Month: May 2020

AUSTIN, TEXAS, MAY 21, 2020 – Bearhawk Aircraft announced today the introduction of its largest Bearhawk model to date, the Bearhawk 5. The new aircraft was designed by engineer Bob Barrows and is the first in the lineup of Bearhawk aircraft to use a 300-horsepower engine, seating up to six occupants.

The Bearhawk Model 5 made its first flight on May 3rd. The prototype has flown more than five hours in testing and is exhibiting excellent flight characteristics, according to test pilot Rollie van Dorn. Further flight testing is expected to confirm the airplane’s projected 3,000 lb gross weight.

The Bearhawk Model 5 has been under development for two years. Slightly wider and longer than the original 4-Place Bearhawk, the new design is powered by a spec-built Lycoming IO-580 engine. The first Bearhawk Model 5 was built in collaboration with avid Bearhawk builder Collin Campbell of Bolivar, Missouri. Collin has scratch built a fleet of different Bearhawk models and has a reputation for outstanding workmanship.

Mark Goldberg, president of Avipro / Bearhawk Aircraft, manufactures Quick Build kits of the Bearhawk models. Mark has been eager to announce the Model 5 for some time. “A brief history of how this design came about… a friend of design engineer Bob Barrows requested he create a larger version of the Bearhawk 4-Place as this friend is a big guy. Bob did the drawings for his friend who began construction on it. However, health issues forced him to quit working on the project and it sat for about a year. One day I was talking to Collin Campbell who told me he was getting bored now that his Bearhawk LSA was finished and flying.” Mark said a light bulb came on and, thus, a plan was hatched for Collin to finish the Model 5 project. “Truly, there is no one in the world, except Bob himself, more qualified to have built this prototype than Collin,” he concluded.

In many ways, the new Model 5 can be compared to the Bearhawk 4-Place the way the Cessna 185 is compared to the Cessna 180. Just like the two Cessnas, both the Model 5 and 4-Place use the same wing. The Cessna wing has 174 sq ft of surface area while the Bearhawk wing has 186 sq ft with its Riblett airfoil. Compared to the 4-Place Bearhawk, already bigger than a C-180, the Model 5 has a wider, longer fuselage and features a bigger motor.  Specifically, the Model 5 is two inches wider than the Bearhawk 4-Place, and its cabin is fourteen inches longer. Overall length of the Model 5 is twenty-four inches longer than the 4-Place. There is room in the Model 5 for 5^th and 6^th seats in the back or, alternatively, extra cargo space. The Model 5 has considerably more interior room than a C-185.

While the Bearhawk 4-Place can use four-cylinder Lycoming engines, up to the parallel valve O-540 series, the Model 5’s smallest engine will be the six-cylinder 250/260 hp Lycoming O-540. The Model 5 has the ability to use the heavier angle-valve cylinder Lycoming O-540 and IO-580 of 300 and 315 hp respectively.

The prototype Model 5 partly owes its outstanding performance to the Lycoming IO-580 at 315 hp. A three-blade Hartzell 82-inch diameter carbon fiber Trailblazer propeller completes the package with its really strong takeoff thrust and climb. At a projected gross weight of 3,000 lb, with utility category strength at full gross, the 1,512 lb empty weight of the Model 5 results in a plane that is expected to carry double its own weight.

Cruise speeds around 160 mph are also expected as 156 mph TAS, at 3,500 ft and 24-squared, or 72-percent power, was seen during tests. Reduced, economy lean-of-peak fuel flow speeds of around 145-150 mph and 14.5 to 15 GPH are also anticipated. Takeoff performance was 220 to 300 ft. Landings were kept to under 650 ft as the wet, muddy runway conditions in the very middle of the 1,350-ft runway allowed use of only half the strip, Rollie reported. “Collin did a beautiful job building it, and he and I worked together for the three days I was there to get as much done as we could. The Bearhawk Model 5 offered no surprises on takeoff or climb out. With all that power, things happen quickly.” Rollie also noted power-on stalls to be less than 40 mph.

The Bearhawk lineup includes two-place Patrol, Companion and LSA models. The 4-Place and new Model 5 fill out the larger end of the lineup with excellent carrying capacity. All are available in kit or plans and excel at accessing remote airstrips. 2-Place and 4-Place Bearhawk kits are now shipping, including a Bearhawk 4-Place Model B shipment to New Zealand today. Bearhawk aircraft are renown for their rugged construction and large cargo areas.

For more information on Bearhawk Aircraft, visit www.bearhawkaircraft.com, or contact Bearhawk at info@bearhawkaircraft.com or 1-877-528-4776.

– Bearhawk –

AUSTIN, TEXAS, MAY 11, 2020 – Bearhawk Aircraft announced today the first flight of a Bearhawk Patrol in Brazil and a Bearhawk LSA in New Zealand. The Patrol and LSA are tandem two-place aircraft designed by engineer Bob Barrows. Delivering superior strength and durability, these aircraft fly fast and land slow. Bearhawk aircraft are also known for their short field capability, gentle slow speed manners, and hauling capacity. Also announced, a New Zealand based Bearhawk wins a STOL competition down under for the second year in a row.

The Brazilian Bearhawk Patrol was completed in January. First flight followed after “some time waiting for official paperwork.” The aircraft received its official release on April 10th. Build customer was Fernando Frahm, along with his son Andre and co-owner/builder Roberto Lindner.

