My Magic Carpet Bede 4 by John Rob Holland

This Bede 4 was built in 1976 and has flown 4,000 hours. Video produced by its builder and pilot, John Rob Holland, gives a nice description of this airplane it's recent upgrades.

[@tomlogan2102]

I have watched this airplane for a lot of years. It is good to see one of the originals getting treated the way it should. What a joy, thanks for the contribution.

[@txdave2]

This is a wonderful video, John. Your new panel looks awesome. I can remember lusting after a BD-5 when I was a teenager back in the 1970's. I eventually built my own "Magic Carpet"...a plans built Sonex.

[@tombraun6514]

Excellent job, both the aircraft and this video. Thank you for uploading. I followed Jim's career with awe and delight from the beginning, and encouraged anyone who brought his designs up in conversation to investigate them, since they were well engineered, reasonably inexpensive and quick to build. For a while, BD-4s were one of the most popular if not always the most popular designs seen at fly-ins, until the "Vari-eze" and its cousins were made available. Still, like this great example, many BD-4s continued to provide enjoyable and inexpensive transportation and joy to many happy pilots and their families.

[@thewatcher5271]

What A Good Video! The Narration Was Well Scripted, As If The Plane Was The Focal Point As It Should Be & Probably The Best Tribute To The Bede 4.

[@JEMPL27]

Thanks, John! Really, really nice carpet!!!🤩 Man, great video!

[@garycalahan5176]

Very nicely done John Rob! I loved it and what a wonderful tribute to Mr. Bede!

[@wlz285]

Awesome John Rob! Thanks for giving me the push to get my start in aviation. The sky is a wonderful place.

[@brucer81]

Very nice. I am appropriately jealous. Thank you.

[@AeroRamer]

Spotted today! At Williston, X60. Nice to meet you and talk to you and your friend about...what else...airplanes of course! The aircraft looks great! The panel is impressive. Hope the new engine keeps you flying high and fast.

[@dam4274]

Lance makes one of the finest trailers on the market!

[@rosenbloom8]

Great video and story telling.

[@dancoffman5681]

Good one, Dr. John.

[@whoanelly737-8]

Fantastic video! I had the book!

[@additive8924]

Some people say it's ugly. I say there's Beauty and simplicity. I actually like the look of this aircraft and from everything I hear it has a very capable performance. I would not be ashamed to own one!

[@josefsstationrc6064]

Isn’t that just a cyber truck on wings?

[@pilot41186]

What a great video!

[@PRH123]

Wow, very impressive aircraft, impressive performance. His earlier designs were the most successful.

[@corypease5518]

Very well done sir! I'm planning to make a video on the BD-4C and it's capabilities. Great inspiration.

[@cray0308]

i read an article feature Mr Holland and Juliet Hotel. Excited to find his youtube channel. I would love to meet you at Oshkosh sir. The review and this video have convinced me to go for the BD4. Talking with Tim at the FL plant about quotes and lead times.

[@buelliganx1]

My dad has plans from Bede himself. He lived right down the road in Yellow Springs Ohio at the time

[@jjkrmain]

For all the negatives people say about Jim i feel the positives far out weigh what he contributed to experiential aviation.

[@tombraun6514]

It was jealousy, that prompted much of the criticism of Jim Bede, since others could not bring their ideas to fruition and actually not only put together an aircraft, but a series of production facilities which could make and ship parts and pieces so that many others could fabricate their own magic carpets. He made a lot of bold claims, and not all of them came to fruition, but many worthy people like John were able to enjoy flying their own remarkably capable aircraft, thanks to Jim Bede.

[@MartinSage]

@@tombraun6514 Did you use the cheap snowmobile engine with the 4hr TBO? 🤗

[@ToyManFlyer1100]

OK..Kids sang...." You don't know we can see..Y don't come wit lil Gurl on my Magic Carpet Ride...Come inside, Gurl. Come inside, Gurl...Let the music sound take you awaaayyy...!!!...

[@billk8579]

A friend of mine who worked at Martin State Airport in Maryland built a BD aircraft in the 70s. The plane was nearly complete but BD could no longer supply the engine. Lost track of him. Hopefully he was able to find a suitable engine.

[@wylieecoyote]

Inspiring and I hope to build one myself. I actually like the shape. It reminds me of the boxy Jeep designs that screams function over form. The fuselage body shape adds about 20% of the lifting, allowing shorter wings and more load than other similar sized designs. This presentation is fantastic and a tribute to the design and builder. What engine and speed do you get?

[@johnrobholland]

Thank you for the nice comments. I have the 180 hp normally aspirated Lycoming and it indicates 162 true. The new slightly larger fuselage is really nice.

[@johnrobholland]

180 horse lycoming 169 knots true

[@user-sm4lu6hp1k]

I am planning to build one. Do you still think this plane is still a good idea?

[@johnrobholland]

I do think it is still a great design. The new C model is a little larger. Great IFR plane too. The Garmin autopilot works perfectly.

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

♥️✌️

[@MartinSage]

Obviously you haven't heard Burt Rutan tell about working for Jim Bede😆. I bet you were a member of Jim' "special"club that required your deposit to join. Jim made a cool $2,000,000 off that deal.

[@nomansland4811]

Been reading about them. Great performing plane. I just can’t help but think the design looks so dated with that flat windshield and square flat surfaces.

[@Ronzola1]

It won’t win any beauty contests, but those flat surfaces contribute to 20% of the lift. That’s why it’s so efficient. Who can argue with 170 knots on 180 horsepower with so much room inside?

[@jamesburns2232]

There is nothing wrong with your Bede 4. But, you can always sell it and time share your son's jet 1:55, 512 MB.

[@branislavbabic4579]

0:18 this was dream of Elon Musk also? 🙂