Thinking the Unthinkable: Not Finishing your Bearhawk Build

[Denali]

I had the fortune a few weeks ago to talk on the phone with Bob Barrows. Besides talking about old Chryslers, life in the Shenandoah Valley, and a few other things, we also discussed that a lot of Bearhawk scratch builders do not finish their project. He encouraged me to get a Quick Build Kit.

So far, no problem. Unfortunately there is also a significant percentage of quick builders who also never finish. I am one of those folks currently considering several 4 place EAB quick build kits. One is the Quick Build 4 place Bearhawk. The reality is, the one commodity I really lack is enough free time. I’m not buying anything until after Oshkosh, but I don’t think I can handle 700-1000 hours for a quick build. So what are my options at this point ?

1. I guess hire someone to build it and not qualify for the 51% rule and the Repairman’s Certificate.
2. Hope that the Quick Build Kit will continue to be refined, and that estimated build time will decrease.
3. Buy a used 4 place BH.
4. End up with another plane from another manufacturer, possibly not a 4 place, but with a much more rapid estimated build time.

So being brutally honest with myself, given the current Quick Build complexity requiring 700+ hours, the dream of building a 4 place Bearhawk may be slowly fading away. Maybe Mark G. and the Quick Build Kit crew down in Texas can modify things without violating thre 51% rule. It might in fact help the Bearhawk to tie into a much broader market segment.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

[DesertBearhawk]

I'm a scratch builder and I agree that building an airplane is a huge deal even if its a kit. I am quickly finding out that its way more work than anybody could ever articulate. You just have to do it to fully understand. I've been on mine less than a year, I work it everyday in some fashion or another and the visual progress is not much. I think that in itself is what defeats many a builder. I personally think its a mind set, do or do not there is no try. I fully intend to finish my BH and fly the snot out of it. But I am a stubborn SOB. I hope you find the path that works for you.

[jaredyates]

If an experienced builder were to make no mods to the intended configuration of the kit, he might be able to complete it in 700 hours. I was inexperienced (still am mostly), and made a few changes, and I spent closer to 2000 after I purchased a kit that someone else had started on. Of course, knowing what I know now, I could have save several hundred hours of goofing around and repeating things. In general, it seems to be that building an airplane is not an efficient way to get an airplane. If you can make sure that the joy of the building process is the main reason for building, then I think you'll have much better odds of success, and the number of hours will matter less. If that is not the case, just buy a flying airplane and enjoy it.

[X'N]

The only reason you should build a plane is because you want to. Being able to fly it is a bonus in my mind.

[N942VT]

I couldn't agree more with Jared, my experience was just about the same - 2000 hrs. I love the build so it wasn't for me a problem but folks have got to understand up front that it is a BIG undertaking IF flying is the primary goal. The mind set has got to be 'I'm building an airplane', that's it, you'll fly when you fly. The best of course would be to own something to fly while you build your dream Bearhawk, take your time and enjoy the process. But let me tell you that flying the product of your labor couldn't get any better. It is worth the effort by far.

[marcusofcotton]

Option 1: Gives you a fancy lawn ornament - not a legal option and the FAA has come down harder on this in recent times.
Options 2 & 4: I'm not optimistic that either of these will work out for you.
Option 3: There it is, be careful and critical. Many folks do a fantastic job of building airplanes - some don't.

Mark J

[fixnflyr]

Denali,
That is smart to be honest with yourself and not pretend you will do something you know deep down you won't get around to. Gut feelings carry a lot of weight. If you are in a hurry to get a plane don't build it or buy a project, but buy something flying.
I am scratch building my Patrol because I want a brand new airplane build just the exactly perfectly way I want it. (not trying to be arrogant) I don't care how long it takes to build it because I love to build. I have been repairing old aircraft since 1984 and I want something new that does not need repairing.
I want to scratch build because I want to experience every aspect of building all of the parts. I want to make every weld including the fuel tanks because I love to Tig. I am also purposely not starting the build until I finish the 3 certified aircraft projects ahead of the Patrol, but I am starting to "tool up" on the things I don't have.
There is nothing wrong with buying a flying airplane if you are short on time, I just ask when you do take time to take pedestrian friends flying and introduce them to the world of flight. We need more people to experience GENERAL Aviation and all of it's benefits.
I have a Comanche 250 not that my son and I are flying the tar out of now and will soon be selling to find a nice Twin Comanche (maybe a keeper!)
Happy Landings,
Swaid

[Denali]

I actually would like to build and would enjoy it, but I know that time is always an issue for me. I am not retired, I do volunteer activities, have family members that need help with health issues, and the list goes on. My time is limited, and not out of choice.

