what do we think so far ?

[fairchild1934]

Is there any consensus on how Virgil is doing with the company so far ?
so far - I am disappointed at the lack of parts support... things like the machined wing strut ends.....
(scratch builders vs quick build users ---)
Is there any evidence so far that any of those parts may return ?

Tim

[Steve W]

I contacted Virgil a few days ago about a couple of gas caps. I received three emails the same day ending with a request for my mailing address and him to forward an email invoice to pay with a credit card. I would think if he has the parts, they are available. If it’s an item that is out of stock and requires production, they may be produced in batches once or twice a year or maybe less frequent. I know some others are waiting for kit parts too like an engine mount for the 5. I don’t have a personal stake in the kit process but would think there are still some growing pains with the take over. Id give 100% for service from my small parts request.
And I have to clarify that the caps are for a project that the original owner had purchased just the bare auxiliary tanks, no caps, straps etc.

[TJ_Slice]

I received my kit in January. I made an oops on a door sill, and had to have one replaced. It had to be made at the factory, shipped to OK, and then to me. I got it in 3 weeks for a very reasonable price. As a kit builder, I have been thrilled with the support so far. Help is just a phone call away. Virgil even answered emails during Oshkosh. I am confident that Bearhawk is in good hands.

I am 100% sure that if Virgil and MacKenzie had not purchased Bearhawk, I would be building something else.

[Ryan Koeneke]

The 3d printed jigs, wing instruction manuals, solving the hardware kit issues, and fixing Bob's brake pedal master cylinder issue that preceded him buying the company (which he handled amazingly) were clear pieces of evidence that we're in damn good hands. Things will continue to improve because that dude works really hard, just go back and watch some of his build videos when he was a customer of Mark's or the work on John's or Erin&Paul's build assists to see that we're in good hands... I also had an oops and destroyed a trim push rod and virgil got me one asap for a super reasonable price and I bought a kit from Mark not Virgil but that didn't reflect at all in the customer service I received.

[Utah-Jay]

Virgil (and Mackenzie) are great to deal with! They have been nothing short of amazing. The kits are easier to build now with their input, you have the option of not only one build assist, but multiple build assist locations. And having been to Fairview a couple of times and at Oshkosh this year… I can tell you there are a lot of great things coming down the line! John McCardle’s plane will show some amazing advancements

[jaredyates]

Tim, I had to think about this one for a little while. But, what I land on is, I don't really think it matters. Virgil's not in an elected position. He's running a company that he owns the way that he wants to run it. It's his choice, his rewards and his consequences. If you have specific concerns or recommendations for him, you should share those with him. He may agree or may not agree. He may act or not act. You can buy from him or not buy from him. If he doesn't want to sell what you want to buy, that makes the decision easy. I know that change is hard in these long-term projects because we take on a project with a certain expectation for the availability of parts, materials, or even regulations that we plan to operate the airplane under. But as these projects span many years, those things can change. I guess my suggestion for optimum happiness is to frame the situation in a way so that you're not the victim. Make the best decision that you can based on the information that's available today, the products that are available today, and the reality that we're surrounded by, not an ideal that we may prefer, but that doesn't exist now. From my outside perspective, Virgil is moving some big mountains to achieve a particular type of product for a particular type of customer. I'm glad that he and his company are here. I'm glad to be an occasional customer, and I think it has strengthened the community to have had a kit option available over the many years. But I also knew when I started the project that I was never going to be dependent on a kit manufacturer to build, operate, or repair our plane in what is hopefully going to be decades to come. I think it's important that we continue to have this community space available to help each other reach goals like keeping our airplanes operating safely and our projects moving along, whether or not we are current Virgil customers.
I'd rather not reach a point where we're just here to grind axes, when there's not also an underlying information-sharing mission. If you've made it this far in my little manifesto, I do encourage you to tell me what you think, here or privately.

