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Welcome to the Bearhawk community! Starting a new airplane project is a fun and exciting time, as is buying a new airplane. Here is a short guide to help you find your way.
First, Who's Who?
Bob Barrows
The Bearhawk airplanes are designed by Bob Barrows, in Fincastle, Virginia. Bob is the person to talk to if you want to buy a set of plans, or transfer ownership of a set of plans. When the plans are revised, Bob puts out official engineering updates, which are published at http://bearhawksafety.com/. You can subscribe to an email list to receive notice of updates, which are very infrequent. Bob also sells several specialized parts for the airplanes that Bob has designed, such as wing struts, landing gear shock strut parts, and composite parts. Bob is not available by email, but is often available by phone. Bob's quarterly newsletter is called Beartracks. It is published with Bob's editorial approval by BH Services LLC (more below) and subscriptions are available for $8 per year. You can build a Bearhawk with just the information in the plans, and early Beartracks, ordering raw materials and making your own jigs and tools. Ever wonder why Bob designs planes the way he does? Watch this: https://youtu.be/k4wid84CGZk
Bob's website for selling plans: https://bearhawkaircraftplans.com
Be careful! Scammers have successfully led builders to believe that they were buying a set of plans from Bob when they weren't. As of 8/2023, Bob is not accepting Paypal or any electronic payment methods.
Bearhawk Aircraft, Virgil Irwin
Bearhawk Aircraft is the company that sells quick-build kits for the Bearhawk designs. Bearhawk Aircraft also sells individual parts that make up kits, in case plans/scratch builders prefer not to make any particular parts. If you are in the market for a kit, or if you'd like to be, contact Virgil at https://bearhawkaircraft.com. Kits are hand-built by highly experienced craftsmen on heavy jigs and tooling, which means that bolt-on parts are interchangeable from one airframe to the next. By using those jigs and tools, and by purchasing materials in larger quantities than individual builders can, the price of the finished parts can be surprisingly favorable compared to scratch building. Mark also provides technical support for his kit customers, and provides this venue for both kit and scratch builders to help each other. The resale value of airplanes built from kits is higher than scratch-built planes, often enough to equal the small price premium of a quick-build kit vs a scratch build.
Second, Which Model?
There are currently five different airplane designs in the Bearhawk lineup. Here is a brief summary sorted by size:
Think of the Bearhawk LSA as a modern rethinking of the 1940s light two-seat airplanes like the Piper Cub or Aeronca Champ. The low speed is on par with these planes, but the stall characteristics are much less dangerous, and the top end speed is much faster. It is designed around the Continental 4-cylinder engines, though is also successful on similar small engines. It can be built to comply with the Light Sport rules, or can be built to a gross weight of 1500 pounds for folks who want to carry more and don't need the LSA benefits. Bob designed this airplane after lots of builders expressed interest in building an LSA-compliant Patrol, but once he flew it, it became one of his favorites.
The Bearhawk Patrol is a slightly heavier 2-seater that acts like a Super Cub except for in the top end speed, which can be as high as 150 miles per hour. Control harmony and pilot feel exceed most airplanes in its class, especially the old ones. It was the airplane that Bob designed to be his personal transportation on solo or 2-person trips from Virginia to Idaho, which means great short-field performance without sacrificing top end speed for when you want to get there in less than a week.
The Bearhawk Companion grew out of customer interest in having a side-by-side 2-seat airplane. While the other designs have all been clean-sheet drawings from the ground up, the companion takes the best of the Bearhawk 4-Place fuselage, and the Bearhawk Patrol wings, to yield a very capable airplane without significant factory retooling. The outside dimensions of the fuselage steel frame are the same as the Bearhawk 4-Place, but the nose is shorter, there is no cavernous cargo door, and the cabin is shorter.
The original Bearhawk was renamed the Bearhawk 4-Place after Bob started releasing other planes into the lineup. He designed it to replace his ageing Cessna 170, which he used for collecting and delivering engines in his rebuilding business. This airplane was designed around the Lycoming 360 series of engines, with a gross weight of 2500 pounds that typically yields payload capability on the order of 900 pounds. Eventually Bob revisited the design and employed the experience and knowledge he gained in his more recent designs. This updated design is called the "Model B" and all new plans and kits are delivered with the Model B revisions that reduce drag, improve performance, and simplify construction.
