Designed by Robert Barrows of Fincastle, Virginia, the Bearhawk is a 2 or 4-place design. The design parameter were for a heavy hauling BIG airplane with a good cruise speed and economical operation. Short field performance is excellent with the large flaps. The Bearhawk prototype Bearhawk N6890R is powered by a Lycoming 0-360 (170 hp) set up to burn auto fuel.
The Bearhawk was designed as a personal project by Barrows to carry aircraft engines for delivery as freight for his engine rebuilding business in 1995. It features a strut-braced high-wing with an enclosed cabin accessed by doors, fixed conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.
The aircraft fuselage is made from welded steel tubing covered in doped aircraft fabric, while the wings are made from aluminum sheet. Its 33 ft (10.1 m) span wing employs a NACA 4412 mod airfoil, has an area of 180 sq ft (17 m2) and mounts flaps. The aircraft’s recommended engine power range is 150 to 260 hp (112 to 194 kW) and standard engines used include the 180 hp (134 kW) Lycoming O-360 and 250 hp (186 kW) Lycoming O-540 four-stroke powerplants. Construction time from the supplied kit is 1200 hours.
With a 52 inch cargo door, the Bearhawk has a 12 inch C of G envelope. The painted 4130 tube fuselage is ready for covering, giving an actual builders’ time of 850-1200 hours. The all metal wings are 90% factory riveted, with solid rivets. Useful load ranges from 1,000-1,300 pounds and can carry four adults and full fuel. The back seat can be removed resulting in a huge cargo area with unobstructed access. Not only does the back seat have its own door, but also the door combines with the cargo door to allow a six-foot loading area.
The Bearhawk has an all metal wing with a fabric covered steel tube fuselage and tail feathers. The modified 4412 airfoil combined with big flaps and a long, all metal wing offer the best combination for short field take off and landings. A Cessna windshield, modified lift struts, and the fiberglass nose bowl are some airframe components that need not be built by the homebuilder. The builder time is estimated at 1500-2000 hrs. The Bearhawk kit plane is available in a “quick build” kit. Some Bearhawk owners have put the big tundra tires on their airplanes, and operate on the remote landing spots used by bush pilots in Alaska.
The Bearhawk useful load (depending on engine and builder finish out) ranges from 1100-1500 lbs. The 50 USgallon main fuel tanks can be filled and four full sized adults carried with room left over for 250 lbs of baggage or cargo.
The back seat can be removed resulting in a huge cargo area with unobstructed access. Not only does the back seat have its own door, but the back door combines with the cargo door to allow a six foot loading area. In addition, the back seat can be flipped around and mounted with the seat facing aft. This moves the CG of the rear seat passengers 8 or 9 inches forward.
The two prototype Bearhawks (180 hp & 260 hp) have accumulated well over 1000 hours of flight time. There are at least two Bearhawks built by builders with over 700 hours on them.
Introduced in 1995, plans were offered for sale and over 1400 sets of plans have been sold. By November 2012 66 examples had been registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration and seven with Transport Canada. There are over 100 Bearhawks flying in the USA and around the world. The kit only price in 2011 was US$35,295.
The plans are now included at no additional cost with the purchase of a full Quick Build kit for the Bearhawk or Patrol.
If less than a full QB kit is purchased, then the plans must be bought from R & B Aircraft (Bob Barrows).
The Bearhawk can be built from plans alone, built from a Quick Build kit made by Bearhawk Aircraft, or some combination of the above. According to Bob Barrows, the QB kit can save up to 70% or more of the time required to build.
The price in 2014 was $295 US for the four place Bearhawk plans. Get a description of the plans or purchase plans online at http://mybearhawk.com/bearhawkplans.html
If less than a full Quick Build kit is purchased, then the plans must be bought from R & B Aircraft (Bob Barrows). The plans are now included at no additional cost with the purchase of a full Quick Build kit for the Bearhawk or Patrol.
The Patrol version can be built from plans alone, built from a Quick Build kit made by Bearhawk Aircraft, or some combination of the above. According to Bob Barrows, the QB kit can save up to 70% or more of the time required to build.
The price is $280 US for the Patrol plans, and can be paid with a money order, US personal check, Canadian Postal Money Order (US $), or international money order (US $).
Get a description of the Patrol version plans or purchase plans online at http://mybearhawk.com/patrolplans.html
Float plane flying customers suggested putting doors on both sides of the Patrol instead of just the right hand side door to allow more flexibility while docking in windy conditions,. In addition, they requested the fuselages come from the factory with the rear float attach fittings already welded in place. With these suggestions became the Patrol SP (Sea Plane). This model incorporates those two approved design changes; along with some structural strengthening by using thicker wall tubing above the rear float attach fittings. The price of this full Patrol SP Quick Build kit was US$39,700 in 2014.
