The Workhorse Bush planes. 4 seats or more. Why we chose the Bearhawk 5.

[@J0HN_3_16]

Very useful video. Never understood a "bush plane" that couldn't accommodate camping gear.

[@Tugyankreel]

Love it when someone does the research for you….nailed it!

[@brandonlamontcooper8141]

nice.. i thought it was pretty cool as well

[@raywatson2458]

Virgil, FWIW...the new owners if Murphy aircraft are doing a stellar job of providing us with parts and support. New Moose kits rolling out as of Q1 2024!

[@The-virg]

Great to here. I hate to see designs become unsupported for owners.

[@chasejohnson1122]

i love the bearhawk so much, but im highly considering the murphy moose for ls3 conversion. im not sure how hard it would be to put the ls3 on a bearhawk 5, but i dont want to be the first to find out

[@Rottingboards]

The Office cut ins were spot on.

[@brettgerber795]

I was looking at a CompAir 6 & Moose project before I ran across the BH5 and was sold.

[@robmiller5818]

I've been following the Bh line for awhile, and of all the aircraft I've looked at for my future the Bh4 was the top of my list. Then they announced the 5. I'm 6'2 and 245 and most of my family are similar. I found your KZbin one day and ive been following ever since. Love the mods you've made and can't wait to see what's next. Out of ardmore oklahoma myself. I'm an avid scuba diver and something that would carry my self and any dive buddy's and all our gear is top rate.

[@treetopflight7624]

Great video. Incredibly informative, great shots of the different planes, and enjoyable to watch. Thanks.

[@joriol1]

Pilatus PC6 Porter belongs in that list

[@tyroneforsyth1680]

Never getting one in a 200k price range though

[@quentagonthornton49]

@@tyroneforsyth1680 That's true, but the Kodiak was an even bigger joke for the list.

[@smokyray]

Excellent video, great mission and thoughts. Being a MAF and Jaars supporter and backyard bush Pilot and… having a few BH4 hours I fully agree😎👍

[@Rottingboards]

Did anyone else catch where this video was going to end just by the scenery behind the speaker. 🤣 Loved the video. It had great reasoning through the whole video. It was also entertaining to watch.

[@RyneODonnell]

Almost matches my requirements PERFECTLY! Nice video. Thank you sir.

[@The-virg]

Glad it helped!

[@RyneODonnell]

@@The-virg emailed you my friend. Interested in a plane. Couldn't find your email so I emailed your wife (was on FB page!).

[@Scott_Hauck]

great video

[@The-virg]

Thanks!

[@offroad8706]

My next build is a BH5. I am interested in seeing the engine your going with and how it works out.

[@Vanisl4runner1]

My grandpa had a Found aircraft on floats, that he flew missions trips with the Shantyman’s on the coast of British Columbia and Alaska. He had actually signed up to join a missions organization in Africa but it never happened. Glad with your choice, I think it will work well!!

[@The-virg]

That is awesome. I have always wanted to fly a bush hawk but they are kind of a unicorn.

[@morganbeasley]

Awesome Video!

[@backcountyrpilot]

My Maule MT-7-235 had 5 seats and held 84 gallons fuel, but it weighed 1729# with a Gross Weight of 2,500#, so the Useful Load was only 771#. With 528# fuel and a 170# pilot there was 73# Payload. Even with just 40 gallons the the Payload was only 313# The elusive M9 Gross Weight is 2800, but in 10 years I’ve only seen 2 for sale. A new one is about $600,000 The 4-cylinder O360 and IO360 180 HP Maules have Over 1,000# Useful Load.

[@sailor5026]

Thanks for the comprehensive review. Good luck in your future endeavors.

[@clarencehopkins7832]

Excellent stuff bro

[@engina1572]

nice video thanks for the breakdown ! my dad has built a couple of the scratch build 4 place, i am really wanting to build one now as well. your picture and description of africa flying brings back memories of flying around north sudan etc. have you been stuck in a haboob yet ? you did miss the best stol airplane however the DHC-7 hahah we used to go into some really small strips with those at flap 45 you just kind of hang by the harness.

[@monostripezebras]

that was a pretty good run down, happy landings! Back in the day, a Dornier Do 28 would have been the plane for you..

[@The-virg]

D’ornières are cool aircraft but no parts makes them a hard airplane to use.

[@threetreesinblue]

REALLY enjoyed your edit. Very entertaining but also just what I needed as I'm selling my Champ and looking for either 180, 182, or Bearhawk. Thanks

[@The-virg]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Rottingboards]

Old Westerns and bush planes! Ohhh yeahhhh!

[@michaeldautry]

Can you comment on your choice to go with EFII over SDS for injection/ignition? Thank you, trying to learn…

[@colins2]

What was the name of the film that the clip at 8:20 ish was taken from? I've seen the film but can't remember the title and have spent fruitless hours searching for it. I'll be grateful if someone can post the title.

[@The-virg]

Air America. Great movie 🎥

[@colins2]

@@The-virg Thanks Virgil, yes, great movie, interesting as I live in Vietnam.

[@darrend5741]

Been dreaming about the BH5 since last year. Very close now on pulling the trigger. I was looking at the Higgs V4 engine that’s putting out 350hp normally aspirated. But I need to do more research before I choose that over a built Lycoming io-540. Have you ever considered the Higgs? Are they even installed on anything yet?

[@The-virg]

I would love to run the Higgs but they are years from going in an airplane most likely. I think they have a good foundation and a good company but they are in reality not an option yet, but it sounds like the ultimate engine for a bearhawk. 👍🏼

[@sirnewton6874]

I was sold on SR#3500. Once I seen the BH5. Complete off the hook plane. Checks all the boxes.

