The Smallest Jet in the World is the BD5-Micro
World records almost always seem to focus on the largest, fastest, or biggest of something, no matter what that thing is. We never seem to give a though to the other extreme: where can we find the smallest or lightest or most compact design in a given category? Well, fear not, dear reader, because we’ve got you covered yet again.
Meet the BD-5 Micro, currently the smallest jet ever built. Initially the product of garage engineering, the first BD-5 was built by Jim Bede (get it?) as a DIY project back in 1967. From there things expanded rapidly, and Bede offered his new creation first as a kit build-it-yourself item and then as a production jet from his company Bede Aircraft. Currently known as BedeCorp, this All-American enterprise still produces experimental jets here in the US.
But back to the BD-5 Micro. While it may look like a toy, the tiny package offers big performance. With a maximum crew of one-which, come to think about it, is likely also the minimum crew—the BD-5 is powered by a single and likely lonely PBS TJ-100 turbufan engine. This may seem small, or even puny, but don’t let that fool you. The BD-5 is capable of some pretty great things with a maximum speed of well over 300 miles per hour and a max range of nearly a thousand miles. Jim Bede, you may be the greatest DIYer of all time . . .