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The Unofficial Bearhawk FAQ

(frequently asked questions)

As originally put together by Del Rawlins and modified from there.

General Information

• About this FAQ - please read this section first.
• What is a Bearhawk?
• Why build a Bearhawk instead of another design?
• Bearhawk Specifications
• Where can I get Bearhawk plans?
• Is there a Bearhawk Newsletter?
• How many have been completed and flown?
• Where can I buy a kit?
• How long does it really take to build?
• How much does it cost?
• Information on posting to the Bearhawk Email List.
• How can I effectively search the Bearhawk email archives?
• Where are other Bearhawk Builders' websites?
• Where can I get a copy of the Bearhawk Reference CD?
• Can I build it?
• There are no measurements on the plans, how do I read these things?
• How can I get my completed Bearhawk professionally flight tested?
• Pictures of the Bearhawk Patrol 2 seat tandem aircraft.

Pilot Reports

• Bearhawk Prototype N6890R, as originally appeared in Sport Aviation magazine, by Budd Davisson.
• 260HP Bearhawk N33RB (AKA Proto II), also by Budd Davisson.
• Budd flies Pat Fagan's O-540 powered Bearhawk.
• A review of the Bearhawk, as featured in Northern Pilot magazine.
• Kitplanes article "Can't Beat the Bearhawk" in the February 2006 issue.

Reference Material

• Engineering notices: Eric Newton obtained permission from Bob Barrows to publish these on the web.
• Bear Tracks index, compiled by W.D. Shellenberger AKA "Shelly" of the Bearhawk list
• Bearhawk Pictures
• Bearhawk Steel List, created by Rod Smith of the Bearhawk list. Now an html file.
• Special thanks to Mark Conover who has created the online Bearhawk Plans Viewer, for when you need to refer to your plans, but don't have them handy.
• How to notch tubing, according to Budd Davisson.
• A few riveting tips and tricks.
• Besides the obvious answer of more ponies, how do we make this bird go faster?
• Where's the list of stuff that I still need to buy if I have a quick-build?
• What are most people using on Bearhawks for tires?
• Where can I find a drill guide for common drills used to build a Bearhawk?
• How about a handy tap and drill reference guide?
• A ton of other stuff that you will need when building your bird

Modifications/Options

• Can the Bearhawk be put on floats?
• What about baggage doors?
• Long range fuel tanks?
• Dean Cramb's composite fuel tank construction method.
• What if I changed the....AKA "design propogation nightmare"
• So you want to be an aircraft designer, by Russ Erb

Engines

• Aircraft Engines for the Bearhawk
• Lycoming vs. Continental
• Rebuilding Certified Engines for Experimental Use
• How much power do you really need?
• Is it even possible to have too much power?
• Still not enough? Then maybe you should look into the Vendenyev M-14P Russian radial engine.

Tips and Techniques for Wing Construction

• Forming Blocks
• Should I subtract the thickness of the rib material from my form block?
• Cutting out rib blanks
• Making fiberglass wing tips
• Can I use pulled or pop rivets for the wings?
• Where can I find stainless steel pop rivets for the ailerons and flaps?
• Using power tools and scotchbrite to scuff aluminum parts prior to corrosion treatment.

Welding 4130 steel

• Oxy-acetylene vs. TIG vs. MIG from the RAH forum, posted by "Highflier"
• Oxy-acetylene welding, RAH, "Highflier"
• Filler rod alloys, RAH, Bruce Frank
• Some good reasons NOT to MIG your fuselage together, by "Highflier"
• Post heating welded joints in 4130 steel, by Bruce Frank
   

Tools and Workshops

• Introduction
• Big sheetmetal brakes
• Somewhat smaller metal brakes
• Drill presses
• Scotchbrite deburring wheels
• Metal Cutting Bandsaws
• Bench grinder ideas
• Other improvised tools
• Wing Construction Suggested Tool List
• Thinking about setting up a workshop in which to build? Here's a link to discussions concerning shops from the Bearhawk list, compiled by Benton Holzwarth.

Please note that this FAQ is a work in progress. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information it contains, but do not rely upon anything without taking the time to double check things for yourself. There may be errors, and much of this stuff is just opinion. Any comments and/or suggestions should be addressed to me.

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