How expensive is Bearhawk’s build assist?

[Dougla$]

This is my first post, and I hope I’m not breaking any rules by posting this here instead of the building tips forum. I’m posting here as I believe it’ll get more traffic.

On Bearhawk’s website, they claim to be able to help you build an aircraft in 10-20 days with their fast build. How accurate would you say this is? And more importantly, how expensive would this be (in addition to purchasing the kit, engine, etc.)? The saying for all those wanting to own an EAB is that if you really want to build an airplane, then build. But if you want to just fly, then buy one that’s already built. I myself am one of those who does NOT want to build, nor do I have the mechanical aptitude. However, there don’t seem to be many Bearhawks for sale. I’m not in the market for ownership YET, but I’m definitely looking. I understand that for most (if not all) brands, build assist is usually very expensive and it would be far more affordable to buy used which is likely what I’d end up doing. But perhaps the build-assist premium that Bearhawk charges isn’t as terrible as other manufacturers/facilities (although seeing as how they don’t list the price, I’m not optimistic).

Ps. The aircraft I’m interested in is the Patrol. Very comfortable cockpit space with fantastic visibility, and has reasonably fast cruising speed for a backcountry aircraft.

[N204jh]

It's on their website. Click on the Patrol aircraft selection and then select Build Yours. It's at the bottom right. For the Patrol, it's $80,000 and they are taking reservations for 2027. They also have Build Assist partners, which are also listed on the website.

I would encourage you to spend time on their website first...

[jaredyates]

Welcome to the forum! We worry less about being in exactly the right category, and more about not posting the same thing multiple times across different categories, so you're good there.

I was listening to Virgil talk at Oshkosh about his Build Assist process, and while I definitely don't speak for him, I have the impression that those numbers of days are not a contiguous single block of days, but rather at least two different sessions with a weeks-long break in between where a lot of magic happens. He said the actual calendar span also depends on builder choice factors, like how complex the paint job is, for example.

Also, I got the impression that so far the build assist process has applied to the Five and not yet to the Patrol. I wonder if that is because of market/customer interest, the pace of the program rollout, or what.

Reach out to Virgil, he and his wife are the best equipped to answer, and I would have high confidence in the veracity of his answers and estimates. You can believe what he tells you, or at least I would.

[Dougla$]

Thanks for both of your replies. Embarrassingly, I was on the Bearhawk website but flatout didn’t see where they listed the price of build assist, but I see it now.

[TJ_Slice]

The Experimental Aircraft Channel just released a video about Stol-it build assist. It sounds like they getting a lot of Bearhawks. Interestingly, they are taking on projects mid-build.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI3_s9tpNn8

[Dougla$]

Ironically, that’s about the same time I created this thread. Perhaps this could be a sign…

If a lot of pilots are building Bearhawks, then that means more good used ones on the market in the future for people like me. ?

[kuss]

Two items, I spoke with Kris of Stol-it in Tennessee at OshKosh this year. Not only a very likeable guy but obviously super passionate about building airplanes. He has all kinds of ideas about motor / prop combos and seems really willing to put the experiment in Experimental.
Second, that 10-20 days they talk about is 10-20 days of YOUR time. The overall build will take longer. You will have to spend 10-20 days at the facility along the way. They are not saying that your airplane will be ready to fly off 20 days after they get the kit...

PS love the Patrol for all the reasons you mentioned. Flying alone, you get to use that "reasonable" backcountry cruise speed... I would suggest "industry-leading" is a better adjective! Downside is if you fly with anybody else not in a Bearhawk, you're going to be throttling back to 100-110 so you don't leave them behind!

[Dougla$]

Two items, I spoke with Kris of Stol-it in Tennessee at OshKosh this year. Not only a very likeable guy but obviously super passionate about building airplanes. He has all kinds of ideas about motor / prop combos and seems really willing to put the experiment in Experimental.
Second, that 10-20 days they talk about is 10-20 days of YOUR time. The overall build will take longer. You will have to spend 10-20 days at the facility along the way. They are not saying that your airplane will be ready to fly off 20 days after they get the kit...

PS love the Patrol for all the reasons you mentioned. Flying alone, you get to use that "reasonable" backcountry cruise speed... I would suggest "industry-leading" is a better adjective! Downside is if you fly with anybody else not in a Bearhawk, you're going to be throttling back to 100-110 so you don't leave them behind!

There’s a photo on the Bearhawk website of one with wheel pants. So I wonder how fast it’s capable of cruising if you don’t need tundra tires. Also they claim the option to install a Rotax 916is is coming soon, so if you’re willing to cruise at high altitudes (perhaps even hypoxia altitudes if you’re willing to use oxygen), there’s no telling what kind of cruise speed the Patrol could achieve.

I realize that STOL/backcountry airplanes aren’t meant to be speed machines, but being able to takeoff & land in your own backyard AND have decent cruise speed is a winning combination.

[TJ_Slice]

If a lot of pilots are building Bearhawks, then that means more good used ones on the market in the future for people like me. ?

I think we are at the tip of the spear, and will see an explosion of Bearhawks in the next year or two.

[500AGL]

The builder-assist program is two weeks of your time, typically the first week and the last week, and 6 months of the company time in-between. I believe TJ is right and the explosion of new Bearhawks flying is coming fast, I don't see any used market appearing for at least 5 years, and more likely 10.

[Bcone1381]

. Also they claim the option to install a Rotax 916is is coming soon, so if you’re willing to cruise at high altitudes (perhaps even hypoxia altitudes if you’re willing to use oxygen), there’s no telling what kind of cruise speed the Patrol could achieve.

I realize that STOL/backcountry airplanes aren’t meant to be speed machines, but being able to takeoff & land in your own backyard AND have decent cruise speed is a winning combination.

One data point I’ll throw out that validates this text is the time to climb (data is based on my 1200 lb Lycoming IO-360 180hp Patrol in upper Midwest in the summer (1000 msl @80f oat climbing to 9500’) ). . Even with my normal aspirated engine, it’s not at all painful climbing to 9,500 or 10,500 feet. That means to me it makes more sense to go high on shorter flights. Even a 45 minute flight.

There cruise speed is improved by 15 to 20 kts. I don’t know if its common in GA, or it the Ribblet airfoil or the trailblazer prop, but I get to altitude without delay. I’ve not timed my climb to 10K yet. But I think it’s less than 13 minutes. I’m climbing 90 kts @ 1000 ft/min thru 5000’ then keep about 1000ft/min a bit them reduce it a bit as I bleed off some speed migrating towards Vy. Throw in the turbo of 916…the only thing not to like is the missing sound of a Lycoming I suppose, or the headwinds up high heading west.

[N204jh]

The primary reason I selected the Bearhawk was exactly the point your making - no other experimental can takeoff / land in my backyard airstrip yet have a cruise speed of 150mph+. Everyone else focuses on the low end speed for STOL, but the top end is 100-110mph. That's the model from the trusty Supercub. STOL is great, but I was also looking for a cross country cruiser.

I just sold my backcountry 182 because it couldn't land in my backyard, but it did cruise at 155mph.

A friend said, "you want your cake and eat-it-too." And I said why not? That's the Bearhawk!!