Sat, Mar 02, 2013
Started Company When Original Kit Manufacturer Went Bankrupt
The founder of Bede-Micro aviation, Keith Tevis Hinshaw, passed away in January in Sun City West, AZ. Hinshaw was 85 years old.
Keith was born in Eureka, CA to Ivo and Camila Hinshaw on December 14, 1927. He served as an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Air Force where he maintained North American Aviation P-51D Mustang aircraft.
According to an obituary sent to ANN, Keith lived "an amazing and extraordinary life." He lived his passion, aviation and the exciting BD-5 aircraft. Initially he worked as a BD-5 dealer in San Jose, CA but when the company went bankrupt he started Bede-Micro Aviation. His business kept the dream alive for those who had purchased BD-5s but had no place to turn for assistance in completing their partial kits. Keith offered align and drill services, special tools, technical advice, newsletters, extra parts and most importantly entire engine packages to replace the ones that were never received from Bede.
He also tested many of the completed BD-5s on their maiden flight for customers who lacked the skill to do their own testing.
Keith sold his business in 1994 and retired to Arizona but never gave up helping people who were building BD-5s. He talked to customers around the world with questions on a multitude of subjects needed to get their aircraft airworthy.
Without Keith the dream of owning and flying this unique aircraft would never have been realized by literally hundreds of owners and builders.
He is survived by his wife Shirley, two children, Michael and Pattie, along with 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
(Keith Hinshaw pictured left with unidentified person)
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