Bearhawk 4 Place QuickBuild Time ? What are our thoughts

[Denali]

So... I am very interested in the Bearhawk 4 place. I have spoken with Bob Barrows personally. I would be a first time builder, and the "Twelve years to taxi " syndrome has me a bit worried. If I end up with the quick build kit..2014 version... I am hoping build time will be <700 hours.

Am I being too optimistic ? Am I being too pessimistic ??

Any opinions ??

Is this the first post here ?? Or am I in the wrong forum area ?? My bad if I am...

[Mountain Eagle]

Hi Denali,
Yep, you're the first post in the Bearhawk thread. The Bearhawk is a great airplane. The time to build is going to depend on your skill level and what you are willing to accept in the quality of your work. Invariably, you will make mistakes when you first start out and you'll get much better in your sheet metal skills as you go. You'll find yourself re-making some of the very first parts later because it will bug you! That's just how it is, the pride in your work.
I think you're on the right track with the quick build. Much of the critical work is already done.
The build time is going to take longer than what Bearhawk lists. How much longer? Good question, but 50% longer isn't out of the possibility as you learn while building.
Good luck and keep us posted if you proceed!
David

[planecrazzzy]

If you are questioning NOW... I'd say "DON'T take the leap... you'll waste your money...

There are two parts to this ,

One Percent "Inspiration"

and 99 percent "Perspiration"

The Inspiration is the EASY part... and your having a hard time with THAT...

Plenty of people START projects and never finish them...

Usually... You get ABOUT half your money back...

Maybe you could save money and buy someones project ?

But that still doesn't mean you'll finish it...

We don't do this to "Meet Chicks"... Your in the garage , by yourself , for years...

Airplane on the Brain... Boring your wife and who ever else will LISTEN...

I don't mean to discourage you... But if your gonna start something like this...

You need to LOVE the aircraft you are building...

Otherwise... Your just in love with the "Idea" of building a plane...
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and I've met plenty of those types... Project, but no Progress...
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Gotta Fly...
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PS I like Bearhawk... But even I would be Challenged building it...

I'm not trying to push "Steve Wittman's Buttercup"... But it's easier to build...

Although... it's only 2 place... ( 3 if you work at it )
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[Mountain Eagle]

Buttercup? I thought it was a Buttwind?

David

[planecrazzzy]

Well, not officially yet... Until I apply for my Airworthiness Cert...it'll still be

considered "Buttercup"...

Yes , Hybrid - Buttercup / Tailwind , Buttwind !

More Buttercup than Tailwind...

Look , up in the Sky.... It's a Bird , it's a plane...

YES.... It's a BUTTWIND !!!!
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Her Name is "Miss Tickle Madness"

( Mystical Madness )

Can you just FEEL the Love...
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Gotta Fly...
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PS Have you checked out the new "Tool Topic"...?

I've added different tool modifications that should help other builders...

Got a Mod to add ??????????
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[planecrazzzy]

PS Denali
, If you "Do" start a project , and start posting here...

I'll delete this thread... I don't mean to discourage you...

Just picking up on the hesitation...
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Gotta Fly...
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[haribole]

Hello all

I am building a 4 place bearhawk from plans and guessing about 500 hours to finish.

don't have any experience in flying and learning to fly as well, so, can't provide any opinion / thoughts on performance or design

thanks
Hari

[Mountain Eagle]

Hi Hari,
Do you care to share some pictures of your project? It's always great to see the work being done and the progress too.
Thanks,
David