Thinking the Unthinkable: Not Finishing your Bearhawk Build

[X'N]

It would be one individual not a group. Mark you would have to prove to the FAA that you built the majority of the aircraft and that 51% of the aircraft was built by amateurs.

[N942VT]

I did start with a QB kit as Jared said, it was an abandoned kit from Washington state but not much done at all. If done again quite a bit of the 2000 hrs would be cut off the top. For me the 2000 hrs is a very accurate total, I logged every hour of build time very carefully. Time spent reading, researching, watching tutorials etc were not part of that but all that becomes more than part of the airplane, it's part of you and your life experience which you take with you after the project is done. As a first timer you don't know what you don't know and allot of time is spent learning, or finding out what you need to learn, then doing most things twice to get it right ...... so the time adds up. I have no doubt that when Bob or Mark says it can be done in under 1000 hrs that is realistic for a competent builder with no mods. Joe mentions building a car, I finished this cobra over the winter and it's a piece of cake compared to the Bearhawk, not even close in the time spent or the 'mental' work needed. Think of the consequences of not getting it right between the two. His point is a good one though that there are different ways to go for everyone depending on life's circumstances. Be realistic about whether you love the build or not, if you do, go for it but if you're more about flying you might want to rethink. Maybe buying a flying Bearhawk and then making some personal upgrades would be best for you. Laura and I plan to be at OSH so maybe we'll meet there. Dave photo.JPG

[alaskabearhawk]

"As a first timer you don't know what you don't know and a lot of time is spent learning, or finding out what you need to learn, then doing most things twice to get it right ...... so the time adds up." So true...sometimes even doing something for the third time!

[Denali]

I am reminded of what one quick wit once said, namely:

" If at first you don't succeed, maybe you just suck. "

[Battson]

... and skydiving isn't for you.

[Denali]

Speaking of finishing the kits or the scratchbuilds, I am wondering if the basic plans for the BearHawk have evolved over the years? Have errors slowly been identified and resolved as the years have gone go by ? Yes? No ? Not really ?

I have been reading all the BearHawk builder logs at mykitlog.com, and several folks were commenting about " errors " ? or misunderstandings ? in the plans. I believe some of the concerns focused on door sills and threshold plates , or something along that line, I have already ordered the ERB builder CD to have a quick look, and I may even order the Eric Newton builder assist manuals before traveling to OSH 2014 and pulling the trigger on this or another aircraft quick build kit.. I am worried about ending up in that " Twelve Years to Taxi " Club. :-)

Anything to make the build easier for the first time builder is welcome, including blueprint & manual updates.

[Battson]

The plans are being revised continually. Not just to fix errors, but to save weight and make things easier too (improvements). See Eric's website. Of course the basic design will not change, that's outside the scope of a revision.

[Denali]

@Battson:

Thanks. This link: http://bearhawksafety.com talks about the Engineering Updates. I am assuming that if one buys the latest 2014 plans, then what you get re the latest "plans" will have all that incorporated in there. I'd hate to have to trace down all the engineering changes and then accidentally miss a few. I guess I am being a little Obsessive Compulsive about this, but hey, look what initially happened to the Hubble Space Telescope .

Here is the phrase that I missed. My Bad.

Please note that once a notice or update is released, all plans numbers from that time forward have already been changed to reflect the updates/notices. Therefore, if your plans are dated after the dates listed below, there is no need to do anything. Your plans should already reflect the changes.

I have really got this thing narrowed down at this point to three manufacturers. As soon as the glaciers begin to recede here on the East Coast of the USA,, I plan to go and physically see a BH as a prep for OSH 2014.

There is also something very ?? and I can't quite describe it...very " eclectic" about the BearHawk Community. They strike me as smart savy people who are quietly and passionately enthusiastic about their BH, and who know deep down inside that any of the models do not need to apologize in any ay for not being a "SuperCub".

Anyway, I don't want to drift off thread. Again, my main concern is whether I will be able to personally swing the build. It clearly has more to do with my personal limitations than anything related to the actual aircraft or the quality of the builder documentation. You have a great build; your yellow BH is just stunning.

[marcusofcotton]

Denali,
Another great service Bob provides is updated work copies for plans holders, even for future purchasers of used plans sets (used being existing set, each set resulting in only one aircraft). They are the same as a full regular set except don't include the mylar wing sheet #7. He charges ~$35 delivered iirc. He also likes for 2nd hand plans purchasers to register with him. It is nice to be able to get accurate size updated copies to work from at a reasonable price. Each sheet is noted with a history of the dates of changes to it.

Wishing you well in the decision process, I know well that it can be difficult,
Mark J

[Scott Williamson]

Option Three: I'll be selling 509 after this kit is finished, sometime this year if you are interested. It is a wonderful aircraft with a strong Bob engine and many flying memories.

Scott

[Phil]

Denali,
Another great service Bob provides is updated work copies for plans holders, even for future purchasers of used plans sets (used being existing set, each set resulting in only one aircraft). They are the same as a full regular set except don't include the mylar wing sheet #7. He charges ~$35 delivered iirc. He also likes for 2nd hand plans purchasers to register with him. It is nice to be able to get accurate size updated copies to work from at a reasonable price. Each sheet is noted with a history of the dates of changes to it.

Wishing you well in the decision process, I know well that it can be difficult,
Mark J

Thanks, I need to call him. My plans are several years old and it would be great to get an up to date set. Also, I bought out another builder so have an extra original set of Patrol, and Bearhawk plans I should register with him.

Phil

[Chewie]

Please note that once a notice or update is released, all plans numbers from that time forward have already been changed to reflect the updates/notices. Therefore, if your plans are dated after the dates listed below, there is no need to do anything. Your plans should already reflect the changes.

I just purchased Plans SN 275 but they do not include the rudder stop, which appeared in an EN dated 9/2013. Each sheet lists dates for sheet revisions. It appears these are the dates to which the Engineering Notices dates should be compared, NOT the plan serial number date.

Basically a long way of saying I'm still going to cross check all Eng. Notices.