Bearhawk in the backcountry

[rodsmith]

Beautiful country! I am continually amazed at how much NZ looks like Alaska where I lived for 21 years. I definitely need to visit sometime. I had a Maule M5 most of that time and used it much as you use the Bearhawk, lots of great memories.

[Battson]

More flying pics from the weekend.

Interesting story here, one way airstrip about 250m (roughly 900ft) long, slightly uphill. We landed and took a walk around the local area, and when we returned a 15 knot tailwind had picked up for our take-off. Normally the Bearhawk is airborne by the halfway mark, but with the 15 kts on the tail it needed more like 75% of the available length. We decided it was safe enough, as the end of the airstrip is like a ramp, so it would be like flying off the end of an aircraft carrier.

IMG_20180910_222241.jpg


IMG_20180909_143936.jpg

[JimParker256]

Man, I love your pictures... So jealous of the beautiful country you get to fly in... I love Texas, but it's pretty flat and boring around my part...

[Battson]

A couple of photos from a recent overnight mission into a local spot. Good times. This was another successful hunting trip.
IMG_20180822_074109.jpg


IMG_20180822_074212.jpg

[Nev]

Sent you a PM.

[Battson]

I looked at a couple of sections there a few years ago, really nice place. Unfortunately back then the timing wasnt right for us. I still think it’s one of the best spots around. You’d probably know Paul Stewart - perhaps one of your neighbors.

Yes, we are next to Paul. There is still one section left for sale now, unlisted though.

[Nev]

I looked at a couple of sections there a few years ago, really nice place. Unfortunately back then the timing wasnt right for us. I still think it’s one of the best spots around. You’d probably know Paul Stewart - perhaps one of your neighbors.

[Battson]

Awesome pics! Adventure all over. Is that last one at Fernside by chance?

Excellent guess! How did you know?

[Gerhard Rieger]

Awesome photos, thanks for sharing

[Nev]

Awesome pics! Adventure all over. Is that last one at Fernside by chance?

[svyolo]

I spent a month on a motorcycle going around NZ about 20 years ago. Since then I spent a couple of summers in AK. The whole time I was there, I just remember asking myself how you can ever leave places like that.
Nice pics.........

[Battson]

Here's some photos from a couple of weekend flights we've done, exploring some new parts of the local country:

On route:
IMG_20180818_100045.jpg


Gravel bar landing at a large local riverbed. This was a tight spot right beside some trees, we needed to backtrack and use full length to get off before the rougher rocks.
IMG_20180811_151324.jpg


Met up with a couple of friends unexpectedly, and they followed us to a new airstrip:
IMG_20180804_183954.jpg


Beautiful weather that afternoon, yet another spot. This airstrip is a one-way landing.
IMG_20180811_184922.jpg


Great day, here's the sunset back at the hangar.
IMG_20180811_170928.jpg

[Battson]

More updates:

Recent hunting trip into the Landsborough Valley:

On approach during the evening, making use of the whole day's light to get there in time.
IMG_20180629_160537.jpg


Tied down at the newly built hut for the night. This hut replaces a very old hut called the Fraser Hut, which was built by the previous generation of bush pilots.
IMG_20180629_162554.jpg


Departure for home the next day.
IMG_20180630_121734.jpg

Flying through the MacKenzie Country, after a quick stop at Pukaki Airfield for fuel.
IMG_20180630_125414.jpg


The old course of the Tekapo River.
IMG_20180630_125830.jpg

Great trip, three grown men on board with full winter gear and lots of firewood and coal for the hut (left behind for the next cold hiker who arrives). Glad to have the 4-place Bearhawk at every turn.

[Battson]

Jonathon
The hoerner wing tips look good
have they made any difference to
I) rate of climb
ii) lift off distance
iii) top end cruise speed ?
Regards peter

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the compliment - I really like the look too, I couldn't be happier with them overall.

Rate of climb and take-off distance have definitely improved markedly. I haven't been able to get a solid measurement yet, but the change is clear to see, I estimate it could be as much as 10% improvement. We have installed a larger prop at the same time as the Hoerner wingtips. I can't be sure how much performance change to attribute to the prop and how much to the wingtips.

Cruise speed has not changed measurably with the latest addition. Same with all the other additions.... However, from a new slick airplane to the bush machine you see today, we are about 5 knots slower. This is a combination of VGs, big tires, big tailwheel, longer wingtips, new wide-bladed and longer prop. I have since moved to the South Island of New Zealand, the equivalent of moving to Idaho.... so I am not cruising 500 NM to and from the Southern Alps any more, and I am quite happy with a slightly slower plane.

[Peter Bishton]

Jonathon
The hoerner wing tips look good
have they made any difference to
I) rate of climb
ii) lift off distance
iii) top end cruise speed ?
Regards peter