The Bearhawk Five is the 5th design in the Bearhawk lineup. It has all of the refinements of the Model B Bearhawk 4-Place like the Riblett airfoil and profiled horizontal stabilizer, but has a longer and wider cabin, more gross weight, and enough space for a third row of seating. The first prototype flew in spring 2020 and quick-build kits are available for order.
Third, What Resources are Available?
https://Bearhawkforums.com
You've already found one of the most important resources, which is this forum! Experienced builders and owners are happy to answer your questions, and odds are good that your questions are already answered in our extensive and constantly growing archive. Use the search box on the upper right corner of your screen to access a google-powered search of all previous posts. Volunteer moderators help direct traffic and try to swat away the spam robots.
https://Bearhawk.tips
Think of bearhawk.tips is an online bookshelf for Bearhawk books. There are two "books" available, including the Beartracks newsletter archive for purchase, and an old builder manual for the quick-build kits available for free. The Kit Builder Manual is no longer the most current builder resource; the most current information about building kits is at https://www.bearhawkaircraft.com/manuals. The old manual at bearhawk.tips remains available for folks building older kits. The Beartracks newsletters from 1995-2001 are included with the Bearhawk plans, so access to those years is available free of charge to plans holders. Beartracks newsletters from 2002-2025 are available for purchase. If you have purchased a project from someone else, the seller may also choose to transfer the ownership of any Beartracks subscriptions, so be sure to ask. Proceeds from the paywalled Beartracks archive help pay for the resources to operate bearhawk.tips, this forum, and other builder resources. The Beartracks newsletter from 2026 onward is a free subscription, and you can sign up at https://bearhawk.tips/beartracks-signup. The point of contact is jaredyates at BH Services LLC.
The Bearhawk Builder Map
Finding a fellow Bearhawk builder close by will greatly improve your experience! And you'll likely find that most Bearhawk builders are of a similar mindset and have other common interests. You can view the current map through the link in the blue tab above, or by visiting http://bearhawkbuilder.com.. Entries are entirely based on those who opt-in, so keep in mind that there may be many builders or owners who are not depicted on the map, and that entries may not be current. If you'd like to be included on the map, or change your existing entry, please email web@bearhawkbuilder.com.
Eric Newton's Builder Manuals
Many years ago, scratch builder Eric Newton documented his build in a series of manuals that he provides for purchase. Most scratch builders find these manuals very helpful. Many kit builders find his "Finishing" manual handy. They are available here: https://bhtailwheels.com/builder-manuals">https://bhtailwheels.com/builder-manuals. Eric also sells beautifully crafted tailwheels designed by Bob Barrows, which are suitable for all three of Bob's designs and most other home-built airplanes with either leaf springs or round tapered rod springs.
Russ Erb's Reference CD
Similarly, another scratch builder named Russ Erb documented his build along with several resources, which he provides on a CD for purchase at http://bhcd.erbman.org/. Russ and Eric completed their first flights on the same day, June 7, 2008, along with a third Bearhawk in Arizona.
Bearhawkstore.com
Bearhawkstore.com is also part of the third-party BH Services LLC that administers Bob's Beartracks newsletter and this forum. If you like the old logo that Bob prefers, with the script "Bearhawk" word, bearhawkstore.com is the place to go for Bearhawk-branded things like hats, shirts, stickers, etc. Have a favorite item that you'd like to have the Bearhawk logo added to? No problem. Want custom-cut vinyl graphics for the inside or outside of your airplane, or anything else (except pets)? Bearhawkstore.com can do that.
Bearhawk Transition Training
If you are preparing to fly your Bearhawk and would like to get experience flying in someone else's Bearhawk first, that is available. Details are at http://bearhawktraining.com, along with important caveats and restrictions. Training is available to pilots who are just about to fly their airplane for the first time. Ideally, you want to train right after your airworthiness certificate is issued so that your skills are fresh. If you just want to get some stick time or seat time in a Bearhawk, any willing owner can help with that. Similarly but separate from the transition training, Jared is also an EAA Flight Advisor and can help you prepare for your first test flights through that program on a volunteer basis.
What else?
Since this is a sticky topic, if you are a Bearhawk builder and have found a particular reference especially handy, post it in a reply below so that future newcomers will benefit from your findings.
