The LSA Bearhawk is meant to satisfy the old lightsport requirements, such as the 1320 lbs. weight limit, 120 kt max speed, etc. But with MOSAIC coming, pretty much all Bearhawks barring the model 5 will qualify (can’t seat more than 4 people, though only one passenger is allowed, so most 4 & 5 owners would have PPL regardless). While the LSA & Patrol airframes look similar, there are some differences. The LSA doesn’t have flaps, one is slightly taller and longer/shorter than the other (the website lists one as being 6’3” tall and the other as 6’5”, and one being 22’3” long and the other at 22’8”, and I remember the taller one is the shorter, but I forget which one). The LSA also has a wing area of 171 sq ft and the Patrol is 180 sq ft. Both planes have the same wingspan. The LSA cruises slower, but that is largely due to the smaller engines.
Could the LSA airframe support having the larger engine of the Patrol mounted? I was browsing through some older posts comparing the two, but I didn’t see where anyone has mounted a larger engine. Perhaps the larger engine would severely impact the CG. But even if the same engine/prop can be mounted, would the LSA cruise as fast as the Patrol? One big reason I’m sold on the Patrol is its faster-than-average cruise. But the LSA is priced lower than the Patrol ($13k lower for QB kit, and $15k lower for build assist), so that’s why I’m partially interested in this model.
Edit: Forgot to add the empty weight of LSA is 800 lbs., and the Patrol is 1150 lbs.
Could the LSA airframe support having the larger engine of the Patrol mounted? I was browsing through some older posts comparing the two, but I didn’t see where anyone has mounted a larger engine. Perhaps the larger engine would severely impact the CG. But even if the same engine/prop can be mounted, would the LSA cruise as fast as the Patrol? One big reason I’m sold on the Patrol is its faster-than-average cruise. But the LSA is priced lower than the Patrol ($13k lower for QB kit, and $15k lower for build assist), so that’s why I’m partially interested in this model.
Edit: Forgot to add the empty weight of LSA is 800 lbs., and the Patrol is 1150 lbs.
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