bl@hplabsb.UUCP (03/18/85)
wins!! The latest issue of The Aviation Consumer has an updated article on Jim Bede's latest scam, er, venture. It's a homebuilt, the BD-10J, that is capable of a top speed of 1,050 MPH (Mach 1.6) at 40,000 feet. The plane uses a General Electric CJ610/J85 engine with thrust of 2,950 pounds. Empty weight of the aircraft is 1,360 Lbs., and normal gross weight is 2,750 Lbs., with max weights up to 3,550 Lbs. allowed. Standard fuel capacity is 152 gallons with a max of 274. The engine guzzles it at about 300 gallons per hour giving a quick but thrilling ride. However, at Mach 1.6, the range is 572 miles. At a speed of 550 MPH, the range is 1,364 miles. With the thrust exceeding the normal gross weight, the takeoff performance is not too bad. Claimed T/O distance is 400 feet in 6 seconds with a sea level rate of climb of 30,000 fpm at 500 mph (45 degree pitch angle). The plane has not been built yet, however. Bede plans to build one prototype and up to 15 under contract to buyers. Cost? The poor need not apply. Projected cost will be $175,600 less engine. A new CJ610 can be had for $350,000 new or $150,000 overhauled. Run out engines go for about $40,000.
doug@terak.UUCP (Doug Pardee) (03/20/85)
Aviation Consumer also went on to question the "supersonic" aspect of
the BD-10J. It would be the first supersonic plane in decades which
had unboosted flight controls. Civil aircraft are forbidden to create
sonic booms. And Jim Bede has waffled in the specs, indicating that
production BD-10Js may not be capable of supersonic flight.
AC also noted that *at idle* the thrust-to-weight ratio is greater than
the *full power* ratios in some production jets. Gonna be hard to taxi
that thing.
I'm curious about whether (as a turbine-powered airplane) the 10J might
be required to meet the takeoff noise requirements of FAR part Some-
thing-or-other. If so, how do you suppose a turbojet (not turbofan)
is going to fare?
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Doug Pardee -- Terak Corp. -- !{hao,ihnp4,decvax}!noao!terak!doug