Here's a link for some rough stats on the various BD-5 variants..
The BD-5B is a reciprocating version.
The BD-5J is the jet version
The BD-5T is the turbo prop version. This is what I had wanted to modify my BD-5 into. The reliablity of the jet, the efficiencies of a prop.
http://www.bd-micro.com/FLS.HTM has detailed take off/landing/weight information.
muck, I never had an engine in mine. As it sat, it weighed 150 pounds or so..maybe less.
Parachutes...yes, if you can get out in time. If you've sat inside the -5 there, muck, you are pretty deep into the cockpit. It takes some ingenius wiggling to get out of the plane. Its not for the large or tall. So, add a chute and its a bit cramped in there (as I am told from others). In the event of an emergency, I'm sure my body can do amazing things...so bailing shouldn't be too bad. Some have done so and survived to fly again.
(Cockpit pic...its tight in there...side stick cool tho)
Here's the catch tho...the airplane was designed around a powerplant that, to this day, really hasnt been invented. The magic 100 hp & weighs less than 100 pounds hasn't come around...at least not affordably. The turboprop is the closest thing to date, but is vastly more $$ than a recip. So, weight is one major enemy...folks are using heavy Honda engines and others to power theirs..some with varying degrees of success. But they aren't seeing the "blazing" speeds they ever envisioned.
The next problem is heat. With the larger recips, liquid cooling is required and air intakes, scoops, etc. Everyone seems to have a different idea on this. Scoops are draggy..what works good on cruise might not cut it for the taxi way. Adding electric fans adds weight...so again, the balancing act continues. Everyone has tried to find that magical P-51 like scoop that allows air in, yet exits out cleanly with minimal drag.
The jet, quite frankly, is simply perfect. Smaller wings (17 ft versus the B & T's 21.5) give it higher wing loading and it scoots right along at 300mph +. They keep it light, strong and a very light jet engine pumps out 325 pounds of thrust.
So why doesnt everyone buy the jet? Well...if the folks who make the jet know its for a BD-5, there goes the warranty and no service...so im told. Its expensive to operate jets
Further...insurance? Forget it. If you can find someone that offers hull insurance, you're doing good.
Would I love to fly one? Yes. Would I buy one again? Only if made by BD-Micro...this thing is too precise, small and agile for my "advanced lego builder" level of construction. This is a very advanced kit. This isnt like a model battleship kit where every part is labelled and tells you where to put it. I loved my Bd-5 kit...but the stack of parts and a stack of blueprints...well...its over whelming for a novice.
Finally, we did inquire with the ballastic parachute folks...it couldn't be done....not without an extensive redesign and mucho $$...something you dont see a lot of in experimental aviation
There is a YahooGroup for the BD-5 if folks want to get in on that...details at
http://www.bd5.comHope this helps!
