kestrel

Kestrel,
I'm a new member and browsing through passed conversations I came across this one. I bought a Bearhawk 4 plc. and hope to put it on skis this winter. I have a set of the DATUM 2500 skis I took off of my WAG AERO 2+2 that I hope to use. What size DATUM skis are yours??????? Is there any special fabrication that needs to be done??????? How well do your skis float your machine??????? I live in northern Michigan and our snow can be powder to very sticky depending on the temp and moisture. It look like your in the west and are in a dryer area than we are. But ski flying is the best way to enjoy winter that I know of.
Jim Lindner

Hello Kestrel,
I was doing some reading on the forum's archives lately, and I am intrigued by your electric flaps setup, as well as your extra fuel capacity.
For the flaps, I'm thinking it would make it more user and workload friendly, it would free up some floor space up front, and it would eliminate what I've read about the flap handle forces being pretty high for the last notch.
Could you please elaborate on your setup and how you like it. Is it just an up or down switch (like Comanches), or does it do preselected settings like the Cessnas?
How much extra empty weight do you think your flap motor and linkages weight, or do you think it's negligible? Since this is all overhead, do you think it lessens the headroom vs. if it were built per plans? And have they been trouble-free thus far for you?

For the fuel, it's just a matter of figuring out how to install the tanks, but I'm curious how much you thing they weigh vs. normal aux tanks, and do you get any extra gross weight because of the weight being out in the wings, like a few different airplanes benefit from?

Thanks for your time and information,

Zac Weidner

I'm in Cape Cod and live in Falmouth. I'm moving in about a month. Would love to come up and see your aircraft. I'm also 6'5'' and wouldn't mind confirming that I fit.