Meet Bede BD-5J Microjet
The BD-5J is the jet-powered member of Bede’s small single-seat aircraft line. AzurPoly’s manual records the original BD-5’s 1971 first flight and the introduction of the jet variant in 1973. Its appearance in the 1983 film Octopussy helped carry the tiny jet’s outline beyond the experimental-aircraft community.
A mechanical side stick commands the aircraft. The manual describes an anti-servo pitch tab and electric pitch trim acting through that tab. Retractable landing gear uses a mechanical cable system, and the flap lever selects 0, 15 or 30 degrees. The BD-5J’s jet engine therefore sits in an airframe whose primary controls and retractable gear retain comparatively direct mechanical arrangements.
History & design
The jet branch of the BD-5
AzurPoly’s history section distinguishes the BD-5 from the BD-5J introduced in 1973. Its account also identifies the later film appearance. The J suffix is material: this reference concerns the jet rendition, rather than importing the original piston-propeller installation.
AzurPoly · AzurPoly BD-5J Manual ↗AzurPoly BD-5J manual history.
Small size, mechanical controls
The right-side stick and anti-servo pitch tab are documented mechanical features. The tab participates in the pitch-force arrangement, with electric trim using the same surface. AzurPoly also provides an optional EFB autopilot. That simulator option is separate from the mechanical description of the aircraft’s primary controls.
AzurPoly · AzurPoly BD-5J Manual ↗AzurPoly manual controls, trim, gear and EFB options.
Systems & details
Small-aircraft mechanisms and visible fuel checks
The BD-5J guide describes cable-operated retractable gear and manually selected flap positions of zero, fifteen and thirty degrees. Fuel sits in the two wings. The simulation adds a convenient fuel gauge, but also depicts the original prism arrangement: the appearance of prisms of different lengths indicates the fuel remaining in each tank. An electric pump backs up the engine-driven supply. Those details preserve the distinction between the small jet’s mechanical systems and conveniences added for the simulator.
In your simulator
No released simulator product is listed for this aircraft in the developers reviewed. Announced products are excluded.
Manuals & resources
Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Manual
AzurPoly BD-5J ManualAzurPoly · AzurPoly BD-5J manual history.; AzurPoly manual controls, trim, gear and EFB options.Aircraft background
Bede BD-5J - AzurPolyAzurPoly · Aircraft equipment and developer product details.Built-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261011-v3 · 2 profile choices
AzurPoly Bede BD-5J Microjet
AzurPoly · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
The BD-5J is the jet-powered member of Bede’s small single-seat aircraft line.
Bede BD-5J Microjet
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024 · X-Plane 12
The BD-5J is the jet-powered member of Bede’s small single-seat aircraft line.
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