ERAU MICROJET TEAM
Authors' Class Standing
Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Domenic LaFauci
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Scott Martin
Abstract
In the late 1960’s the aerospace industry would be changed forever. General Aviation aircraft were being built and sold by the thousands, and for the first time ever pilots with limited mechanical skills could build their own aircraft from “kits.” It wasn't long until one individual, Jim Bede, revolutionized the kit aircraft market with his quick-build aircraft. The famed Bede BD-5 was affordable to the average individual, easy to assemble, and had impressive performance.
Aircraft performance data from Bede was scarce and questionable. Leading home-builders to question the safety of their aircraft, this is what the ERAU MicroJET Team set out to fix. We are conducting a full air-frame and performance analysis of the Bede BD-5, all while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students from all majors aid in the engineering, building, and testing improvements on our very own Bede BD-5. Through this, our research will benefit the 5000+ BD-5 owners worldwide.
Location
Flight Deck
Start Date
9-4-2014 10:00 AM
ERAU MICROJET TEAM
Flight Deck
In the late 1960’s the aerospace industry would be changed forever. General Aviation aircraft were being built and sold by the thousands, and for the first time ever pilots with limited mechanical skills could build their own aircraft from “kits.” It wasn't long until one individual, Jim Bede, revolutionized the kit aircraft market with his quick-build aircraft. The famed Bede BD-5 was affordable to the average individual, easy to assemble, and had impressive performance.
Aircraft performance data from Bede was scarce and questionable. Leading home-builders to question the safety of their aircraft, this is what the ERAU MicroJET Team set out to fix. We are conducting a full air-frame and performance analysis of the Bede BD-5, all while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students from all majors aid in the engineering, building, and testing improvements on our very own Bede BD-5. Through this, our research will benefit the 5000+ BD-5 owners worldwide.