Aspiring Bearhawk owner (now kit builder)

NDflyer

NDflyer

Member
Hi,

I am a 110 hour pilot based in North Dakota. Most time in a variety of 172’s and a tail wheel endorsement in a Citabria.

I am looking to own my first aircraft and have narrowed it down to a Bearhawk 4 place or Companion to fit my use case and budget. I would love to build one, but I would rather fly and I don’t have the time or money for both.

In the meantime I am going to get more tail wheel time and training as I am certainly not proficient with a tail wheel. That being said, what are some opinions about getting specific training in the 4 place? It looks like it would only be about $75 more than what I am paying for dual in the Citabria. It would also be nice to get some actual time in a Bearhawk. Maybe solidify my decision about buying one or not.

So if anyone has any suggestions or general advice I am all ears. Or if you know of anyone selling a 4 place keep me in mind.
 
http://bearhawktraining.com/

Training is invaluable and you will likely need time/transition training for insurance purposes anyway.

If you are unsure as to whether a Bearhawk is the right aircraft for you, it might be less effort/expense to find someone with a flying airplane willing to give you a demo flight. I don't see anything close to you on the builder map but you never know.

I suggest talking to Jared if you haven't already.
 
Hi, I offer Bearhawk transition training in central North Carolina. I am not able to offer commercial demo rides to prospective buyers- that falls under a separate insurance and regulatory bucket. We have a list of prerequisites for transition training, and owning a Bearhawk is not one, but the intent is to help improve safety of the fleet for folks who are about to test fly, not to sell planes. Most folks who come to town for transition training fly around 3 hours, which usually includes about 25 landings. We try to do this right before they go home to fly their airplane for the first time. Lots of times I do short non-commercial flights with folks who would like to experience the Bearhawk, just as Eric Newton did for me before I started building. These are not training flights and not demo flights, just one pilot flying with another. Hopefully one of them will offer me a ride in their plane one day too. Let me know if I can help!
 
gregc said:
Training is invaluable and you will likely need time/transition training for insurance purposes anyway.

If you are unsure as to whether a Bearhawk is the right aircraft for you, it might be less effort/expense to find someone with a flying airplane willing to give you a demo flight. I don't see anything close to you on the builder map but you never know.

I suggest talking to Jared if you haven't already.
Click to expand...

I will talk to Jared, thanks. If I am going to spend money to train anyway, I would rather spend a little more and get closer to my goal.
 
jaredyates said:
Hi, I offer Bearhawk transition training in central North Carolina. I am not able to offer commercial demo rides to prospective buyers- that falls under a separate insurance and regulatory bucket. We have a list of prerequisites for transition training, and owning a Bearhawk is not one, but the intent is to help improve safety of the fleet for folks who are about to test fly, not to sell planes. Most folks who come to town for transition training fly around 3 hours, which usually includes about 25 landings. We try to do this right before they go home to fly their airplane for the first time. Lots of times I do short non-commercial flights with folks who would like to experience the Bearhawk, just as Eric Newton did for me before I started building. These are not training flights and not demo flights, just one pilot flying with another. Hopefully one of them will offer me a ride in their plane one day too. Let me know if I can help!
Click to expand...

You guys are quick to respond! I had just sent you an email Jared.
 
huntaero said:
Hello NDflyer Im in Garson Manitoba and would take you for a ride in my 4 Place probably only couple hour drive north, where do you live in ND.
Click to expand...

I am in Beulah ND. Garson is about 8 hours from me, but that is not out of the question. I might have to make a road trip.
 
Well, an opportunity came up and I went for it. I purchased #19 Companion kit 2nd hand from Daniel in Oklahoma. I just need to go pick it up in September. Also going to stop by the Bearhawk facility to pick up a couple parts. As I dive into the building process information I realize that I really wanted to just build anyway. So much to learn and many decisions to make with a what looks like a great community to help me along the way. I have already talked to Virgil and a couple others here. Very helpful and generous with their time.

I have gathered a bunch of books and am reading through the build guide to start with. Before I get started on the plane I am going to build a rotisserie and a gantry crane. While not necessary, it seems like they would be very handy for the entire process.

I am beyond excited for this project and to be part of this community!
 
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