N2468Z, my Bede BD-4C, flew for the first time this afternoon 😀
It’s been a seven year journey!
My Bede BD-4C flew well. It is light on the controls and fairly leaped off the ground, what with being light weight (one person and half fuel) and having a cold day (dense air). The takeoff was a little squirrelly because I had a left crosswind and pretty much all of my fuel in the left wing but once I got that squared away, it was very responsive. I took three circuits around the field and made a no-flaps landing: 95 knots down final, 85 across the numbers, touched down about 500 feet later, and easily made the turn onto the taxiway at mid-runway, 1700 feet from the threshold.
Other than a recalcitrant propeller governor and one oil fitting that has a small leak, there were no squawks. I landed early because I could not control the RPM right; it was either at or above red line or slumping down around 1400 and trying to go lower. Once I get the prop governor fixed, I will be back in the air.
If you want to know more about the flight, jump on over to my Test Flight #1 post.
Of course, I have video, too. If you just want to watch the good parts, the takeoff is at 2:45 and the final approach begins at 6:35.
Bonus picture, courtesy of Google Earth:
Congratulations on the first flight. Great to see her up in the air. Now to explore…
I am soooo proud and impressed with you. What an incredible accomplishment! Congratulations and yes, you both look jubilant! Beaming with joy!
Fair weather flying,
Ruth and Matt
Now that the first flight is
over, I don’t have to worry
about it any more.
Congratulations!
Art,
Congratulations! I’ve been following your progress through the Aeroelectric List.
Looks great! I’m sure you’ll get the governor sorted out quickly. Happy the first flight went safely.
Hope to follow shortly myself with my long-suffering Glasair Super II F/T.
Art,
Congratulations on your first flight. Quite the accomplishment and a lot of sticktuitness!
Congratulations on your first of many flights. Where do I sign up for a ride in that beauty
Congratulations Art!
I LOVED getting this email notification! Congratulations!
This is so very exciting! I think the Google Earth flight track image is really cool too.
-Destiny
Congrats. You are inspiring!
CONGRATULATIONS ART AND CANDY!
Great to see it in the air. That smile is going to be permanent.
Congrats, Art! Even without paint she’s a beauty.
✔✔✔✔
Well done, let the next adventure begin.
I’ve been considering a bd4 build, your project has been an inspiration to me .
Tim Glenn
Well done! I may not understand the jargon, but the pictures are unambiguous.
Er, I bet every pilot could figure this out, but in that Google Earth image, did you take off to the right or the left?
Very cool!
Those are my simple words of awe and great praise for an amazing feat. I had no idea that behind your kind and wise list posts full of expertise was a whole other expertise!
Wishing you many happy flights, all successful and fun.
Fantastic. Too bad this didn’t happen three months ago. My dad would have been so thrilled to hear about this and see pictures. He used to fly. I’ll be duly impressed for the of us!
Did you dad fly a BD-4?
That is fabulous Art!!! I don’t think those smiles could get any bigger!!!
Congratulations!!!
Looks beautiful Art.
Congratulations and enjoy many happy hours.. Hope the prop control is fixed so you can go again.
Sorry for the delay, lost your email.
Best regards, Frank
PS will look for you at 02MO!