First, Who's Who?
Bob Barrows
The Bearhawk airplanes are designed by Bob Barrows, in Fincastle, Virginia. Bob is the person to talk to if you want to buy a set of plans, or transfer ownership of a set of plans. When the plans are revised, Bob puts out official engineering updates, which are published at http://bearhawksafety.com/. You can subscribe to an email list to receive notice of updates, which are very infrequent. Bob also sells several specialized parts for the airplanes that Bob has designed, such as wing struts, landing gear shock strut parts, and composite parts. Bob is not available by email, but is often available by phone. Bob's quarterly newsletter is called Beartracks. It is published with Bob's editorial approval by BH Services LLC (more below) and subscriptions are available for $8 per year. You can build a Bearhawk with just the information in the plans, and early Beartracks, ordering raw materials and making your own jigs and tools. Ever wonder why Bob designs planes the way he does? Watch this: https://youtu.be/k4wid84CGZk
Bob's website for selling plans: https://bearhawkaircraftplans.com
Be careful! Scammers have successfully led builders to believe that they were buying a set of plans from Bob when they weren't. As of 8/2023, Bob is not accepting Paypal or any electronic payment methods.
Bearhawk Aircraft, Virgil Irwin
Bearhawk Aircraft is the company that sells quick-build kits for the Bearhawk designs. Bearhawk Aircraft also sells individual parts that make up kits, in case plans/scratch builders prefer not to make any particular parts. If you are in the market for a kit, or if you'd like to be, contact Virgil at https://bearhawkaircraft.com. Kits are hand-built by highly experienced craftsmen on heavy jigs and tooling, which means that bolt-on parts are interchangeable from one airframe to the next. By using those jigs and tools, and by purchasing materials in larger quantities than individual builders can, the price of the finished parts can be surprisingly favorable compared to scratch building. Mark also provides technical support for his kit customers, and provides this venue for both kit and scratch builders to help each other. The resale value of airplanes built from kits is higher than scratch-built planes, often enough to equal the small price premium of a quick-build kit vs a scratch build.
Second, Which Model?
There are currently five different airplane designs in the Bearhawk lineup. Here is a brief summary sorted by size:
Think of the Bearhawk LSA as a modern rethinking of the 1940s light two-seat airplanes like the Piper Cub or Aeronca Champ. The low speed is on par with these planes, but the stall characteristics are much less dangerous, and the top end speed is much faster. It is designed around the Continental 4-cylinder engines, though is also successful on similar small engines. It can be built to comply with the Light Sport rules, or can be built to a gross weight of 1500 pounds for folks who want to carry more and don't need the LSA benefits. Bob designed this airplane after lots of builders expressed interest in building an LSA-compliant Patrol, but once he flew it, it became one of his favorites.
The Bearhawk Patrol is a slightly heavier 2-seater that acts like a Super Cub except for in the top end speed, which can be as high as 150 miles per hour. Control harmony and pilot feel exceed most airplanes in its class, especially the old ones. It was the airplane that Bob designed to be his personal transportation on solo or 2-person trips from Virginia to Idaho, which means great short-field performance without sacrificing top end speed for when you want to get there in less than a week.
The Bearhawk Companion grew out of customer interest in having a side-by-side 2-seat airplane. While the other designs have all been clean-sheet drawings from the ground up, the companion takes the best of the Bearhawk 4-Place fuselage, and the Bearhawk Patrol wings, to yield a very capable airplane without significant factory retooling. The outside dimensions of the fuselage steel frame are the same as the Bearhawk 4-Place, but the nose is shorter, there is no cavernous cargo door, and the cabin is shorter.
The original Bearhawk was renamed the Bearhawk 4-Place after Bob started releasing other planes into the lineup. He designed it to replace his ageing Cessna 170, which he used for collecting and delivering engines in his rebuilding business. This airplane was designed around the Lycoming 360 series of engines, with a gross weight of 2500 pounds that typically yields payload capability on the order of 900 pounds. Eventually Bob revisited the design and employed the experience and knowledge he gained in his more recent designs. This updated design is called the "Model B" and all new plans and kits are delivered with the Model B revisions that reduce drag, improve performance, and simplify construction.
