reliability problems delayed deliveries.
Jim Bede realised that the compact fuselage could also accommodate a small turbojet. Development therefore began on the BD-5J (“Acrostar Jet”), using a French-designed Microturbo engine.
The resulting aircraft offered dramatic performance while retaining the tiny dimensions of the original BD-5.
Design Philosophy
The BD-5J was designed around five key principles:
- minimum drag
- extremely low structural weight
- maximum speed from modest thrust
- fighter-like handling
- compact dimensions
Unlike conventional light aircraft, almost every feature was optimised for speed rather than payload or practicality.
Airframe
Fuselage
The aircraft uses an all-metal semi-monocoque aluminium fuselage.
Features include:
- flush-riveted skin
- streamlined nose
- extremely small frontal area
- mid-mounted engine
- rear jet exhaust
- bubble canopy
The pilot sits in a semi-reclined position, reducing frontal area and improving aerodynamics.
Wing
One of the most unusual aspects of the BD-5 is its interchangeable wing concept.
Three wing options were developed:
- Short wing (“A”) for high-speed aerobatics
- Long wing (“B”) for cross-country efficiency
- Intermediate 17-foot wing for the BD-5J
The jet version adopted the intermediate wing because it provided:
- acceptable take-off performance
- improved low-speed handling
- reduced stall speed
- good manoeuvrability
Flight testing also led to changes in the tail configuration after early stability issues with the original V-tail design. Many completed aircraft were fitted with a conventional tailplane to improve stability and control.
Cockpit
The cockpit is intentionally minimalist.
Typical equipment includes:
- basic flight instruments
- engine gauges
- retractable tricycle landing gear controls
- throttle quadrant
- radio
- optional modern EFIS systems on rebuilt aircraft
The large acrylic canopy provides outstanding visibility in all directions.
Landing Gear
The BD-5J features hydraulically actuated retractable tricycle landing gear.
Advantages include:
- very low aerodynamic drag
- clean appearance
- improved cruise performance
The nose gear retracts rearwards while the main wheels retract into the fuselage.
Powerplant
The original production jet used the:
Microturbo (Sermel) TRS-18-046 “Cougar”
Typical thrust:
225 lbf (1.0 kN)
Later restorations and updated aircraft have also used:
- PBS TJ100
- other small turbojets with thrust in the 240–340 lbf range
The jet engine’s low thrust relative to its weight meant the aircraft relied heavily on its exceptionally low drag for performance.
Aerodynamics
The aircraft was remarkably advanced for its size.
Design features include:
- laminar-flow wing
- flush riveting
- very small wetted area
- retractable landing gear
- carefully faired canopy
- clean engine installation
These features enabled cruise speeds comparable with much larger light jets despite the modest engine thrust.
Structural Design
The airframe is built primarily from:
- aluminium alloy sheet
- aluminium extrusions
- machined fittings
- steel landing gear components
The structure was intentionally simple to suit amateur construction, although many builders found that achieving the required precision was more demanding than expected.
Production History
The BD-5 program encountered significant commercial problems.
Major issues included:
- repeated engine changes
- supplier failures
- extensive redesign
- financial pressures
- certification delays for the proposed factory-built version
Bede Aircraft entered bankruptcy in the mid-1970s before fulfilling the majority of orders. While several thousand kits were shipped, only a few hundred aircraft were ultimately completed by builders. The BD-5J itself was produced only in small numbers, with many examples assembled from kits over subsequent decades.
Typical Specifications (BD-5J)
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
| Length | 13 ft 3 in (4.05 m) |
| Wingspan | 17 ft (5.18 m) |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (approx. 1.7 m) |
| Empty Weight | 425 lb (193 kg) |
| Maximum Take-off Weight | 910 lb (413 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | Approximately 32 US gal (121 L), depending on configuration |
| Engine | Microturbo TRS-18-046 Cougar turbojet |
| Thrust | 225 lbf (1.0 kN) |
Performance
| Performance | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Speed | 330 mph (531 km/h) |
| Cruise Speed | 320 mph (515 km/h) |
| Stall Speed (clean) | 81 mph (130 km/h) |
| Stall Speed (landing) | 71 mph (114 km/h) |
| Range | 550 miles (885 km) |
| Rate of Climb | 2,400 ft/min (12.2 m/s) |
| Service Ceiling | Approximately 25,000 ft (7,600 m) |
| Take-off Roll | 1,100 ft (335 m) |
| Landing Roll | 800 ft (244 m) |
Flying Characteristics
Pilots describe the BD-5J as:
- exceptionally responsive
- very sensitive in pitch and roll
- requiring accurate speed control
- demanding during landing because of its small wing and relatively high approach speed
- surprisingly smooth in cruise
Its short moment arm and compact dimensions make it far less forgiving than conventional light aircraft, and it is generally considered suitable only for experienced pilots.
The James Bond Connection
The BD-5J achieved worldwide fame when it appeared in the opening sequence of the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy. Test pilot Corkey Fornof performed the flying sequences, demonstrating the aircraft’s ability to operate from remarkably confined areas. The appearance transformed the BD-5J into a popular aviation icon and significantly increased public awareness of the design.
Legacy
Although the BD-5 program did not achieve the commercial success envisioned by Jim Bede, its influence on sport aviation has been substantial. The aircraft demonstrated that a practical homebuilt microjet was feasible and inspired later designs such as the SubSonex and the FLS Microjet, both of which adopted similar design philosophies while incorporating modern materials, engines and avionics. Today, the BD-5J remains a sought-after collector’s aircraft, prized for its unique combination of compact size, jet performance and distinctive appearance.