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My Patrol was started in March 2017 and had its first flight February 2025. It was my first aircraft build. When I bought the kit, bob had three designs. The original Bearhawk (Now known as the Alpha or 4 Alpha) with the modified NACA airfoil, the Patrol and LSA. I value Utility, efficiency and ease of maintenance and so they drove the build's decision making process.
Firewall Forward: I had Bob build a Lycoming IO-360 with Bendix Fuel Injection. I installed a Hartzell Trailblazer prop and two Surefly electronic ignition modules instead of magnetos. It also has a Vetterman Crossover exhaust system. I used a Vans Aircraft airbox, induction scoop, and Baffle kit. The engine cowl was Bob's design but I installed Piper Cowl Latches instead of quarter turn fasteners.
Weight and Balance: It weighed 1190 lbs, and has an empty CG 2% forward of the forward limit. I have declared its MGTOW in Utility Catagory 2000 lbs, MGTOW in Normal Catagory 2200 lbs and MLGW 2000 pounds. So it has a 1000 pound useful load. When I fly with 10 gallons of fuel the CG is 5% aft of the forward limit. Full Fuel puts me 21% aft. Full Fuel, my wife, and 100 pounds of cargo outs me 53% into the evelope. Everything that gets put in the aircraft moves the CG aft. The pragmatic summery of the weight and balance is "it has no limits". For example, with me, my wife, full fuel and 500 lbs of cargo we are 100 pound below gross, and still inside the limit. No way it will all fit!
Panel: The panel is simple VFR. It has a portable panel mount Garmin Aera 660 navigator, a G5 primary flight instrument, a round airspeed indicator, a Trig comm and Trig Transponder with ADS-b. The engine monitor is an Electronics International CGR-30P. My only external antenna is a short transponder antenna. All others are internal.
Tires: 8.50 x 6 6 ply standard tire. Nothing fancy.
IMG_2942.png IMG_2979.pngLast edited by Bcone1381; Yesterday, 11:58 AM.Brooks Cone
Southeast Michigan
Patrol #303, Kit build -
Looks great Brooks!Comment
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