New Member in Chicago Area

[raymoeller]

Hello everyone! New member living in the suburbs of Chicago, and am currently moving into the covering and paint stage of a Steen Skybolt project that I've been working on for about 5 1/2 years. The Skybolt was a 20 year dream before I started it, and once it's finished, it will be my hot rod that has a thirst for fuel (IO-540). But I have 2 kids that are 9 and 10 right now, so I still have to go to the club Skyhawk if I want to take them both up for a ride with me. I originally bought the Wag Aero Sportsman 2+2 plans, thinking it would fill the bill, and be something I own myself.. but after flying around a bit with a buddy in his 140, I got a little tired of rubbing shoulders all the time. I like the larger interior of the Bearhawkk 4 place, and the ability to hang a 540 on it at sometime in the future, should I decide. So.. I have a 160hp IO-320 sitting in a crate, and I have the Bearhawk plans.. not the B version, but that's ok as I have heard nothing but good things about the way the original Bearhawk flies. I think the 320 will be the engine it'll end up with because I like the idea of only burning 8-9 gallons hour just taking a ride for fun. And about the time my kids are ready to learn to fly.. should they decide to pursue it, the Bearhawk should be done. Looking forward to learning a lot from you guys that have been through the building process already!

Ray

[jaredyates]

marcusofcotton is working on a build around the 320, he might have some insight. If you haven't started yet, I think it's worth whatever Bob would charge you to update the plans to the B model before you do. The B modifications of the wing and tail are drag reducing, which means they'll save you money when you start burning fuel, and thereafter for the rest of the life of the airplane. It's probably not worth abandoning parts that are already made, but it's certainly worth starting with the latest.

[tailwind]

I have to agree on this one. Start with the new plans. The plans are a small expense in the cost of the project. If you keep pace with the development of the design you may be able to incorporate future changes into your plane that have even greater improvements to an already good design.

[raymoeller]

Thanks... I appreciate the advice! I fired an email inquiry off to Bob to see if it's a matter of some supplemental plans and what the costs would be. It'll still be several months before I get anything started on a second project. I have lots of finish work on the first project yet.

[marcusofcotton]

Welcome Ray! Bob told me to be careful regarding cg. I've got an O320 160hp conical mount, Catto 78x54, and planning no alternator, unsure about starter yet. I'm being very mindful about weight, especially aft weight. We'll see if I might need to lengthen engine mount, trying to avoid it.

Probably will be the slowest Bearhawk, prioritizing for economy and short field performance. I recall my early flying of a couple 172s, wet rental but still consistently 6-7 gph.

Mark J
NE Minnesota

[raymoeller]

Hi Mark.. And thanks! I will most definitely keep the aft weight in mind. I haven't had the chance to do enough reading to discover how far along you are with your project yet, but I'll be looking forward to seeing it!

[raymoeller]

Well... I reached out thru Bob's website and inquired about any supplemental plans that would allow incorporation of the "B" upgrades. The response ( I believe from Bob's daughter ) was basically the "B" plans are for sale on the site and are all full sets, like the original, patrol, etc.. So I am assuming that means "no", there are no mod plans available and I'd have to purchase a complete new set. I can't see myself doing that.. so original version it'll probably be!

[JimParker256]

By the time you finish building a Bearhawk, the price of the plans is a "rounding error" in your airplane's cost. Spend the money and buy the "B" plans. You will never regret doing that, but you just might regret NOT doing it...

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Hehe... rounding error...

[tailwind]

Okay I will step in and add that there is some modest improvement with the b model. If someone offered me what I had in mine I probably would build the new quick build b model. But that's me. They are both great aircraft. I don't think you will be disappointed. I understand why bob would want to sell the plans at full price. The changes don't amount to a couple extra supplemental sheets. The one thing that I see as a benefit to the new design is that the spar is deeper because of the new airfoil. That new deeper spar might be worth serious consideration. Don't get my statements wrong. There is nothing wrong with the older model. It's just that the new one is better. The Bearhawk is everything I was told it would be and more.