pylon500

VH-PIG has been a range of aircraft including a C-150, a Pitts S2S, and a Vans RV-7A...

'VH-POX'

That's interesting, I always thought VH-POX was either a Heinz CH300 or Tri-Z?

It was a homebuilt made by a gynaecologist I had heard, sadly passed away last year 😱

And VH-POK appears to be a C-206, and other variations, PQX, PQK are also Cessna's.

I wonder how recently the top photos were taken?

Soar Aviation 🤔

The girl built that BD5J long before Soar existed.

Took this photo at Canberra early 2007.

All 'specs' need to be taken with an American pinch of salt (a bucket).

I have spoken to BD-5 owners, and the numbers, while still impressive are usually nowhere near Jim Bede's comments.

Stalls are typically between 65~85kts, depending on wing type (four or five to choose from, A, B, D, J & S).

Quoting one owner;

My BD-5a, first flew in June 1997 after four and a half years of construction. It was a third hand, untouched partial kit when I bought it for $500. This isn't an easy plane to build, but aftermarket support and parts are available. No complete kits were delivered by Bede Aircraft before they folded in the mid 80s. However, they shipped over four thousand partial kits, so many original ones are still available. Full kits are now available from Bede Micro Technologies in Oregon. Alturair, in ElCajon, Ca. also provides parts.

My example is powered by a Rotax 583 turning a Prince 43x43 P-tip prop. Modifications to the design include stretched "A" wings with a 19' span and a leading edge cuff, all pushrod stabilator control, and a reshaped aft fuselage.

Unlike its popular reputation, this is an excellent handling and easy to fly plane. It's quite stable and has perfect control harmony! Mine has an empty weight of 510 lbs., stalls at 80 mph. and cruises at 170. ROC is 950 to 1,000 fpm. Best glide is a 15/1 ratio at 120 mph.

Much as I still love the aircraft (I've got sort of two kits), it's nowhere near an RAAus type aircraft, and really needs a lot of work to make it more 'usable' with it's assorted maintenance problems, buckling skins, leaking tanks, etc.