What is a Bearhawk?
TRUE FOUR PLACE UTILITY
This is a truly usable airplane! Cockpit dimensions are slightly larger than the much loved Cessna 172, and include a large cargo area which has its own huge cargo door for access.
CARRY FOUR PEOPLE, FULL FUEL, AND 250 LBS
The useful load (depending on engine and builder finish out) ranges from 1100-1500 lbs. The 50 gallon main fuel tanks can be filled and four full sized adults carried with room left over for 250 lbs of baggage or cargo.
CARGO BAY WITH LARGE DOORS
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.
FLYING FOR 19 YEARS WITH 1400+ SETS OF PLANS SOLD
Professional engineer Bob Barrows originally designed the Bearhawk to carry aircraft engines for his engine rebuilding business in 1995. He offered plans for sale and over 1400 sets of plans have been sold. There are over 100 Bearhawks now flying in the USA and around the world.
OVER 1000 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME
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. Bearhawks have flown to Mexico, all around the bush up in Alaska, and into the rugged countryside of South Africa, Australia, and Brazil.
WIDE CHOICE OF ENGINES 150 HP TO 260 HP
The Bearhawk delivers outstanding performance (125 160 mph, 1000-2000 fpm climb) regardless of the engine. The take off and climb is truly impressive making it an ideal airplane for all types of applications including floats
TUBING FUSELAGE WITH LOTS OF DOORS
The time proven 4130 steel tube fuselage is the accepted standard for both longevity and crash survivability. For those thinking of serious bush operations, it is also the most easily repaired in the case of an accident.
ALL METAL WINGS WITH LOTS OF FLAPS
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. Depending of course on the pilots skill, the Bearhawk can operate safely from most any field that is called an airport. 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 a strut-braced high-wing, a four-seat enclosed cabin that is 42.5 in (108 cm) wide and 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.
General characteristics:
Crew: one
Capacity: three passengers
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)
Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-540 six cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 250 hp (190 kW)
Propellers: 2-bladed constant speed
Performance:
Cruise speed: 155 mph (249 km/h; 135 kn)
Stall speed: 40 mph (64 km/h; 35 kn)
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)