Bearhawk LSA
| LSA | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Amateur-built Light-sport aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Bearhawk Aircraft |
| Designer | Bob Barrows |
| Introduction | 2012 |
| Status | Plans available (2012), Kit available (2013) |
The Bearhawk LSA is an American experimental amateur-built aircraft, designed by Bob Barrows. The aircraft is scratch-built from plans or from a kit sold by Bearhawk Aircraft of Fairview, OK.[1][2][3][4]
The aircraft was introduced to the public at AirVenture 2012.[1]
Design and development
[edit]The Bearhawk LSA is a "clean sheet design" inspired by the larger Bearhawk Patrol. The LSA features a strut-braced high-wing, a tandem enclosed cockpit accessed by a single right-side door, fixed conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration. The cockpit is 31 in (79 cm) wide.[1][4] In 2015 a quick-build kit was introduced at the U.S Sport Aviation Expo.[5]
The aircraft fuselage is fabricated from welded 4130 steel tubing covered in heat-shrunk aircraft fabric. The aluminum structure wing, covered in flush riveted aluminum sheet, employs a Harry Riblett-designed GA30-613.5 airfoil and does not have flaps. The wing is supported by a single strut per side. Recommended engines include the 65 hp (48 kW) Continental A-65, 75 hp (56 kW) Continental A-75 and the 100–110 hp (75–82 kW) Continental O-200 four-stroke power plants.[1][4][6][7] However, many other engine options are available including Lycoming, Corvair, ULPower, and Rotax with many exceeding 110 hp.
The aircraft was designed for a maximum gross weight of 1,500 lb (680 kg) in the utility category, but is limited to 1,320 lb (600 kg) in the US light-sport aircraft category.[4]
Operational history
[edit]As of April 2025, 21 completed airplanes of this model were registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[8] Many more are currently being built around the globe as seen on the Bearhawk Forums map.[9]
Specifications (LSA)
[edit]Data from Kitplanes and Bob Barrows[1][6]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 22 ft 3 in (6.78 m)
- Wingspan: 34 ft (10 m)
- Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) in three-point
- Wing area: 170 sq ft (16 m2)
- Airfoil: Custom Harry Riblett airfoil (GA30-613.5)
- Empty weight: 720 lb (327 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,500 lb (680 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 30 U.S. gallons (110 L; 25 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental A-75 four cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 75 hp (56 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed aluminium
Performance
- Cruise speed: 125 mph (201 km/h, 109 kn)
- Stall speed: 30 mph (48 km/h, 26 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 140 mph (230 km/h, 120 kn)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Bernard, Mary and Suzanne B. Bopp: Bearhawk Aircraft: Bearhawk LSA, Kitplanes, Volume 29, Number 12, December 2012, pp. 23-24. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
- ^ Bearhawk Aircraft (2012). "The Bearhawk LSA". Retrieved 20 November 2012.
- ^ Bearhawk Aircraft (15 December 2014). "Bearhawk LSA". Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
- ^ a b c d Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 102. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ "Briefly Noted". Sport Aviation: 15. March 2015.
- ^ a b Barrows, Bob (2012). "Specifications". Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (20 November 2012). "Registration Inquiry Results-N289EH". Retrieved 20 November 2012.
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (26 February 2016). "Make/Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 26 February 2016.
- ^ "Bearhawk Builder Map". Bearhawk Forums. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
External links
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