NorCal future builder plans #1370

[corefile]

So I got my Bearhawk plans serial #1370 in the mail today! Going to go the QB route, will probably order the wings in Oct/Nov. Meanwhile reading and learning all I can, need to get the garage converted to a aircraft manufacturing plant. Any other builders/completed bearhawks in the Bay Area of California? Looking at the builder maps it looks like everyone is down in Southern California.

[NorCalScott]

I'm located in San Jose. Where are you? I was also unable to find anyone reasonably close with a flying airplane or even an active project. So I actually burned some frequent flyer miles and took my wife out to Texas this last week to get a demo ride from Wayne Massey in Mark Goldberg's Patrol, go to the Texas STOL Roundup, and join the Bearhawk gathering outside Austin. I'm sure no one had a better spring break than I did. I ordered the Patrol QB kit while there so am now scrambling a bit to also get my garage ready.

Since you mentioned just ordering the wings, if you are planning to order the fuselage at a later date I would recommend you contact Mark Goldberg and make sure you get a rundown on shipping costs. It's costing about 10% of the kit value to crate and ship the Patrol. That's primarily mileage cost. I wasn't interested in shipping the wings and fuselage separately so didn't ask how the cost would change, but unless you have cash to burn you should get the numbers before making a final decision just so you know how much extra buying separately is going to be. Of course if you're scratch building the fuselage none of this matters.

[corefile]

Hi Scott - Sounds like we may have a Bearhawk hot bed here in San Jose I'm located here in San Jose as well. It sounds like you had a amazing spring break! Thanks for that info regarding the additional shipping cost, I will be going the QB route as well, so I'll need to check with Mark regarding shipping cost if I buy the Wing and Fuselage at separate times. So it goes with out saying that I'd love to come check out your project once it arrives. Did you join one of the two EAA chapters over at Reid-Hillview?

[NorCalScott]

I've been a member of EAA 338 for a couple of years now. My understanding is that chapter 62 became more of a pilot social club and there were people that wanted to focus primarily on homebuilding so started 338. My choice was more pragmatic than that. I generally have a conflict with the 62 meeting time so joined 338. A member of 62 won a Gold Lindy for his fast glass (can't remember which one) in the last few years so they obviously haven't bailed on homebuilding. So I think either chapter would be fine. I would have checked them both out if my schedule had allowed. The tech advisor in our group built a Lancair but actually has a Bearhawk kit that he acquired from someone else. Not sure when he'll get around to doing something with it. I think it was a deal that was too good to pass up.