Prices and contents of the Full Bearhawk kits and components (2014):
Full Bearhawk Quick Build fuselage – $23,025
Includes everything that comes with the Bearhawk Quick Build Kit
BASIC FUSELAGE $11,600
The basic fuselage structure complete, but with only the most important attach fittings finish welded on. These are:
Wing attach fittings
Wing Strut Fittings
landing gear attach fittings
wing strut attach fittings
and the tail surfaces attach fittings.
A straight, true fuselage finish welded. Unpainted because there are many parts that still need to be welded on.
Bearhawk Quick Build Wings – $18,475
Includes everything that comes with the Bearhawk Quick Build Kit
WING COMPONENT KIT $7,250
Ribs formed (includes all wing, flap, aileron ribs)
All spars primed, assembled and finished
Patrol kit pricing (2014)
Basic QB Kit – $30,825
(Some welding required)
Includes: Quick-build Wing Kit – Basic Fuselage Kit
Deluxe QB Kit – $39,105
(No welding required)
Includes: Quick-build Wing Kit – Deluxe Fuselage Kit
Quick-Build Wing Kit – $17,305 These wings are sold in an advanced level of completion. The top skin is completely finish riveted. The forward edge of the bottom skin is finish riveted to the bottom flange of the main spar, and aft of the main spar the bottom skin is drilled and dimpled as are the ribs the bottom skin is riveted to. The bottom skin is pop riveted (with a few pops) for shipment. Spars and all spar parts are alumi-prepped, alodined, and primered with MIL-P-23377E strontium chromate epoxy primer. Wing skin interiors and all ribs are primered with Zinc Chromate. Steel parts in the wings are primered with epoxy primer and top coated with MIL-C-22750D epoxy paint. Quick Build wings come with ailerons and flaps 90% finished, but still requiring fabric covering. Fuel tanks are included,but must be installed.
Basic Fuselage – $15,500 Welding required. Includes finish welded fuselage frame (unpainted) and motor mount, all major fittings are welded in place, tabs, sheet metal and minor fitting to be done by builder, landing gear, control stick assembly, rudder pedals and flap controls are finished. Horizontal stabilizer, elevator and rudder are finish welded.
Deluxe Fuselage – $21,800 No welding required by builder. The fuselage and all fittings are completed, sand-blasted and epoxy primed. All steel parts are coated with the epoxy primer and top coated with MIL-C-22750D epoxy paint. Sheet metal is included; cut and ready to be assembled, but may require some trimming. Door and frames, seat frames and the fiberglass nose bowl are included.
Builders of the Bearhawk can purchase the plans and can purchase some sub-kits or components.
The two-place side-by-side Bearhawk Companion aircraft is derived from the tandem Bearhawk Patrol wings and four-place Bearhawk 5 fuselage. The aircraft features flush rivet aluminium wings, a steel tube fuselage, and an Airfoil shaped empennage. The fuselage is slightly shorter than the Model 5.
The first flight of the Bearhawk Companion was announced in early 2021.The first flight was performed by the aircraft builder, Dave Lenart of Vermont, USA. It was built from a manufactured kit.
The Companion handles and performs much like the narrower Patrol.
Variants:
Bearhawk
Four seat model with a cabin 42.5 in (108 cm) wide and a gross weight of 2,700 lb (1,225 kg), with 75 reportedly completed and flown by December 2011.
Patrol
Two-seats in tandem model with a cabin 32 in (81 cm) wide and a gross weight of 2,000 lb (907 kg), with three reportedly completed and flown by December 2011.
Specifications:
Engine HP range 150-260 hp
Wing span 33 ft.
Wing Area 180 sq. ft.
Length 23 ft 6 in
Empty Weight 1150-1350 pounds
Gross weight 2500 pounds (2700 pounds on floats)
Useful Load 1350-1150 pounds
Fuel Capacity 50 USG (standard) 68 USG (optional, w/aux tanks)
Vne 175 mph IAS
Cruise Speed (62% 260 hp) 150 mph TAS
Cruise Speed (180 hp) 135-140 mph TAS
Landing Speed 40 mph IAS
Takeoff Roll 200-500 ft
Rate of Climb @ gross 1,500-1,700 fpm
Range @ 65% est. 650 mi.
Range @ 50% est. 900 mi.
Cabin Width 42 in.
Cabin Length 9 ft 8 in. (firewall to back of back of baggage area)
Engine: Lycoming O-360, 170 hp
HP range: 150-260
Wing Span: 33 ft.
Wing Area: 180 ft.
Length: 23 ft. 6 in.
Height: 7 ft
Empty Weight: 1190 lbs.
Gross Weight: 2500 lbs.
Fuel cap: 55 USG
Top Speed (VNE): 175 mph
Cruise Speed: 120-150 mph
Landing Speed: 40 mph
Take Off Roll: 250-600 ft.
Range (55 gal @ 60%): 800 miles
Stall: 40 mph
ROC: 1500 fpm
Range: 800 sm
Service ceiling: 15,000 ft
Cabin Width: 42 in.
