United Kingdom Interested in 4 seater

[wbliss]

Hello All
I have been looking for a 4 seat high wing tailwheel aircraft to operate on a Light Aviation Association Permit to Fly. The closest aircraft model I have experience of is a Cessna 170B in which my fiancee and I toured New Zealand with tent etc. Now I fly from a 450m strip in Northumberland -England. It is often very muddy.
I understand that the Bearhawk is not yet approved in the UK. Some structural information is outstanding. However, there is a builder working on one from plans - Paul Dennington.
Paul - I would be grateful if you could get in touch.
Does anyone have comparative experience of the C170B and the 4 Seat Bearhawk?
William

[tailwind]

The Bearhawk will get off faster than a continental powered 170. Cruise speeds and climb performance are better. I find that my glide is not as good as my 170 was. Load carrying is much better with the Bearhawk. The added right side rear door makes it easier to load and unload baggage. More fuel capacity than a 170.
I have larger tires on my Bearhawk (850s) than I had on the 170. Visibility on the ground is not as good as the 170. On the 170 the nose slopes down making the runway in front of you much more visible.
The gear on the Bearhawk does not bounce you back into the air like the spring gear on a 170 in a less than perfect landing.
FWIW I feel that a tube and fabric plane is a more rugged construction method than the aluminum 170 for off airport operation.
The Bearhawk is a new plane vs an old 170. Both are great planes but the Bearhawk is a very good compromise.
The biggest plus for me in this country is that I can do all of my own maintenance. I don't have to deal with all of the federal structure required with a certified Cessna 170.

[JimParker256]

Add the ability to use non-certified EFIS/EMS systems in the Bearhawk, saving both money and weight over comparable steam gauges, while having dramatically better instrumentation, moving maps, extremely inexpensive auto-pilot options, etc. Thus far, neither FAA nor EASA have seen fit to allow Dynon / GRT / AFS / (insert other brands here) experimental-type EFIS systems to be retrofitted to C-170s or other certified aircraft.

[Battson]

Does anyone have comparative experience of the C170B and the 4 Seat Bearhawk?
William

Having flown beside a C170 in my Bearhawk (6 cylinder Bearhawk), I would say it's like comparing chalk and cheese.

If you are talking about the 4 cylinder, which is a fairer comparison, I am not well placed to comment.

[tailwind]

You are not comparing apples to apples as you would have over 100hp more than the 170. This points up another advantage of the Bearhawk. The structure of our design is designed to handle a lot more power. Along with added power come some benefits along with other compromises.

[Battson]

>100 hp extra - yes, it's a good thing!!