Recent content by DesertBearhawk

Fellow Bearhawkers.... My project has been sold and it’s off to its new owners. It’s a bittersweet reality but in the end it’s for the best. I’ve had a great time learning and contributing to the group. I wish everyone the greatest success on their projects and May everyone see the...

I was asked by a fellow builder on how I do nutplates. I made a video some time ago but Im posting the link here, maybe it will help someone along. Cheers!

What is everyone using for fuel tubing? I see options of 5052 and 3003-O. What have you used, and why?

Gang, the challenge has been thrown down, fly Desert Bearhawk to Osh 2020. A little less than two years to complete. Got to get with it! So, in planning ahead I'm thinking about avionics/instruments. 91.205 gives the required instruments for Day VFR (91.205b) and Night VFR (91.205c). What is...

Bearhawkers, looking for group input. I recently (like two days ago) completed my second wing (left side) and now I need to move it out of the fixture and hinge the flight controls. Once thats completed ill need to get it out of my shop for two reasons, Im moving and I need to make room for the...

1400 days in and both wings are completed to the point of final fit-out. Whew!

As I near the completion of my left wing ( right is completed) I was faced with the task of fitting the pitot probe. I've been thinking about this for most of the time I've been building the wing and I've always felt that installing it into a removable panel was the way to go. I decided that the...

Guys, I've been in limbo for two solid weeks on my right wing. I am completely done with it with the exception of riveting on the trailing edge. The rivets I need, part number CCC-32, are on endless back order at spruce and I can't find them anywhere else! Does anyone have a source for...

Guys, Got my first aileron balance tube finished up and in place. It weighs in just over 5 pounds. My question is this, should the aileron be so balanced that it stays wherever you put it? If I set mine to neutral is will drop TE down. If I put it to fill up deflection it will stay there too...

Guys, has anyone operated their machine south of the border (Mexico)? I'm being told no experimental aircraft are allowed in Mexican airspace. What's your experience?

Guys, Working on getting my flight controls (flaps) hinged up. I am concerned about getting the hing line perfect. Because there are 3 hinges if they are not lined up perfect you will get a bind. I've located my steel as best I could but they are not 100% perfectly lined up. My question is how...

Guys, got my right wing out of the fixture and on the table for hinging. I'm just starting to eyeball things and I noticed the the rod ends do not seem to sit deep enough in the hinge fixtures to get them above the bottom skin. I think this is going to be a problem. See this picture and comment...

Guys, I'm following the build manuals...in the tank install section you can clearly see in the pictures that the recess for the #6 screw has been machine countersunk (the tank bay frame not the cover) and NOT dimpled. How was this accomplished? I believe the material in that area is too thin to...

Got the right wing tank installed today. Lots of talk of late about locating the hole in the skin for the filler neck...needless to say I was watching and reading everything on this subject as my turn in the barrel was coming soon. Thanks to fellow Bearhawker, John Snapp, the solution was easy...

Time to start thinking about wing tips. Who has made them, how did you do it, what design did you use, do they sit flush with the skin or overlap, did you install a landing light in the tip, and if you had to do it again would you just buy them if available?