Cabin Length (Firewall to the end of baggage area): 9 ft. 8 in
Cockpit width: 30 in
Landing gear: tail wheel
Seats: 4
Engine: 180 hp.
Hp range: 150-260
Useful load: 1300 lb
Cruise 60% pwr: 134 mph
Cruise 75% pwr: 145 mph
Stall: 40 mph
Bearhawk
180hp
Wing span: 33 ft
Wing Area: 180 sq. ft
Length: 23 ft. 6 in
Empty Weight: 1150-1550 lb
Gross weight: 2500 lb
Gross weight w/floats: 2700 lb
Useful load: 1100 lb
Vne: 175 mph, IAS
Cruise 60% pwr: 135 mph
Cruise 75% pwr: 145 mph
Touchdown speed: 40 mph
Range std tanks: 650-800 mile
Range aux tanks: 850-1000 mile
Range @ 65% est: 650 mi.
Range @ 50% est: 900 mi.
Fuel std: 50 US gals
Length: 9 ft 8 in
Takeoff Roll: 200-500 ft
Rate of Climb @ gross: 1,500-1,700 fpm
Cabin Width: 42 in
Cabin Length: 9 ft 8 in
Cargo door: 52 in
CG envelope: 12″
Seats: 4
Engine: Lycoming O-540, 250 hp.
Hp range: 150-260
Length: 23.5 ft
Wingspan: 33 ft.
Wing area: 180 sq.ft.
Empty wt: 1400 lbs
Mtow: 2500 lbs.
Useful load: 1100 lb
Seats: 4
Fuel cap: 50 USG
Cockpit width: 42.5 in
Landing gear: tailwheel
Cruise 62% pwr: 150 mph
Cruise 75% pwr: 160 mph
Stall: 40 mph
Std Range: 650-800 sm
Opt Range: 850-1000 sm
ROC: 1700 fpm
TO dist: 400 ft.
Ldg dist: 350 ft
Bearhawk
Engine: 1 × Lycoming O-540, 250 hp (190 kW)
Propeller: 2-bladed constant speed
Length: 23.5 ft (7.2 m)
Wingspan: 33 ft (10 m)
Wing area: 180 sq ft (17 m2)
Airfoil: NACA 4412 mod
Empty weight: 1,400 lb (635 kg)
Gross weight: 2,700 lb (1,225 kg)
Fuel capacity: 50 U.S. gallons (190 L; 42 imp gal)
Cruise speed: 155 mph (135 kn; 249 km/h)
Stall speed: 40 mph (35 kn; 64 km/h)
Range: 625 mi (543 nmi; 1,006 km)
Rate of climb: 1,700 ft/min (8.6 m/s)
Wing loading: 15 lb/sq ft (73 kg/m2)
Crew: one
Capacity: three passengers
Bearhawk
250 hp
Wing span: 33 ft
Wing Area: 180 sq. ft
Length: 23 ft. 6 in
Empty Weight: 1150-1550 lb
Gross weight: 2500 lb
Gross weight w/floats: 2700 lb
Useful load: 1300 lb
Vne: 175 mph, IAS
Cruise 62% pwr: 150 mph
Cruise 75% pwr: 160 mph
Touchdown speed: 40 mph
Takeoff dist: 400 ft at 2,500 lb
Range std tanks: 650-800 mile
Range aux tanks: 850-1000 mile
Fuel std: 50 US gals
Fuel aux: 72 USgals
cargo door: 52 in
CG envelope: 12″
Takeoff Roll: 200-500 ft
Rate of Climb @ gross: 1,500-1,700 fpm
Range @ 65% est: 650 mi.
Range @ 50% est: 900 mi.
Cabin Width: 42 in
Cabin Length: 9 ft 8 in
Seats: 4
Bearhawk Patrol
Engine: 115 hp to 210 hp
Top speed: 165 MPH
Cruise Speed: 140 MPH
Landing Speed: 35 MPH
Take-Off Roll (Gross Wt.): 250 ft
Range (55 gal. @ 35%): 900 miles
Empty Weight: 950+ lb
Gross Weight (Utility Stds.): 2,000 lb
Wing Span: 33 ft
Wing Area: 180 sq. ft
Length: 22 ft 8 in
Height (3 pt.): 6 ft 4 in
Cabin Width: 32 in
Cabin Length: 9 ft 5 in
Bearhawk Companion
Engine: Lycoming O-360, 180 hp
Payload: 1070 lb
Cruise: 145 mph
Fuel capacity: 50 USG
Airfoil: Riblett
Stall clean: 42 kt IAS
Stall w/flap: 38 kt IAS
Bearhawk Heavy Hauler / 4 place
Engine: up to 260 hp
150+ mph
Useful load: 1350 lb
Cabin width: 42 in
Landing speed: 40 mph
All Aero 