[Steve W]

I kinda felt privileged and excited beyond belief, being a scratch builder, to of had the opportunity to buy a rib and spar kit from Mark. Id rather go break up a bar fight on a Saturday night than fabricate wing ribs. Just something I detest.

[rv8bldr]

Amen. I did the same thing (that, and I didn't want to even try welding the tanks so I bought those too...)

[BrokenStraw]

I’m building a Companion from a QB kit and would give Virgil and Mackenzie high marks for responding to all of my questions, requests for recommendations, and orders. They are taking the company to a higher level and we will all benefit from their efforts.

[fairchild1934]

What you all are saying is encouraging in general. I suspect - as you all have said-- that he is doing a very good job at producing one of the best kits out there and making it even easier and better- like a whole new generation of better. I guess I miss the old web page where you could see what parts were available if you want to buy a small sub-section or individual parts. i was planning on buying Mark's steel tail ribs and the wing strut ends. I guess its stressful not knowing they are obtainable and not having any easy means to find out.

I think a interactive parts web page might be good-- where for each part we could sign up and fill a cue for that part and once the cue grew large enough- those parts could be mfg'd. And have the the page make it visible as to how may were in the cue and how many were needed to reach the magic number. Maybe that page could be seperate from the same parts being made and allocated for kit production. but maybe the page could be set up so that magic number had to be reached for production----- but if the factory ran out of those parts---- however many were in the cue could be added to the
order for the subcontractor to make. That might work for parts that the factory does not make for themselves. (?????) like the wing strut ends- which I assume are made on a CNC mill. Maybe to wing ribs and steel tail ribs......
I would -- LOVE--- some kind of parts web page showing what can be supplied, if any are availible from the factory, and if not currently- how many builders have signed up to get that part in an allmost seperate pipeline from the factorys. Something like that might be able to be run so that it didnt
need too much baby sitting from Virgils end. Maybe it could send an alarm e-mail to him when the parts sign up reached the minimum number to trigger
the sub to make a batch. i bet-- we have some bearhawkers who could program a web page to do that :-)

Just out of curiosity--- do we know how many scratch builders there are compared to quick build buyers ? Just wondering what the ratio might be.....
But in a way-- no matter how many we are-- we may not have much influence over what Virgil does. He has to do what makes his business healthy.
If he doesnt grow strong--- we are hurt too. and he needs to avoid growing topheavy like Van's did. Im glad they avoided a bad situation from not running a tight ship. If a plane that successful cant survive -- none of us can. running a business is --- NOT---- as is commonly believed now days--- a socialist experiment where those who dont contribute get a say in what happens. i would -- LOVE--- to do what Virgil has done. and other like him such as The Kimball family with the Pitts 12. If I can think of ideas to support him---- that only helps us all. I grew up in a family small business. i appreciate the effort that it takes. you live and breathe it every day. No one to blame but your self when things hit bumps.

Tim

[BarrysLSA]

I was a scratch builder of an LSA and bought several parts from Mark. I never had a problem at all dealing with Mark and he was always available. He would go out of his way to help me. I was flying my LSA before Bearhawk changed hands. Since then I have emailed Bearhawk twice and have left phone messages. No one has answered me back. What is the best way to reach someone? I just want a spare fuel cap in case I lost one.

[Sierra Skydog]

I purchased my LSA kit from Mark, and had only positive interactions with him. I’ve been very happy with Virgil as well—receiving back ordered brake master cylinders promptly and fast returned phone calls with answers to my questions. He’s taking on a lot and I think he’s working hard at it. Looking forward to the online parts store getting up and running.

[Dpearson]

I purchased a new Lycoming engine through the company under new management with great results. Virgil spent a long time on the phone with me sorting out details and the financial side of the transaction was handled professionally. I received exactly what I ordered, for the agreed price, ahead of schedule. As a builder I couldn’t ask for anything more.
I have some needs for a few “odds and ends” on the airframe side of the project, and I expect that will converge well too.

So two thumbs up from this builder!