The custom EZ Flap for the Bearhawk is now available on a "beta-test" basis. Same price as all other EZ Flap units, same money back guarantee.

Based on three or four successful Bearhawk tests, the first short production run of 5 units has been manufactured and ready for sale. These units have been demonstrated to work correctly on a "stock" plans-built or kit-built Bearhawk with all four flap detent notches "filed" for ratcheting capability.

However, one or two other non-successful Bearhawk tests have indicated that because:
1) There are two known factory flap handle lengths, and
2) All EXP aircraft are a little different no matter what the plans or kits say, and
2) Some Bearhawks have been modified in other areas that affect the flap controls;

there may not be one "Standard" EZ Flap unit that works correctly on all Bearhawks.

The summarized results of the initial tests are as follows. Interested BH owners please read through this, the details are important:

Nevada
Three Bearhawks in northern NV, all with "filed" (ratcheting) flap systems, tested the EZ Flap on the ground and in the air. The pilots reported very successful results. From these initial tests it was determined that a shortened custom-length unit was beneficial. This has been tooled up and a short-run batch produced. Two of these three pilots bought the product and are happy with it, the third pilot is expected to get one in the near future.

Arizona
One ground and flight test was performed in Mesa AZ, on an aircraft that had two of the four flap detent notches filed and two of them not filed. The tests were performed by the pilot/owner, myself, and another Bearhawk-in-progress builder. It was found that the force needed to un-lock the flap button and use the two "non-ratcheting" positions was excessive with air loads on the flaps. The pilots were enthusiastic that the product would be very beneficial once the actuation force issue was resolved, and they requested that I design and manufacture a different un-locking mechanism that allows the pilot to have higher mechanical advantage. This is in progress, however the good results on the "ratcheted" flap systems have put this on a brief hold. After discussing the test in AZ with the original testers in NV, both Nevada pilots have suggested that filing the flap notches to ratchet will resolve the issue.

California
Several ground tests were made on an early Bearhawk in Southern California, however this is a scratch-built aircraft with completely re-designed pilot and passenger seats. These larger/re-designed seats physically interfered with the safe operation of the EZ Flap unit. Flight tests were not able to be safely performed. It is not clear whether a custom built or modified EZ Flap unit will be able to resolve this interference.

Based on these results, the EZ Flap beta unit for the Bearhawk is being offered for sale to owners who have or are planning to have flap systems that ratchet in all positions (like a Pacer, Maule, etc.). A condition of sale for these units is that we correspond and communicate during the installation and flight testing, to be certain that the product will work safely, correctly, and provides the improvements that it was designed to provide.

In all cases, the standing offer of a full refund if the product does not perform as advertised, remains in force.

Per the request of the forum administrator, this thread is for the product announcement, technical issues and customer service for the Bearhawk aircraft only. All discussion as to the need, merits or benefits of the overall product category, is for other threads if at all.

Curious what you mean by "racheting capability".
I'm guessing that means you're able to pull flaps on without hitting the button, with button use only required to raise flaps?

Yes, like Piper and Maule (and unlike Cessna).

Correct, sorta. My old 1948 ragwing 170 had a " racheting" flap handle,and I suspect that the old 140's did also