“Boa tarde Mark,” was the message sent from Alexandre Henrique de Barros of Magnólia Cubs, the Bearhawk Aircraft representative in Brazil. Alex continued, “Brazil’s first Bearhawk Patrol flew on 4/10/2020 out of Lontras, Santa Catarina, Brazil (ICAO SSLN).” The Quick Build kit was purchased during EAA AirVenture 2014 by Fernando Frahm of Rio do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil. “A few months after the arrival of the kit, Fernando sold a share of the kit to his friend Roberto, who joined him in the construction. The average time spent working on the aircraft was about four hours a week, eventually increasing up to eight hours during the covering and painting phases. The basic configuration includes a Superior IO-360 180-horsepower engine with a Dual Plasma II Ignition system [from Light Speed] and a constant speed propeller from MT-Propeller [of Germany]. According to Roberto, the Patrol exhibited takeoff and climb performance never before experienced in any aircraft of its class.”

Roberto also highlighted the handling characteristics, especially concerning the Patrol’s predictability. He attributed this to the “harmony and balance of the flight controls and well-dimensioned surface areas,” adding, “It truly felt that we had had been flying this aircraft for a long me.” Speaking on the construction, Roberto emphasized the high quality of the welding and kit components in general, its ease of assembly, and constant support from Avipro, Bearhawk Aircraft’s kit manufacturer.

Though not as ubiquitous as the “corner bar” in Brazil, the number of Bearhawks in the country is expanding. Fernando’s kit, being the first shipment of a Bearhawk Patrol to Brazil, unites with another local operator of a 4-Place Bearhawk model. Also using an IO-360 Continental engine, this 4-Place Bearhawk was the first to fly with that engine.

As a rancher in southern Brazil, Fernando knew immediately this was the aircraft for him. His decision followed a demo flight at AirVenture. A Patrol was just the airplane he needed to land at the short strip on his ranch, and it would also allow him greater travel flexibility at better cruise speeds than similar STOL/utility aircraft he had been considering.

This two-minute video, created by Mike Silvernagle of Bearhawk Aircraft Canada, highlights the Bearhawk Patrol’s capabilities and modern equipment, illustrating why its perfect for unimproved fields and travel expeditions… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdLJl-D_qXM.

Nic Roberts of Plane Torque Ltd. in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, built and recently flew the first Bearhawk LSA aircraft in New Zealand. The aircraft was purchased as a Quick Build kit. According to Nic, “The LSA has produced a large amount of interest from local aviators. The Bearhawk line of aircraft have become well known for their capability. They perform well in New Zealand.” He noted that other 4-Place Bearhawk aircraft are flying in the island country and making impressions. “A point of difference is these aircraft have a presence more like standard category aircraft than amateur-built.

“We have flown just over ten hours in our Bearhawk LSA aircraft, completing the mandatory test flight period. After the first flight, our test pilot said, ‘What a fantastic little aircraft,’ along with an enormous grin on his face. The aircraft is performing very well with its Continental O-200-D and Catto propeller. The test flying creates much attention during takeoff and landing on the local airfield, Hastings Aerodrome.

“We are yet to push the Bearhawk capability to establish it absolute limits. However, my test pilot of 3500-plus-hours experience states, ‘Your Bearhawk LSA is the fastest to get airborne from all the aircraft I have flown.’ The taxi roll of the Bearhawk LSA is incredibly smooth and soft as the landing gear strut/shocks provide fantastic support. I am really enjoying the journey this Bearhawk LSA aircraft provides. I look forward to seeing the Bearhawk aircraft fleet grow.”

In related news, Jonathan Battson has taken top honors, for two years running, in his Bearhawk in a New Zealand STOL Competition. The regional contest takes place each year in February. Battson and his Bearhawk continued their winning ways by a wide margin. “We managed to clean up the heavy touring category again this weekend, convincingly this time with a total combined distance of 71m compared to 108m and 131m for second and third place. There was less wind than usual, so I was pleased with the landing,” he commented.

“This year we had a couple of key people from the Valdez STOL contest here, Lon and Bob. Lon organizes the Valdez event, and Bob and his son Bobby (Breeden) have won numerous times. They liked the event and said the flying was as good as they see in Valdez… except here the action is faster and the crowd is much closer to the action which they seemed to like. They said we have less Super Cubs than in Alaska.” For event details, visit… http://www.marlboroughaeroclub.co.nz/healthy-bastards/Healthy-Bastards-introduction/ 

The Bearhawk Patrol is a tandem two-place aircraft, available in kit or plans, that excels at accessing remote airstrips. A side-by-side seating version is the Bearhawk Companion. Both are renown for their rugged construction and large cargo areas. The Patrol and Companion are capable of carrying twice their empty weight. The Companion offers 2,200 lb. gross weight, while the Patrol offers 2,000 lb. gross. Avipro / Bearhawk Aircraft manufactures high quality Quick Build kits for the Bearhawk 4-Place, Bearhawk Patrol, Bearhawk Companion, and Bearhawk LSA. All models are available for immediate shipping.

For more information on Bearhawk Aircraft, visit www.bearhawkaircraft.com, or contact Bearhawk at info@bearhawkaircraft.com or 1-877-528-4776.

– Bearhawk –

The UH-1 Huey has a well-earned reputation for dependability over a 65-year history. Now iconic, its image is synonymous with aircraft of the Vietnam era. This example, updated by Gardner-Lowe Aviation Services… (Sport Aviation Magazine, May 2020)

Read online at http://inspire.eaa.org/2020/05/28/what-our-members-are-building-restoring-georgia-bell-dornier-uh-1d/.