Hello all!  I'm Les Criscillo, a Registered Nurse living in West Central Florida.  I have had a passion for aviation since I was very young.  I obtained my private pilots licensure in 1986 and have been flying since then.  In the 1990's I built a KR-2 experimental airplane and this week I will embark on a much larger and more  complicated project  The Bede Aerospace BD-4.  This plane was designed by James Bede in the 1960's and hundreds have been built around the world since then. I had several design requirements as I was looking for suitable  projects to consider.

1. Cross country capable:  I live in a beautiful state and want to be able to travel to any beach within 3 hours.   That requires 150 mph and a 4 hour fuel capacity.  
2. Simple metal construction:  I have worked with wood  and fiberglass before, and in Florida, the elements are hard on both of these materials.   I plan on outdoor storage and required a material  that would hold up to our heat and humidity.  
3. Automotive engine appropriate:  The  minimum requirements are for a 160 hp engine to power this aircraft.   I have been working on and building engines for over 30 years.  I am aware of their limitations in aircraft, and their capabilities.   I am going to power mine with a Mazda rotary 13b engine.   This engine's design is  inherently safe for aircraft operation, and with appropriate development of the support systems, will provide safe and powerful propulsion for many years. Mazda rotary engines have been built since the 1960's and have only 3 moving parts! Smooth, powerful and small, this engine will be an exciting part of this project.
4. Roomy.  I wanted to carry two passengers with cargo space for camping, luggage or two passengers depending on the mission of the day.

The BD-4 meets all of these requirements.  There are others that meet them also, but the last requirement I have is always what brings me back to the BD-4.  Affordability.  Out the door, I should complete this project for less than $30,000. A basic VFR aircraft, with new instrumentation, a zero timed engine, and more than enough capability.  

I will leave in 9 days to pick up my project and bring it back to Florida.  I will post here regularly to document this project, receive advice and hopefully some encouragement as well.  Wish me well!