Bearhawk LSA

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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 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]

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]