True Four Place Utility
This is a truly usable airplane! Cockpit dimensions are slightly larger than the much loved Cessna 172, and includes 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.
Wide Choice of Engines 150 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.
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.
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 (STOL). 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 Canadian bush pilots in northern Canada.
Specifications
Quick-Build Kits and Sub-components
Four People, Full Fuel, 150-160 mph
High useful load
- 1300 pounds w/180hp
- 1100 pounds w/250 hp
Useful Performance
- 250 hp -160 mph @75%-150 mph @62%
- 180 hp -145 mph@ 75 %-135 mph @ 60%
- 40 mph touchdown speed
- 400 foot takeoff at 2,500 pounds (250 hp)
- 650-800 mile range on standard tanks
- 850-1000 miles with aux tanks
Utility
- Four FAA-people, full fuel (50 gals std)
- Cabin size of Cessna 180
- 52 inch cargo door
- Super wide CG envelope (12″)
Construction
- Build time 850-1200 hours (actual builders’ times)
- All-metal wings-90% factory riveted, solid rivets
- Fuselage 4130 tube-painted and ready for cover
Proven Design
- 1000+ hours on prototype
- 140+ plus plus kits delivered
- 100+ Bearhawks flying worldwide (both from kits and plans)
- Performance specs verified by builders
Top Speed (Vne)
175 mph, IAS
Cruise Speed (260 hp)
150 mph (62%), TAS (varies with builder,engine,weight)
Cruise Speed (180 hp)
135-140 mph, TAS
Landing Speed
40 mph, IAS
Takeoff Roll
200-500 ft, demonstrated (depends on engine)
Rate of Climb @ gross
1,500-1,700 fpm (varies with builder,engine, etc.)
Range @ 65% est.
650 mi.
Range @ 50% est.
900 mi.
Empty Weight
1150-1550 pounds (varies w /builder /engine /prop)
Gross weight
2500 pounds (2700 pounds on floats)
Useful Load
950-1350 pounds (varies w/ builder/ engine/ prop)
Fuel Capacity
50 gallons (standard) 72 gallons (optional, w/aux tanks)
Wing span
33 ft.
Wing area
180 sq. ft.
Length
23 ft. 6 in.
Cabin Width
42 in.
Cabin Length
9 ft 8 in. (firewall to back of back of baggage area)
