Bearhawk Aircraft Bearhawk Tailwheels LLC Eric Newton's Builder Manuals Bearhawk Plans Bearhawk Store

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Between dad and daughter

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Between dad and daughter

    Hello all. I am halfway between exploring and committing to completing a Bearhawk 4.

    My father has been an engineer/builder in the auto racing business since the early 1970s. He started a scratch build about 15 years ago - progressing slowly but steadily between race car jobs - until a few years ago he felt he was no longer mentally sharp enough to fly and the Bearhawk build stalled.

    I work in health care but I've always had some kind of building/making project going on - guitars, tube amplifiers, a kit car - so I have a smattering of skills but no true expertise in any one relevant area. I was interested in flying as a teenager, did ground school and passed the test, but was not supported by my mother or stepfather and by the time I had control of my own destiny I'd moved on to other things.

    Enter my teenage daughter, who has always been mechanically gifted and over the past few years has become increasingly interested in aviation mechanics and flying. Her current fascination is to become a missionary pilot which happily for her requires both flying and maintenance certifications.
    A much smaller project I know, but last year Taylor and I rehabbed a go-kart that had been sitting in the barn for 30+ years and I was impressed by her persistence and tolerance for disappointments/setbacks along the way. The broccoli-to-dessert ratio in that project was pretty steep for a teenager but she stuck with it and got it done.

    What we have now:
    Fuselage frame complete, needs to be blasted primed and painted after sitting in the barn for several years.
    A Lycoming engine that was getting close to rebuild hours 10+ years ago and has been sitting in the interim
    Wings and flaps - parts all built, cleco'd together - need to be dimpled prepped painted and riveted.
    Fuel tanks made beautifully by my father - his fabricating and welding are master-level - but I don't think they've been leak tested yet.

    In addition to my father's expertise, shop, and flying experience Taylor has a preposterous number of aviation-themed aunts and uncles including an air force pilot, an air ambulance helicopter pilot, a commercial pilot, an amateur pilot, and an aircraft maintenance instructor.

    Next steps:
    Taylor and I are going to an EAA sheet metal workshop in a couple weeks.
    We'll need to help dad rearrange his shop to make working space.
    Then I suppose finishing the wings will be first on the agenda.

    I'm sure I'll be back with 10,000 specific questions along the way but would appreciate any observations or feedback on the above.

  • #2
    Sounds like life is interesting and will become more so with this project. Good to have you here! Lots of 4 builders here, and enough 4A projects going to get detailed gouge on the tight spots.

    Comment


    • #3
      What a great father-daughter project. One of my disappointments was that my now grown daughters have no interest in aviation despite all the places we traveled in my plane when they were young. Still hope for my Grandsons though.

      Comment


      • #4
        Welcome to the forum! This sounds like a great project for your daughter, you, and your dad. Please share updates as it progresses and don't hesitate to ask any questions!
        Bill Duncan
        Troy, Idaho
        Bearhawk Five Scratchbuild - Plans #5053
        N53BD - reserved
        Builders-Log

        Comment


        • #5
          Welcome to the forum. A neat project for you both.
          Nev Bailey
          Christchurch, NZ

          BearhawkBlog.com - Safety & Maintenance Notes
          YouTube - Build and flying channel
          Builders Log - We build planes

          Comment


          • #6
            Welcome, lots of experienced people here that are always ready and willing to help.
            Good luck
            Gerry

            Comment


            • #7
              Welcome...and what a great grandfather/father/daughter project! 15 years...right on track. Slow and steady will win the race!

              Comment


              • #8
                Welcome, with 3 generations in it, it will be a great story to tell once it fly

                Comment

                Working...
                X