A Walk Around the New Bearhawk Five with Builder Collin Campbell

The latest airplane in the Bearhawk lineup is also its largest! The "Bearhawk Five" shares a wing with the Bearhawk 4-Place (Model B) but has a cabin space that is a foot longer and two inches wider. The max gross weight climbs from 2500 to 3000 pounds, and the fuselage, landing gear, and tail surfaces are all enlarged and strengthened. This new fuselage has room for a third row of seats. At 3000 pounds, the takeoff roll for the prototype is around 500 feet, with a climb of 1000 feet per minute. At more realistic lighter weights, it only gets better. Join us for a walk around the first prototype with Collin Campbell, the builder who carefully constructed the first example according to plans drawn by Bob Barrows of R&B Aircraft.

[@felixtorres1895]

The proportions on this airplane really look good very nice.

[@johntempest267]

I hope a builder out there plans to put a the LS3 in a BH5. Would be the perfect platform to poke the certified snobs in the eye.

[@Kevin_747]

Beautiful work by Colin. I admire his ability to build 4 Bearhawks. Looks like a winner for folks wanting a little more payload capability. I see future builders wanting an Airbus panel. Colin's example is perfect.

[@yashmanwani6232]

I bought 4 place plans last year. I am glad this came out before I started my build. I am going to order plans for this one as soon as they are out.

[@tat2joeelliott]

How are the plans? Is it a full set of plans ie so I could build the frame as well from the plans?

[@yashmanwani6232]

@@tat2joeelliott the plans are good for the most part. I have converted the plans to a CAD model at least 80% i would like to believe. So if u have any doubts maybe i can upload the video showing the CAD rotation from all angles without dimensions.

[@scratchbuilder5952]

@@yashmanwani6232 I`m also starting cad of the bearhawk in solidworks. do you have video of your work, be great to see

[@cblad1406]

@@scratchbuilder5952 @yash manwani doing the same here, can i contact you on email?

[@bradycope2332]

@@scratchbuilder5952 do you still have your CAD model? I would be interested in any info? And a video? Maybe it could generate interest in the Bearhawk

[@chaddthompson]

Look forward to seeing some more on this beast.

[@joelwilkins8695]

thanks for the update. looking forward to the kit coming out. A suggestion would be to get your guest a lapel mike. couldn't hear him except when he was in the cockpit.

[@countryflyer4536]

What a clean build!! Would love to build a plane with this guy, theres not of guys with his skill and knowledge left out there!!!

[@warrenjbrown4898]

Great video, thank you both...very articulate questions, answers, observations!

[@autonomousindividual7780]

Very talented people that can get this done. DONE.

[@ColbyOsborn]

Great video, Jared. Thanks!

[@CraigVanSickleAK]

Great video, enjoyed the walk around!

[@BetterAircraftFabric]

I REALLY like this airplane! - And I bet in its final version it will not be needing the Ballast. Here in Alaska we would just fly around with enough "stuff" in the back (in case of need; when you really need it) to maybe not need this ballast even on the prototype... I like those "dutch doors" as ( I bet ) they allow you to fly with the window open?! - I want one of these in the long run ( Too many current projects ). It would be a great airplane for flying here in AK. Best Regards from Alaska!

[@clarencehopkins7832]

Excellent stuff bro

[@inshanity84]

New dream plane!

[@Forty5Kimber]

I think full gull wing doors would work better but other than that exciting to see the 5

[@patrickdavey3978]

What a beautiful job, however, I am curious as to why the engine mount to firewall bolts installed with the head forward ?

[@dadweiss]

What about dihedral so that it trims and settles. Other Bearhawks seem to require flying it all the time if you know what I mean.

[@TheHawkeye61]

Harry Riblett has a whole family of airfoil shapes. Which Riblett airfoil did Bob select for this model of Bearhawk?

[@nrolled2888]

Does the Bearhawk have to be wrapped with fabric or can metal be used?

[@BPCougar8000]

It's experimental amateur built, do what you want.

[@joejody7814]

Colin reminds me of Jim Younkin.

[@joshholton4712]

I'm just curious, but why not move the ballast further aft so you can have less overall weight but the same moment and CG? Edit: I'm guessing it was for ease of adjustment for testing purposes?

[@sonshinelight]

That right there is a full Eye-Far panel.

[@mattwoody1089]

Would be awesome to see bob barrows design an all metal side by side bearhawk

[@benthurber5363]

Already done, the "Companion"

[@mattwoody1089]

@@benthurber5363 wishing these new companion builders would post some photos

[@bernardmauge6628]

thank you for the video. Would a Stoll wing be feasible on this aircraft?