The Bearhawk Five is the 5th design in the Bearhawk lineup. It has all of the refinements of the Model B Bearhawk 4-Place like the Riblett airfoil and profiled horizontal stabilizer, but has a longer and wider cabin, more gross weight, and enough space for a third row of seating. The first prototype flew in spring 2020 and quick-build kits are available for order.
Third, What Resources are Available?
https://Bearhawkforums.com
You've already found one of the most important resources, which is this forum! Experienced builders and owners are happy to answer your questions, and odds are good that your questions are already answered in our extensive and constantly growing archive. Use the search box on the upper right corner of your screen to access a google-powered search of all previous posts. Volunteer moderators help direct traffic and try to swat away the spam robots.
https://Bearhawk.tips
Think of bearhawk.tips is an online bookshelf for Bearhawk books. There are two "books" available, including the Beartracks newsletter archive for purchase, and an old builder manual for the quick-build kits available for free. The Kit Builder Manual is no longer the most current builder resource; the most current information about building kits is at https://www.bearhawkaircraft.com/manuals. The old manual at bearhawk.tips remains available for folks building older kits. The Beartracks newsletters from 1995-2001 are included with the Bearhawk plans, so access to those years is available free of charge to plans holders. Beartracks newsletters from 2002-2025 are available for purchase. If you have purchased a project from someone else, the seller may also choose to transfer the ownership of any Beartracks subscriptions, so be sure to ask. Proceeds from the paywalled Beartracks archive help pay for the resources to operate bearhawk.tips, this forum, and other builder resources. The Beartracks newsletter from 2026 onward is a free subscription, and you can sign up at https://bearhawk.tips/beartracks-signup. The point of contact is jaredyates at BH Services LLC.
The Bearhawk Builder Map
Finding a fellow Bearhawk builder close by will greatly improve your experience! And you'll likely find that most Bearhawk builders are of a similar mindset and have other common interests. You can view the current map through the link in the blue tab above, or by visiting http://bearhawkbuilder.com.. Entries are entirely based on those who opt-in, so keep in mind that there may be many builders or owners who are not depicted on the map, and that entries may not be current. If you'd like to be included on the map, or change your existing entry, please email web@bearhawkbuilder.com.
Eric Newton's Builder Manuals
Many years ago, scratch builder Eric Newton documented his build in a series of manuals that he provides for purchase. Most scratch builders find these manuals very helpful. Many kit builders find his "Finishing" manual handy. They are available here: https://bhtailwheels.com/builder-manuals">https://bhtailwheels.com/builder-manuals. Eric also sells beautifully crafted tailwheels designed by Bob Barrows, which are suitable for all three of Bob's designs and most other home-built airplanes with either leaf springs or round tapered rod springs.
Russ Erb's Reference CD
Similarly, another scratch builder named Russ Erb documented his build along with several resources, which he provides on a CD for purchase at http://bhcd.erbman.org/. Russ and Eric completed their first flights on the same day, June 7, 2008, along with a third Bearhawk in Arizona.
Bearhawkstore.com
Bearhawkstore.com is also part of the third-party BH Services LLC that administers Bob's Beartracks newsletter and this forum. If you like the old logo that Bob prefers, with the script "Bearhawk" word, bearhawkstore.com is the place to go for Bearhawk-branded things like hats, shirts, stickers, etc. Have a favorite item that you'd like to have the Bearhawk logo added to? No problem. Want custom-cut vinyl graphics for the inside or outside of your airplane, or anything else (except pets)? Bearhawkstore.com can do that.
Bearhawk Transition Training
If you are preparing to fly your Bearhawk and would like to get experience flying in someone else's Bearhawk first, that is available. Details are at http://bearhawktraining.com, along with important caveats and restrictions. Training is available to pilots who are just about to fly their airplane for the first time. Ideally, you want to train right after your airworthiness certificate is issued so that your skills are fresh. If you just want to get some stick time or seat time in a Bearhawk, any willing owner can help with that. Similarly but separate from the transition training, Jared is also an EAA Flight Advisor and can help you prepare for your first test flights through that program on a volunteer basis.
What else?
Since this is a sticky topic, if you are a Bearhawk builder and have found a particular reference especially handy, post it in a reply below so that future newcomers will benefit from your findings.
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