Bede BD-2

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title: "Bede BD-2" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["bede-aircraft", "1960s-united-states-experimental-aircraft", "single-engined-tractor-aircraft", "mid-wing-aircraft", "aircraft-first-flown-in-1967"] topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bede_BD-2" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox aircraft"]

Field	Value
name	Bede BD-2
aircraft_type	Experimental powered sailplane
national_origin	United States
manufacturer	Bede Aircraft
designer	Jim Bede
number_built	1
first_flight	March 12, 1967
developed_from	Schweizer SGS 2-32
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NOTOC | name = Bede BD-2 | logo = | logo_size = | image = | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Experimental powered sailplane | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = United States | manufacturer = Bede Aircraft | design_group = | designer = Jim Bede | builder = | issuer = | status = | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 1 | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = March 12, 1967 | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = Schweizer SGS 2-32 | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = The Bede BD-2 was an American experimental powered sailplane designed by Jim Bede to attempt an unrefuelled round-the-world flight.

Development

The BD-2 was a modified Schweizer SGS 2-32 fitted with a specially modified Continental IO-360-C engine. The BD-2 could carry 565 US gallons (2138 litres) of fuel in wing and fuselage tanks, and the modified engine produced only 30 hp (22.4 kW) during the cruise part of the flight.

The BD-2 made its first flight from Wichita on March 12, 1967. Between November 7 and 10, 1969, the aircraft set a world closed-circuit flight distance record for piston-engined aircraft, in which it covered 8,973.38 miles (14,441.26 km) in 70 hours 15 minutes. The flight had to be stopped following a complete electrical failure, and no further record flights were attempted by Bede.

The BD-2 was modified by Javelin Aircraft of Wichita as the Phoenix, which was used by Jerry Mullens to set a new closed-circuit record for piston aircraft on December 5–8, 1981 of 10,070 mi (16207 km) in 73 h 2 min, which was also the longest non-refueled flight made by a solo pilot at the time.

Specifications (Phoenix)

|ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83 |prime units?=imp General characteristics

|genhide=

|crew=one |capacity= |length m= |length ft=27 |length in=7 |length note= |span m= |span ft=63 |span in=0 |span note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=192 |wing area note= |aspect ratio=20.7:1 |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=1725 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb= |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg= |max takeoff weight lb=5600 |max takeoff weight note= |lift kg= |lift lb= |lift note= |more general= Powerplant

|eng1 number=1 |eng1 name= Continental IO-360C |eng1 type=air-cooled six-cylinder |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=230

Performance

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh= |max speed kts= |max speed note= |max speed mach= |cruise speed kmh= |max speed mph= |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed mph=156 |cruise speed note=at max takeoff weight, 108 mph (94 kn, 174 km/h) at 2,200 lb (998 kg) |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=62 |stall speed kts=54 |stall speed note=at 1,900 lb |never exceed speed = |never exceed speed mph=194 |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |minimum control speed = |range km= |range miles=20,500 |range nmi= |range note=estimated, still air |endurance=120 hr (estimated) |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=1500 |climb rate note=observed/ max takeoff weight |sink rate ms= |sink rate ftmin= |sink rate note= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |disk loading kg/m2= |disk loading lb/sqft= |disk loading note=

|power/mass met= |power/mass imp= |power/mass note= |thrust/weight= |thrust/weight note=

References

Notes

Bibliography

References

1. ''Flight International'' 30 March 1967, p. 477.
2. Taylor 1976, p. [72].
3. (10 October 2017). "Jerry D. Mullens (USA) (3786)".
4. Taylor 1982, p. [67]
5. Taylor 1982, p. 548.
6. ''Flight International'' 30 January 1982, p. 215.
7. Orbis 1985, p. 516

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