Bearhawk STOL mods

[Battson]

Three hangers to match Bearhawk design.
They are not my photos to post, I will have to ask about more sharing.

[Shopperly]

This is really interesting news - thanks for updating us!

Are these flaps a 3 or 4 hanger design?

Can you post some more pictures please?!

[svyolo]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting the pics and information.

[Russellmn]

I assume (hope?) that we will learn what the "ideal" pocket for the flaps is? Maybe I'll just plan on building for these off the bat? Looking forward to flight test impressions.

[Battson]

I have seen the flaps installed and functioning.
They look great and function well with the Bearhawk drive modification, to convert the Bearhawk flap handle through to a cub throw.
He has indicated they just bolted straight on, and were easily installed. Of course there are some simple wing skin modifications around the flap pocket too.

One opportunity missed, the modifications to the wing pocket have not created the 'ideal' pocket for the first stage of the flaps. The first stage will probably be un-blown. Though this could be improved at a later stage.

The aircraft is not flight-ready yet. All builders will understand this, 90% finished and 90% still to be done.
It will be interesting to see how they perform.


IMG_2163.JPG

Yes that is a Bearhawk 4-place, and those flaps are 98.5" long.... They increase the wing area by several square feet when extended, not to mention the camber!!

[Shopperly]

Mark - do you know whether the builder is prepared to share any of his experiences yet with these Airframes flaps?

[Shopperly]

Whee, let the guy fly first and evaluate what he is having done to his BH. After that if he is willing - no problem. Mark

Is there an update on this very interesting project?

[Mark Goldberg]

Whee, let the guy fly first and evaluate what he is having done to his BH. After that if he is willing - no problem. Mark

[whee]

Is he installing a true Fowler that actually moves aft or the STOL Performance flap from Airframes Alaska?

Mark or Jono, If you thinks it’s appropriate I’d appreciate the owners contact info. I’d sure love to go see this plane and get a ride when it’s done. He’s likely only an hour or two flight from me.

[Mark Goldberg]

The Bearhawk being modified is an A model based in Utah. The owner is a retired airline pilot who is very good with the plane. He will give a report that we will learn from. Mark

[schu]

The plane should be finished and delivered in a week from today. Then they'll be doing paint and probably flying within another week.

98.5" of double slotted fowler flaps. I can hardly wait to hear the reports.

Where is the airplane? In Alaska? Oregon?

This is an A model or a B model?

Does the pilot know how to fly slow well enough to properly evaluate?

VERY interested in this!

[Battson]

Can you share any more info regarding progress on this development?

The plane should be finished and delivered in a week from today. Then they'll be doing paint and probably flying within another week.

98.5" of double slotted fowler flaps. I can hardly wait to hear the reports.

[Battson]

Checking...

[Shopperly]

Someone is doing this at the moment.

The design will allow Airframes AK to offer a standard bolt-on solution for Bearhawk aircraft wings, hopefully they do.

The issue (big unknown) is the pitching moment. Bob has advised that the tail may not be large enough to overcome the increased nose-up pitching forces created by the double slotted flaps. The ultimate solution will be larger tail wings, if gap seals / VGs / greater control deflection don't solve it first.

Can you share any more info regarding progress on this development?

[zkelley2]

How does it know flap position?