Interested in Building a 4-place *Wisconsin*

[mclark38]

Hi All,

I am currently going to A&P school in Oshkosh. A neighbor from my hometown completed his a few years ago and although I've never gotten a chance to fly in it yet I absolutely love the idea of it. I am planning on doing a QuickBuild Kit and possibly installing a Garmin G3X if it is possible. Just wondering what a decent budget would be from start to completion? From just shopping around for parts I came up with $75k but that was just a shot in the dark

Mike

[Mark Goldberg]

Hi Mike. You have chosen a great plane to get interested in. If you complete and fly your BH, you will be very happy with your plane. No problem putting in a G3X.

You are in the right ballpark with the $75,000 the bottom end of what you would spend when building from our Quick Build kit. I usually tell people $75, 000 - $95,000. Lots of options on what to do. I am happy to talk with you about all this. Good luck. Mark

[mclark38]

I've heard of a lot of people using a Bob O-360 like my neighbor did. Is this one of the better options or would a O-540 be a better route? I would like to have something I could take in the mountains and feel safe with. As for the G3X, is the panel large enough for the 2 screen set-up? I've been trying to find some panel dimensions but haven't had any luck.. Thanks, Mike

[Mark Goldberg]

Plenty room in the panel for 2 G3X's.

I think Ray's BH is fixed pitch if I remember correctly. C/S prop is a big help in performance if you go to higher altitudes. Mark

[jaredyates]

i would recommend flying with Ray before you make an engine choice. His should represent a good example of what the 360 can do. My observation has been that weight is the most important performance variable. If you are wanting to operate in high backcountry at max gross, then you'll probably want to look more seriously at the 540. For example, my 350 takeoff roll at low elevations is about 500 feet in most operational circumstances, but at max gross it is more around 800.

[tailwind]

There would be room for 2, G3X panels. You will not have the radios centered if you put both screens on the left side. I would install one on the left with the radios centered and put the other on the right side of the radios and intercom. You could offset everything off to the left so that you have better readability of your second screen or with the new radios and screen you could put the two screens together and control the radios through the screens. The only radio I have on the panel is my com. The xponder is remote mounted and set through the Garmin screen. I hope to fly this summer and if so will be in and out of Oshkosh often. I have the O 360 with a constant speed prop. We will see how I like it.

[mclark38]

I'm thinking I'm probably going to go with the O-360 just because of the fuel burn. From what I've heard From Ray it's still enough power to get out of short strips. If I was going to be constantly in the mountains or back country I would go with a O-540. But since it will mainly be a weekend flyer it's not feasible for me. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

[Battson]

With the IO-540 (and magnetos) I flight plan on 35L/hr running LOP, I can go as low as 30L/hr. 115kts TAS. You could probably make that even better with electronic ignition. The increased cost of purchase and maintenance also comes into the equation.

[Zzz]

I've long debated the 360 vs 540 question myself, even considering the IO-390 as a middle ground. I've resolved to go with the 540, and here are the pros and cons of that decisions, for my case:

Cons:
Greater fuel burn at high power settings
Heavier, adds to empty weight of aircraft
Higher initial buy-in and maintenance costs

Pros:
Better takeoff performance at all weights -- I want Super Cub takeoffs when I'm solo.
Greater range of tuneable operation, e.g. ultra econo mode is on par with a 360
A little extra weight on the nose is a good thing for the Bearhawk 4-place design

I would rather have excess power available and be able to pull it back, than find myself wanting more when it's wide open. This is extremely important for the high density altitude of mountain ops, and out here in the west all the best places are in the mountains.

And to muddy the waters even more, I think the engine gets too much attention. Don't underestimate a good CS prop.

[Battson]

Z wrote:

I would rather have excess power available and be able to pull it back, than find myself wanting more when it's wide open. This is extremely important for the high density altitude of mountain ops, and out here in the west all the best places are in the mountains.

Got myself into an interesting situation the other week; along the lines of your comment. It was a learning experience for me (maybe I should have posted into your close calls thread?)

It was the orographic illusion, losing reference to the horizon in terrain. I'd flown an approach into a tight hanging valley which I'd flown over a lot, but never been up it because it's very small. There used to be an airstrip in there, and I wanted to experience the approach. I am cautious with that kind of thing in a 172, but I got caught off-guard this time. The extra power gives you undue confidence. The valley was steeper than I expected and I was low and slow on approach. Long story short, after overflying the airstrip I needed WOT to out-climb the terrain, first time it's happened in the BH. I was able to make a turn if I needed to, but I like to give myself extra room. I assume the airstrip was a strictly one-way affair for the 90hp Cub pilots who used to use it.

[rstaton]

I had io540,,,,,was nice and heavy,,,,but nice.i am so use to pa 18s and such I now am flying my bh with io390.i love it.take off good with light mt prop,and angle valve 390 has plenty of cooling fins for these slower planes.we have done many customers hot rod experimental cubs with hopped up 360s,,,200hp+ only to have cooling problems....low and slow.running dual coolers ...same prob amercan chmp had on denali scout.dont get me wrong ,,it wont climp with 310 hp 540,,,but to the untrained eye...it does good.