4 pl vs Patrol

[MSisk]

I was building a Bearhawk 4 place, then a Mustang II, and now have a set of plans for a Patrol. Long story short, I want a Bearhawk but for a time there I wanted fast cross country (truth is, I want to build them all). I had the opportunity to do some low and slow fun a while back and that immediately put me back on track with the Bearhawk but think tandem would be more appealing as 70% of the time it will be just me and think I look more forward to the build then anything. I have a flyable Cherokee that I don’t spend enough time flying (mostly because I spend my fuel money on aluminum and tools) so I am pretty confident that I can let myself sell the Cherokee when it’s time for an engine. So with that paragraph out of the way, I see quite a few builders have built a Patrol after building the 4 place. My question is which are ya’ll having more fun in? Looking at the published numbers they are relatively close enough to not be a serious issue (speed and useful load). So are people building the Patrol after a 4 place just for the sake of building another Barrow’s design or are they giving up space for more fun? All inputs welcome,
Mike

[jaredyates]

I've not built both, but have ridden in both. I'll say that there is a perception of much more room in the Patrol for the two people that get to go. This may be a factor if your regular passenger is a single person and not one you want to sit close to.

[MSisk]

I am selling the wife that she would have more room for her comfort.

[Battson]

It'd be interested to know what you get for her?? I could use the money myself... :-D

[MSisk]

I will let you know

[Chewie]

I just like the width you get with the tandem 2-place seating. A 32" wide cabin offers the same elbow room for each person as my pickup!

[Phil]

I haven't flown either Bearhawk yet, but I've flown tandem aircraft and side-by-sides, and tandems are more fun for just going out exploring. I love having equal visibility out both sides.

Honestly, if the LSA had been available when I started, I'd probably be building that. Light planes are a lot of fun, and those little continentals are beautiful smooth little engines.

[Enewton57]

I guess I am qualified to answer this one. I built my Bearhawk with the idea that my wife, daughter and grandson would explore the country flying everywhere together and getting rental cars wherever we land. My daughter never has time and my grandson doesn't want to go anywhere unless his friends can go too. My wife doesn't like long cross country flights. She prefers just flying around locally or maybe for some short two hour trips. So I found myself flying around with an empty back seat and sometimes three empty seats. Then Bob stopped by my place in his Patrol and I went for a ride in it. (link removed due to URL change) Well within a year, I was building my Patrol and the Bearhawk was sold to a guy up in Alberta Canada. Others have commented on the elbow room. I would add that I like the view better in the Patrol as well. What I mean by that is you can look down at the terraine from either side and your passenger can too. The biggest difference for me is the centerline seating when flying. I always tell people who ask me about the difference between the two, is how different I feel when flying. Both airplanes are a blast to fly, but for me the centerline seating gives me a feeling like I am connected with the airplane. Almost like its an extension of me. It just feels natural to me to be looking right over the center of the cowling. When I fly an airplane with side-by-side seating, I don't get that same connection with the airplane. I feel like I am sitting in an airplane flying it. With the centerline seating I feel like the airplane is an extension of me. I can better visualize whether or not I am straight on my landings, I can see better and I can feel the airplane in the seat of my pants better so I fly more coordinated without looking at the slip/skid ball. The one thing that I miss with the Bearhawk is the extra capacity when I am giving people rides. I used to be able take couples up for rides, or a kid and his parent, etc. now I am stuck with taking one person up while the other one waits there turn on the ground. Its much more fun to take up a whole family and fly them over thier house or farm rather than just one at a time. Also, don't discount the LSA. It is by far one of the easiest to fly airplanes that I have ever been in. Great performer and just all around fun to fly. Well there you have - both planes have their advantages. You just have to take an honest look at your mission and then decide.

[MSisk]

Great reply Eric. Thanks

[Battson]

I am in the other camp. I regularly haul more gear and people (or both at once) than the Patrol can handle. It all depends on your mission.
Some guys just like to build, which is great, and Bob's designs are a lot of fun there too.