I think that building and fixing things is becoming increasingly a niche activity. People just don't fix things anymore, kids don't assemble model airplanes, and in my area vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers get tossed when people cant figure out how to empty them or adjust a throttle linkage. A local doctor had a secretary buying a new printer every time the cartridge ran out. They went through 14 printer until someone asked the right question.

I am hoping that kit manufacturers in general will become more sensitive to this and make their quick build kits even easier to assemble. Rans and Zenith are quoting 250 - 400 hours for some of their two place QB kits, which may or may not be accurate. I don't know. .I think the BearHawk 4 place is a great plane, and I wish it could be made more available for folks who upon honest self examination can't see themselves able to realistically find 700 plus hours to assemble it.

I had a friend who simply built planes from scratch because he liked it. he never flew them. I want to use the product of my labors, and cant see myself in a 5+ year process to get there. Maybe mark G. and the AviPro crew can examine their current kit and see if it can be tweeked. Continuous improvement, including build time enhancements, is a good thing yes :-).

[Denali]

" Option 1: Gives you a fancy lawn ornament - not a legal option and the FAA has come down harder on this in recent times "

I thought you could easily hire someone to assemble any kit, you just cant the repairman's certificate. I could be wrong.

[Battson]

My experience was also closer to 2000hrs than 1000hrs, over 1.5 years of building, I did make a range of modifications. I didn't expect it to take so many hours, but I was more concerned by the calendar. If you don't want an aircraft tailored to your specific tastes, and just want to fly - buying used might suit you better.

[Denali]

@ jaredyates, Battson, & n943VT

You mention 2000 hours. I assume these are all for the Scratch build. I will definitely NOT be going the scratch route, if anything. The QB route is my only possible option, and even that is something which I am able to identify the time for within say a reasonable time period of ? 2-3 years. I am hoping that the quick build kits will maybe continue to improve. I was watching a video for Rans and Schlitter said that they continue to learn how to develop kits, making them easier and faster to complete.

So, I guess we will have to see how quickly these Bearhawk Quick Build kits go together. I am hoping that Mark G and others will continue to develop their QB product. I am sure I am not the only person who will benefit.

[Battson]

No - that is kit build.

Mine was at least 1,800hrs including all the preparations up until actually flying. I have a detailed log of at least 1,700hrs physical building. But not counting research and learning, ordering parts, driving to the store etc. Any manufacturer who talks about a 500hr build or similiar is kidding you or counting funny. You simply can't build 51% of a true 4 seat aircraft in a few hundred hours'.

It doesn't need to take 3 years unless you let it. If you're in a hurry, 18 months is entirely possible, you just need to plan ahead to avoid hold-ups.

[jaredyates]

Jon and Dave and I all have quick build kits, and that is what we are talking about with the 2000 hours. Apples to apples, you could probably double those numbers for scratch building

[Denali]

@ Battson :

" Any manufacturer who talks about a 500hr build or similiar is kidding you or counting funny. You simply can't build 51% of a true 4 seat aircraft in a few hundred hours'. "

Yeah...that reality is sinking in. Just as modular homes can now be erected in days, I was hoping that advancements in kit technology and modularization could be made without violating th 51% rule.

I may have to end up buying a used BH all assembled and not have the repairman's certificate, or end up with a Maule. I have been thinking of popping a few hundred dollars to buy all those construction videos from several sources that are available for the BH. I'd rather blow a few hundred dollars on CDs and realize I dont have what it takes than blow a few thousand on the actual kit and end up thinking the " Unthinkable". . Kinda depressing....I think Ill uncork another bottle of Scotch. :-)

[X'N]

While its not the airplane a BH is have you looked at the Zenith CH 801? I have no idea if their claim of 750 hrs is real or not but having seen the matched hole parts at Oshkosh it looks like it would go together pretty quickly. I was looking hard at the CH 601 before I found the patrol...

[TrueAirSpeed]

I am coming up on a year and a half on my four place QB and should have it flying at the two year mark. Bought one that was started by someone else and even at that there is a lot time involved. I'm retired so time is on my side as far a other commitments. I enjoy the building more than I ever thought I would. It's my second build, the first took seven years and five moves.