My new crush.

"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
01/07/2020 at 00:25 • Filed to: None

The Bearhawk. A kit that comes with a pre welded tube fuselage and already built flush rivited wings. N othing really checks the boxes like this one for the money. It can haul 1100 pounds including gas (that’s 4 adult people with full tanks) and cruise 160mph doing it (speed of an older Mooney) . It’s truly a family tru ckster with about the best value pr oposition of what it can do.

Best part? You built it, so you can do all the maintenance. Saves a TON of operation cost. Land at 45mph.

Downer is the all in price approaching $90k, but, the financing is over 20 years..and when the mini is done, the basement finished...well, it's on my list of to do's.

DISCUSSION (15)

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > Grindintosecond
01/07/2020 at 01:05

Sweet. Very timely for me as I continue to Barnstormers and Trade-a-Plane my way through listings for Kitfox and RANS planes.

Powerplant on this one? Rotax? I guess I need to fire up Mr. Google and ruin the rest of my evening... Thanks!

glemon > Grindintosecond
01/07/2020 at 01:25

I don’t know much about the current state of small civilian planes, other than the fact that it seems like there is a lot more oldish than newish out there. My understanding is liability exposure drives up costs or drives manufacturers out of the market. If true does the build it yourself nature of planes like this alleviate the liability concerns somewhat?

MrDakka > Grindintosecond
01/07/2020 at 01:54

USD duct tape as the skin instead of the fiberglass crap they send with the kit for a more exciting experience

shop-teacher > Grindintosecond
01/07/2020 at 07:06

Cool!

TheRealBicycleBuck > glemon
01/07/2020 at 07:24

Experimental (home-built) planes don’t have the same certification requirements as a manufactured aircraft. Those certification requirements are what drive up the cost. The downside is that experimental aircraft are somewhat restricted in where they can fly and how they can be used. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/91.319

WilliamsSW > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
01/07/2020 at 07:59

Lycoming O-540. That’s a nice engine. I Googled it, because I knew a Ro tax can’t provide the performance he’s quoting.

WilliamsSW > Grindintosecond
01/07/2020 at 08:01

Ooh, that’s a new one to me. Very cool and love that they’re using a Lycoming 6. They sound and perform so much better than a Rotax.

Grindintosecond > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
01/07/2020 at 11:02

Designed initially with O-470 (25 0-260 hp) power, same found in Cessna 180s, it can also use any large 6 cylinder o-520/540 as long as the weight isnt horrible. For example a parallel valve o540 is 25 pounds lighter. I’ve flown an o470 Bonanza for a while and it’s super smooth, parts easy to source, short stroke crank and it will reach overhaul time and beyond. But, it’s an older design. A nice light 540 gives a bit more torque and less weight. Best part is, massive climb performance yet you can really econ cruise it for great mpg. That’s a family of four and lots of gear with a big cargo doo r and maybe 15 mpg if you really pay attention to cowling/cooling drag.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > WilliamsSW
01/07/2020 at 11:05

Thanks.

Yeah, my list wa s tilted toward the LSA versions— The Bearhawk LSA uses Continental - A65 or A75 series, pretty much inline with the Ercoupes we have in my airpark for numbers . The Kitfoxes with Rotax 912S are sweet, we have one of those out there too.

Overall, this is interesting. I’d never seen a Bearhawk in the wild.

Grindintosecond > glemon
01/07/2020 at 11:07

Since the builder completes 51% or more of the construction, all liability is on the builder/owner. They can do all maintenance which saves a TON is bills.(an annual inspection of a similar size Cessna costs $1500 and that’s if nothing is found broken) It was tested beyond “ normal category” so it’s absolutely solid for regular use.

Grindintosecond > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
01/07/2020 at 11:17

They have variants. A LSA two seater strike a fancy? They make that using 100hp, so a great Rotax might really go well in that...especially the turbo 912. And it can be made non LSA and be built heavier for Pvt. Holders. Clip the wings...faster. they also are just starting the "companion" a side-by-side 2 seater. That uses an o-320...easy to find anywhere 172 motor. That would be lots of fun.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > Grindintosecond
01/07/2020 at 11:49

Yep, I’ve been casually shopping an LSA variant. I “passed” a year ago on a Kitfox with Rotax 912, but see a lot of things I like about the Bearhawk LSA variant.

We’ve got a gravel runway at the airpark out in the desert. My neighbor put his Ercoupe into the mesquite a few years ago, (still managing to walk away) we have an inherent tailwind take-off situation... I like the low stall speeds on the Bearhawk s.

Thanks for the info— I did spend a couple of hours last night poring over the specs.

Grindintosecond > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
01/07/2020 at 12:13

I’ve really looked hard at them too. The LSA is really nice but tandem, where the Kitfox wins if you like to sit by the significant other . The Companion is nice but seems to be for those that find the Kitfox a bit limited. In fact, it’s a slightly modded Bearhawk fuselage with patrol wings and the rest left the same so the gear is SERIOUSLY rugged. So I guess its a faster Kitfox with more weight capacity....A 2-seat Maule? But those are looking to cost almost as much as a regular Bearhawk., however, damn. What a plane that would be if all you need are two-seats, and the ability to go anywhere like here:

and also cruise really well.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > Grindintosecond
01/07/2020 at 14:13

I’d LOVE your reaction to the BH factory tour...

https://bearhawkaircraft.com/how-we-make-the-kits/

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > Grindintosecond
01/07/2020 at 14:41

And now I’m blowing my morning watching BH videos.

I’m actually very impressed with the construction techniques... and that BH LSA in a QuickBuild form isn’t THAT much money. Sigh. Now it’s on my Wish List.