Looking into 4-place bearhawks

[AKPhil]

A&P/IA in Alaska. Former RV-6A builder. Looking into the 4 place. Not sure if I'm ready to pull the pin yet. I'm intrigued by the design and possibilities, but concerned about the purchase process and commitment. I've had a project in the garage for years before. I'm a bit gun-shy. I've found that once I have a flying plane...build progress slows considerably. I'm also a bit gun-shy over the factory pickup point being 4,300 miles away. I've inspected a lot of experimental aircraft (mostly RV series) over the years and have found build quality all over the map. So I'm unsure about purchasing a partially built kit or a flying aircraft. So mostly....I'm lurking. I'm serious, but still investigating which way to go. Thanks for letting me lurk... Since posts are best with pictures, here's a pic from some time ago flying my daughter to the Tillamook air museum in Oregon.

[BravoGolf]

I'll jump in here before the really experienced builders. I am an A&P and build an RV-7. I purchased a partially completed set of scratch built wings. I thought long and hard about it and inspected them before hand. Once I had them I had two A&P friends go over the completed work. The guy did first rate work, but then he was an A&P/IA as well. Maybe my experience is the exception but you certainly have the experience to be a judge of the workmanship of any partially completed kit.

I enjoy the building process and don't feel the "need" to get done with the project because I have a flying aircraft. It changes your perspective and if it sits for a week that is okay.

[AKPhil]

Thanks BravoGolf. The right kit in the right location...for the right price, I'll jump for sure. Documentation and photos do a lot to ease the worry, and if flying, some hours. I've declined to make offers on several projects locally that were not bearhawks.

[zkelley2]

Phil where are you at in Alaska? There's a few builders and a handful flying.

Like you said, quality is all over the place though.

I recently trailered a quickbuild kit up that had a good amount of work done on it after looking for about 8-9 months.

[AKPhil]

Phil where are you at in Alaska? There's a few builders and a handful flying.

Like you said, quality is all over the place though.

I recently trailed a quickbuild kit up that had a good amount of work done on it after looking for about 8-9 months.

I'm in Kenai