[@danielwackerman7749]

Does anyone know if there are mod kits in the works for stol improvements like leading edge slats on the wings? I like this airframe a lot and wonder how it would fair next to a helio courier and a zenith.

[@devonlove9095]

I dont think they was intended to be a stol aircraft according to Bob's interviews.

[@Fatalimit]

i'm in idaho wanting to get my PL preferably a tail dragger setup my issue is i am 7'4" tall with a 42" inseam and this plane looks very promising i can see moving the seats back should help with the counter weight issue as i am 335lbs but if you ever are interested in having a live balast weight id love to check the plane out

[@johanhelberglongbowsknifes1185]

THERE IS ONE THING I WANT TO ASK HONESTLY CAN I BUILD A BEARHAWK FIVE WITH WOOD?

[@mastermoarman]

Nice is this going to be a kit we can get in the future? Is that a constant speed prop? Got any video of it flying?

[@JohnCoteTV]

Yes, the kits will start shipping in October according to company. It is a constant speed pro. Here is some flying around the pattern. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3rUkp9_hN2qhc0

[@steveerickson4175]

@@JohnCoteTV When do expect to have kit prices and options on your website? Will there be a Quick Build wing and fuselage kit?

[@markh672]

Does Collin build airplanes for people or does he just build his own projects? It looks like he does really nice work and I’m in the market to contract with someone to build a super Cub for me. If he does do contract work, can you provide a way I can contact him? Thanks!

[@tiomadol]

Yeaaaaaaaah

[@plantpower3048]

how can It use same wings as 4 place if it has higher gross weight...

[@clrann78]

Any video of the airplane flying/engine running?

[@pilot41186]

Just came out!

[@TheBaldPilot]

Yes. Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3rUkp9_hN2qhc0

[@pharmdiesel]

4 place bush plane 150 mph+....I think I want to build Bearhawk

[@johnelliott4521]

Needs more wing for shorter take off

[@tokpaben]

It looks like a bushplane to me with 2 bigger tyers in front.

[@joebales4086]

What is the tallest point on this plane?

[@henrikjonsson3397]

Are the wings really overbuilt? A lot higher mtow on the same wings

[@benthurber5363]

For the smaller ships? Yeah, pretty much. You can only scale metal wings so fine when metal thickness/strength jumps up 25-28% from the next thinnest size. But, on the plus side, they've been able to save money by having all their ribs hydroformed using the same dies for almost the entire line-up. And as they still perform favorably to their competitors, no one seems to mind them being overbuilt.

[@Grantspec]

What is the knob inside the wing root towards the leading edge?

[@TRPGpilot]

Cessna 172 fresh air vent.

[@jmkenny]

In Colin's defense I'm sure hes better then you average tail wheel pilot. Not his first redeo!

[@bernardmauge8613]

the engine is too heavy. use a 300HP Yamaha to fix the CG

[@ryanedwards7741]

Looks alot like a maule

[@taproom113]

Yepper ... wouldn't be surprised to learn the Maule M'5' was the inspiration for this design. ^v^

[@MisdemeanorThoughts]

Well, seeing as to how every vehicle I’ve bought that’s been made in Mexico (I’ve owned dodge and GM products) that makes me less apt to want to buy a plane that has its wing made there. Mexican companies don’t have that good of quality control. Seriously. Not trying to be a dick. But damn. At least spring for Canada (I’ve owned vehicles made there. Much better and they have first-world quality control.)

[@mcjon77]

You can always just buy the plans and build it yourself in the USA. It might add an extra 2-5 years to your build, but at least you will know that an American (you) built it.

[@ColbyOsborn]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGPSlmWQe5tkqpo

[@benthurber5363]

They're riveted wings. You see a bad rivet, drill, punch, dress, pound. Watch the factory video. More than acceptable craftsmanship. Good jigs and tooling. All raw material is US sourced. The ribs are outsourced and hydroformed. And, unless you've laid down a lot of pounds with a gas torch, you're going to have a hard time laying down comparable beads. Even seasoned craftsman often regret not getting the quickbuild kit. This is optimized for construction in your garage, so there's only so many CNC shortcuts you can make. And what you pay for bottom-of-the-barrel labor in the US/Canada gets you top-of-the-line in 2nd world countries.

[@toliver66]

Support the home team. Buy American made.

[@sledawgpilot]

@@ColbyOsborn it looks like the people at the factory in Mexico are proud of their job and do nice work. I’ve seen videos of US auto factory workers smokin’ and drinkin’ lunch. Good and bad anywhere

[@carlosballesteros4670]

Sound is so poor.

[@jorbedo]

The plant in México video the comments are off. Looks like they need a forklift to pickup the kits, OSHA in méxico? 🫣