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I'm trying to decide between three different aircraft and need to understand the Companion design and performance.
Passenger needs: 2-3 adults to for my entire family. We have only one child and it is unlikely our family will grow.
Cargo/payload: No need for moose or Harley's, this is why the 4-place is not a genuine need. I am concerned about luggage, etc. if all three of us are in the Companion. This seems to be an issue of where luggage would be stored in that no cargo area behind the rear seat area. I'm 6' & 158, my wife is 5'2" & 107, and our son is currently 5'8" & 130. Obviously, it is difficult to determine how often all three of us will be in the aircraft at one time. Our son is a teenager and should be headed to college in 2-3 years so it is possible I might not have the aircraft built by the time he relocates. On a good note, he loves the Patrol! Time and patience!
Takeoff/Landing attitude: Big concern! Why? My wife's petite stature. The long snout of the 4-place will not be good for her. I suspect landing will be more challenging than takeoff as one can learn to see around the cowl during takeoff but this will be a challenge for her regardless. Despite this factor, I am much more concerned regarding the landing attitude of the aircraft. I have learned in the Bearhawk Forums that a machining/Cub kit manufacturer in Wisconsin (?) analyzed the Bearhawk wing and found it strong enough for the Keller/PSTOL flaps but this is big bucks. What about altering the design for slotted or Fowler flaps?
This really is my 'short' list of issues I need to contend with.
I project plans building or purchase of the basic fuselage & wing component kit at most.
Edit - Usage/application is bush/float plane flying.
Passenger needs: 2-3 adults to for my entire family. We have only one child and it is unlikely our family will grow.
Cargo/payload: No need for moose or Harley's, this is why the 4-place is not a genuine need. I am concerned about luggage, etc. if all three of us are in the Companion. This seems to be an issue of where luggage would be stored in that no cargo area behind the rear seat area. I'm 6' & 158, my wife is 5'2" & 107, and our son is currently 5'8" & 130. Obviously, it is difficult to determine how often all three of us will be in the aircraft at one time. Our son is a teenager and should be headed to college in 2-3 years so it is possible I might not have the aircraft built by the time he relocates. On a good note, he loves the Patrol! Time and patience!
Takeoff/Landing attitude: Big concern! Why? My wife's petite stature. The long snout of the 4-place will not be good for her. I suspect landing will be more challenging than takeoff as one can learn to see around the cowl during takeoff but this will be a challenge for her regardless. Despite this factor, I am much more concerned regarding the landing attitude of the aircraft. I have learned in the Bearhawk Forums that a machining/Cub kit manufacturer in Wisconsin (?) analyzed the Bearhawk wing and found it strong enough for the Keller/PSTOL flaps but this is big bucks. What about altering the design for slotted or Fowler flaps?
This really is my 'short' list of issues I need to contend with.
I project plans building or purchase of the basic fuselage & wing component kit at most.
Edit - Usage/application is bush/float plane flying.
), and keeps the CG mid to slightly forward. As a 2-place I have plenty of performance, luggage capacity, and it's much easier on the airframe. The latter is the main consideration as the airframes are subject to a lot of stress on the rougher surfaces.
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