Veteran kitplane designer Jim Bede has begun flight testing his latest creation, the BD-17 Nugget lightweight single-seat sport aircraft.
Flight testing began on 11 February at the Las Cruces, New Mexico, base of BedeAmerica Aerospace, the first BD-17 dealer and builder assistance centre.
Three more BD-17s will be produced for flight testing and customer demonstrations. The aircraft is scheduled to make its public debut at Sun 'n Fun on 8-14 April in Lakeland, Florida.
Bede plans to offer four different engines ranging from 30-60kW (40-80hp). The prototype is powered by a 45kW HKS-700, a Japanese two-cylinder, four-stroke engine weighing 50kg (110lb). Cruise speed with this engine is 130kt (240km/h) and range is 1,130km (610nm).
The low-wing, all-metal aircraft is designed for easy amateur construction. The fuselage is made up of eight honeycomb panels which are assembled by a simple tongue-and-groove method, says Bede. Empty weight is 195kg and normal gross weight 340kg.
Source: Flight International
