This airplane was built by a retired missionary pilot

It was signed off for flight in May 1997. Construction time was 6.5 years. These are great performing planes, but not for the low time pilot.

  • Empty weight approx 1300 lbs
  • Max gross approx 2500 lbs
  • Useful load approx 1200 lbs

Here are some of the unique features of this particular airplane:

  • Wingspan extended 6 feet (increases cruise speed and service ceiling)
  • Storage in the tubular main spar
  • Aluminum wings (some BD4s have been built with fiberglass wings)
  • Heavier than standard nose gear assembly
  • Heavier than standard main gear assemblies
  • Longer than standard backseat side windows
  • Additional small side windows behind the backseat side windows
  • Landing light in each wingtip
  • Warp Drive 4 blade propeller, ground adjustable, graphite composite blades, very quiet 0-320 Lycoming 0-2-B model engine 160 HP
  • Electric ground tug goes with the airplane for additional $250
  • Castering nose wheel
  • 50 gallons fuel capacity (25 gallons per wing tank)
  • Flaps have 4 positions
  • Doors are flip up doors for easy exit/entry
  • Rudder trim
  • Elevator trim
  • RV4 cowling for better aerodynamics (looks much better than standard BD4 cowling, too)
  • The muffler is a modified C172 muffler

Engine was overhauled before installation so it has about 245.4 hours since major overhaul.

Backseat is suitable for 2 children or 1 adult. Two adults in the back is a pretty tight fit.

This design has the stabilator rear control surfaces. There are 245.4 actual hours on the airplane. The airplane has modern avionics. 2 VORs (1 glide slope) 2 Comm radios (Escort Combo). PS Engineering Intercom. Apollo SL40 Comm radio. KT 76A transponder. Handheld GPS.

Current setting on the propeller is a combination “cruise/climb” setting that provides about 145 mph cruise with a fuel burn of about 9-9.5 gallons per hour.

The left side gas take tank has slow leak, but it can hold half tank without leaking.

The builder admits his weak point in construction of the airplane was the paint. It is red and repainting would be nice, but it flies beautifully with the paint it has! It really is a nice handling airplane.

The Builder of this airplane built it with intentions of using in God’s service. First owner/builder is retired Army pilot who also spent several years in Africa as a missionary pilot with his wife. They would love to see the airplane find a home where it would be used in the Lord’s service. The builder/owner was past president of Pilots For Christ, International. After lost his medical, he sold it to the current owner for mission work over Midwest. After 12 years, the current owner lost his medical due to cancer. It is time to sell the airplane. The current owner also loves to see the airplane find a home where it would be used in the Lord’s service.

Price: Auction

More info: Listing has ended. Click to search on eBay for similar 1997 BD-4 (Affiliate link)

Seller's other items: billywtko

Location: Fulton, Missouri, United States