I think i saw a new kit for sale at $39,000 in barnstormers. The guy says he's giving up the bearcat to save his marriage- that may be a mistake!

I'm 2+ years into building a Bearhawk and enjoying it. I'm an aeronautical engineer and EAA tech counselor. I looked long and hard at many bush plane type kits before choosing the Bearhawk. I made the right decision. It's a good basic kit you can tailor how you want; super spartan and light, or all decked out. I have collected weight data on a number of kits. With a 180 hp, simple interior, and avionics you'll be around 1325 lbs, with an O-540 you'll be about 100 lbs more. Either way you get LOTS of useful load. The Bearhawk flies much differently than a Maule. Everything posted by member akschu is correct. The most important thing about choosing any homebuilt is that you want to build. It is a 1200+ hour commitment. So if you like to build the Bearhawk is a good choice.

If you would like more details, "engineeringish" or otherwise, drop me an e-mail.

you have already got a better all-around airplane right now, 58 !

Cessna and other 'aluminum spam cans' do fine. Good at most everything EXCEPT(!) 'Spontaneous Random Metal Modification' incidents. Then a Cro-mol 'cage' around you and you pink little ass is PRICELESS! That corrigated Al wads up like, well, no protection at all. Best seatbelts (5 pt) don't do much good when the metal easily comes right to you. If you NEVER SCREW UP, you are ok. Me, sorry to say, should have the cage and seatbelt (and maybe the airbag and......)

I hate 'coulda, shoulda, woulda' after the fact. Too familiar with it.

If you like to build you can't go wrong with a Bearhawk. I hope the Bearhawk Patrol catches on a little better. It has a wing and flaps that are impressive. Like any design, it will always be compared to the Super Cub.

jomac wrote:you have already got a better all-around airplane right now, 58 !

I know.

I was asking for information for a friend that's interested in a Bearhawk.

I have flown a Bearhawk and instructed a gentleman for his tailwheel endorsement in it. It was a very enjoyable airplane and a docile tailwheel trainer... Great performance for the backcountry with 260hp.

M

you have already got a better all-around airplane right now, 58 !

Hmm... Maybe Jomac can explain his logic. I don't mean to start an argument or in any way dimmish 182's. They are fine airplanes, I owned one for 10 years and really enjoyed it. It took me all over the US Canada and Alaska and made many Idaho camping trips.

A bearhawk is also a great airplane and will do everything a 182 will do plus more. It will get in and out of shorter/rougher strips, carries more useful load & will do it easier, can do positive g airbatic maneuvers, is a new airplane (how old is the average 182 fleet?), can be upgraded with all the new avionics, can use experimental avionics (better yet), can be put on skis & floats, the builder can do his own condition inspections, no STC's are needed for modifications, etc.

Perhaps because Bearhawks are relatively new, not many have seen them or understand what they are.

Now I've ignored building vs buying certified issues and experimental vs certified AC in general, but a 182 is NOT a better all around airplane in my not so humble opinion.

And yes I may be a bit biased since I fly a Bearhawk, but like I said I used to own a 182 and know both planes well.

1200 hrs to build a bearhawk...? yikes, maybe if i didn't have a real job...

folks i bumped into this last summer love theirs, and it seems quite capable...

Building is a hurdle unless one is found already flying. There was one for sale on this site not long ago. As has been stated on this site and elsewhere, building should only be considered by those who really want to build and have the desire to finish the project. It is a large commitment, but it brings its own rewards.

I was fortunate to have access to a 182 while building my Bearhawk so I could fly when I needed to. It took 3.5 years to complete mine spending time after work and on weekends. Help from friends and EAA members was invlauble so the right resources are also a big help.

I like the Bearhawk. As Bmurrish mentioned before we got to take Mark's up for a demo flight at OSH. I wish I could do it now, as when I did the demo flight I only had about 50 hours and the Bearhawk was the first time I'd ever flown anything besides a 172. Now that I'm tailwheel endorsed and have about 14hrs of tailwheel, I'd like to fly it again for comparison.

I'll put it this way though, I've bought plans, all of Eric Newton's build manuals, and Russ Erb's resource CD. I plan to build the plane one day, but it will be several years. I want to buy something like a Pacer first and keep it for a long, long time. During that time I'll probably start the Bearhawk build.

I figure by the time I can start building it, there should be plenty of them out there flying, and hopefully some of the AK guys and we'll have some evidence of it's backcountry performance. I think it will meet my expectations at the least.

I have to agree with Blackrock. One of the big selling points on going homebuilt for me is age. The cessna fleet, mine included, is showing more and more problems with fatique and corrosion. And parts for the older cessna's are getting harder to find and outrageously expensive. Plus, I GET to build it.

But then I'm pretty biased myself since I'm building a Bearhawk Patrol (the 2 place version). That may change though since my fiance' prefers side by side seating.

Phil

I'm Ernie Green. I also dont much on line. Please bare with me . I'm also a Bearhawk builder. Ijust cranked my engine on 6-25-09, a c-0470M 240hp. The only thing that I didn't build were the seat frames and the engine mount. I bought them from Mark, excellant work, beautiful welding. The reason I say this is I'm a retired aircraft welder from the goverment, 25 years. I tig welded everything on my plane. I used 80S2B tig wire. Thats 80,000 lbs of tensil strength. I should be flying next month. If anyone wants to know something about the Bearhawk or welding , fill free to give a call anytime, I'll be glad to help if I can. My cell is 904-307-8911.

Savannah-Tom wrote:If you find your way to Lakeview, OR, the guy that runs the airport is working on one, and likes to show it off.
tom

The gentleman at Lakeview passed away quite some time ago, before completing his Bearhawk.

"Party today, for tomorrow...who knows".

The wife and I went shopping today for a friend and our self's. Wasn't sure three Yeti coolers, a propane tank, and baggage would all fit in the Bearhawk, but they did with ease.

Cool!

And wow. After three years dormant, this thread comes back alive. I can't even remember what friend of mine was asking about this plane.

I was just glancing over my manuals and plans again today.

The Patrol is going to be my next build. I love my plane but that extra cruise speed does it for me. Not easy to fly from MA to Johnson Creek at 95 mph. The quick build kit will cut a good amount of time off.

TP, you need to buy a pacer and build the bearhawk, then sell the pacer.

Troy Hamon wrote:TP, you need to buy a pacer and build the bearhawk, then sell the pacer.

That was my original plan, and still could end up happening that way.