The Bearhawk LSA is an American amateur-built light-sport aircraft, designed by Bob Barrows and produced by Bearhawk Aircraft of Austin, Texas. The aircraft is supplied in the form of plans or a kit for amateur construction.[1][2][3][4]

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 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 Barrows Bearhawk. The LSA features a strut-braced high-wing, a tandem enclosed cockpit accessed by doors, 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 doped aircraft fabric. The aluminum structure wing, covered in flush riveted aluminum sheet, employs a new Harry Riblett-designed airfoil and does not have flaps. The wing is supported by a single strut per side. The engine power range is 65 to 100 hp (48 to 75 kW) and the recommended engines include the 65 hp (48 kW) Continental A-65, 75 hp (56 kW) Continental A-75 and the 100 hp (75 kW) Continental O-200 four-stroke powerplants.[1][4][6][7]

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 February 2016, four examples were registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[8]

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
  • Empty weight: 720 lb (327 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,320 lb (599 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

  1. ^ 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
  2. ^ Bearhawk Aircraft (2012). "The Bearhawk LSA". Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  3. ^ Bearhawk Aircraft (15 December 2014). "Bearhawk LSA". Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  4. ^ 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
  5. ^ "Briefly Noted". Sport Aviation: 15. March 2015.
  6. ^ a b Barrows, Bob (2012). "Specifications". Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  7. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (20 November 2012). "Registration Inquiry Results-N289EH". Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  8. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (26 February 2016). "Make/Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 26 February 2016.

External links edit