Hopeful Alberta wannabe.

[Pbruce]

Flew the bush on floats, skis, and wheels in my past. Taught two of my sons to fly on our RV9A last year, doing their commercial licences on it now. They and I have an interest in bush planes. Looked at kitfoxes, superstol, etc, but too toylike, not enough payload for camping for us. Love the idea of a Bearhawk Patrol. Bought the RV ( never built a plane) so its a big step, but we are warming up to it. Very cool to see so many Canadian builders. One 30 miles up the road from me! A community of builders could be a game-changer.

[TimTall]

Go for it! I’m just getting started but this community seems pretty awesome so far.

An RV seems like a pretty fun plane too!

[Pbruce]

Yes the RV is cool; 10,000 builds tell the story. The RV 9A is under-rated in comparison to the others, by the way, because it’s non-acro. In my mind, it’s the sweetest handling snappiest performer on modest power of the whole bunch. But it won’t do what a stock supercub will. The BH patrol looks like it will though, AND is acceptably fast, (10-15 mph off the RV9A) with far greater range on top, along with more room, great payload etc, etc. That makes for a very potent combination, and it just might be the ONLY game in town under 150K for someone who wants to leverage all of its qualities.

I have learned through a long flying career that the way a plane performs in the hands of a pilot vs the spec sheet can be markedly different and the difference between the thoroughbreds and the nags is often in the intangibles like predictable handling, extra performance margin, durability and reliability. A Norseman and an otter look similar, use the same engine, and served the same market, but to a pilot, the edge goes to the otter every time. So I need to fly a Patrol, before I buy. I have talked to Mike at BH Canada (what a personable gentleman). I hope to meet him soon in person and have a close look at the planes and then see if I can snivel a ride out of him. I have a very good feeling about this and I am eager to read of all of your endeavours as you build and fly. Please keep the reports coming.

[TimTall]

I haven’t flown a bearhawk yet either. I guess I’m taking a chance that I won’t like it but I haven’t been able to find a negative review of it yet. I’m hoping it feels like a big version of my Murphy.

Ive just started building but I’m impressed with the kit so far. Everything looks really well though out and the build quality is excellent. I’m going to try to document the build. Check out BC Bearhawk on YouTube

[Peter Bishton]

Pbruce
there is an article on a South African patrol ( beautiful aircraft ) that pulls away from a slick Italian factory built aircaft
be worth a read
regards peter b

[Peter Bishton]

Sorry fat fingers
That should read - slick Italian factory built aircraft...

[Peter Bishton]

Found the post here is my attempt to insert the link....

https://bearhawkforums.com/forum/bearhawk-patrol-quickbuild/23137-patrol-wins-prize-in-south-africa-and-surprises-with-its-speed

[Steve W]

Peter, where are you in Alberta? I PM'd you.

Steve P203

[Steve W]

Sorry, that message was for pbruce

[Pbruce]

I’m in Airdrie, Alberta.
Pbruce. (Pat)

[Pbruce]

Im thinking about taking one of those weekend vans RV building courses where you build something like an aileron, to get a feel for sheet metal work and tools. Then start with the QB wing kit, and then take it from there. The QB fuselage seems more “bolt on” than fabricate, so I’m hoping when I get there the path ahead will unfold when it needs to. Any other suggestions on how to tackle this project are greatly appreciated. If anyone is nearby, I would love to come take a look. We could go flying in my RV 9 and swap lies.

[Pbruce]

[QUOTE=Peter Bishton;n46501]Pbruce
there is an article on a South African patrol ( beautiful aircraft ) that pulls away from a slick Italian factory built aircaft
be worth a read
regards peter b [/QUOTE

Thats pretty amazing. That’s only 5-8 mph slower than my RV9A, which does 170mph flat out with 160hp fixed pitch. I would put big wheels on my Patrol and that is certainly going to cost, but it should still be fast enough to cover ground, even in a headwind, which most other big wheel bush planes can’t do very effectively.

[Pbruce]

I haven’t flown a bearhawk yet either. I guess I’m taking a chance that I won’t like it but I haven’t been able to find a negative review of it yet. I’m hoping it feels like a big version of my Murphy.

Ive just started building but I’m impressed with the kit so far. Everything looks really well though out and the build quality is excellent. I’m going to try to document the build. Check out BC Bearhawk on YouTube

Great site. Thanks. That’s my kind of flying. You guys are doing some cool flying. I’m ad to hear another testimonial for the high quality of the kits. You’ve done this before with your Murphy, but I would be glad for any advice to a newb.

[Steve W]

I’m just north of Edmonton south of Morinville. Would be done but dealing with a hangar build which should be simple but is more like being tone deaf trying to tune a piano. You mush know Ralph Inkster
Steve
780-566-8275

[Pbruce]

Sure do. He does the major maintenance ofn my RV9A. I felt the need since I didn’t build it and my kids are flying it. I like the beaver picture. I flew this one for a season in 1884, in central/northern British Columbia

[Steve W]

Been to Osh a couple times and Ralph was with the group. Ken Beanlands and I have travelled to Osh three times and met Ralph through him. Good stand up guy. I flew the Beaver in the picture several years in Northern Manitoba. C-GPVC. A guy came in the next year with 8k hours and wrote it off in a week. Have been flying Beavers/Otters the last 10 years seasonally sense I retired cause that’s where the fun is. Going back on an Otter this summer and my back is already sore. Wish my butt was a bit closer to the ground.

[Chewie]

Another "casually epic" thread! I love reading about your stories, as if you were just talking about mowing the lawn. Please keep it up.
Pat, welcome to the group.