[@LaurentianValleyGrains]

Virgil I loved the video I have a large family and love the bush so this was very helpful. I’m looking for an airplane that can have amphib’s on to get into the small fish camps on the water but also land back at my runway at my house. What are ur thoughts?

[@The-virg]

Almost any of these planes can go on floats just keep in mind amphib’s are really heavy and will greatly reduce the useful load of any airplane.

[@taproom113]

Very thorough assessment. Good logic & choice. Best of luck in this endeavor. No more rewarding effort that serving your fellow man. Well done, carry on ... ^v^

[@The-virg]

Thanks appreciate it. 👍🏼

[@Austinmediainc]

Awesome video man! I've considered many of the airplanes in your list and I really can't find a better all around airplane for useful load, speed, and STOL capabilities. I would question being able to get into a 180/182 zero time for under 200k nowadays, and certainly not with new avionics. I also think the BH would be close to 250k with a zero engine.....what 350 HP engine are you using that can run 87 octane? Was it the auto conversion you mentioned?

[@The-virg]

The engine will be a highly modified Lycoming derivative. Hopefully showing up soon and I will do a whole series on it.

[@Austinmediainc]

@@The-virg nice can't wait. That's why I gave the 250k estimate on the BH, the io540 for experimental are like 70k now....up about 50% in the last 3 years. That and I wouldn't be able to do a lot of the stuff you can. The build is awesome man!

[@tonyvelasquez6776]

man this was such a great video. I've been in the research phase of getting into aviation and these are all of the things I want in a plane, but I didnt know the models well. This is awesome.

[@eskimo776]

There are STCs to run the Cessna 180 on auto fuel in the standard category.

[@danm9874]

I would love to see a video about your engine

[@The-virg]

There will be several and a carbon cowl build series. 👍🏼

[@johanswart1730]

WHAAU,BRILLIANT ANALYSIS..❤😊😅ANYON3 CAN SEE U REALLY KNOW YOUR STUFF..MUCH BETTER THAN OTHER PLANE VIDEOS WE SAW.😊❤😅😂U CAN MAKE EXCELLENT COMPARISONS..COULD U MAYBE KEEP ON QNALYSING VARIOUS OTHER TYPES..EG ALSO ELECTRICAL PLANES CONVERSIONS.😅😮😮😂😢THINK ITS NEXT BIG THING..ON CARS ,BOATS AND TRUCKS TOO..CINVERSION KITS..😊😊❤😂WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT..😊😅😮😢❤😂😂COOL VID..AMAZING LIFE..

[@The-virg]

Thank you so much 😀

[@J0HN_3_16]

GOD bless you and your family and your ministry in Niger.

[@The-virg]

Thanks

[@derrelcarter9401]

Great video.

[@bernardmauge8613]

I share your opinion on the potential for a real bush airplane. This said a Bearhawk with STOL wing might offer greater access possibility while having a reduced airspeed. For bush work the trade off might be worth it

[@gregbruner1918]

Now that he has purchased Bearhawk, a stol kit is quite possible.

[@berniebrown9115]

How long before flying and will you be flying it to Africa?? Just saw pilot Bamby make that trip from Oshkosh to Africa. We will be watch your progress and praying for your mission work

[@jorgeblanco6708]

What about the Pilatus PC 6 Porter

[@The-virg]

That is the dream machine but much larger than any of these on the list.

[@smicksmookety]

Would the rans s21 go on there?

[@The-virg]

Nope it fits in the smaller two seat category.

[@akschu1]

Now that you are flying, do you see 160MPH with 1000 mile range? What is the actual useful load? Do you get 500ft takeoffs at gross?

[@The-virg]

Takeoffs are in the 500 foot range at gross. You will be pushing it to make 1000 miles at 160. But throttled back it will easily do 1000 miles.

[@TravisMcQuinn]

What engine are you using? Is the EFFII system 32 allowing you to use auto fuel?

[@The-virg]

Combo of Efii and the new motor design will allow use of 87 octane and up.

[@umvhu]

Aero diesel not on the menu?

[@Tommy-B.]

Can you move a certified plane into experimental?

[@The-virg]

Yep they can be moved with a little bit of paper work.

[@independentcontractor1633]

We're looking at aircraft for a disaster relief. It's it possible to use these experimental aircraft for that under a 501c3 in the states? Reading all I can find. Like another language. TY

[@The-virg]

Yes you could use it in that scenario, but not pilots may be compensated for there time essentially.

[@Scott_Hauck]

@12:06 now that is one way to wash your aircraft

[@The-virg]

Looks a little sketch but probably effective lol.

[@tjsingh5163]

Stinson 108 fit the category?

[@The-virg]

Yeah they can, they don't have a great useful load but are pretty good airplanes.

[@excellenceinanimation960]

How did you get to o to Africa and fly? I’d love to do something like that!

[@The-virg]

It’s been a long road but basically started working there couple times a year while in college and quickly figured out airplanes were a necessity to get anything done quickly. 5 years later here we are lol. Here’s the organization I started to fund it all. www.maglobalmission.com

[@Rottingboards]

Wow, I can hear so much screaming through the computer screen. Hopefully their salty tears don't ruin the keyboard. LOL. Great video.

[@DreadnautVS]

Instead of the Zenair 701, should look into the Zenith 750 Super Duty

[@backcountyrpilot]

He was looking at the 801 4-place. The 701 and 750 are 2-place.

[@DreadnautVS]

@@backcountyrpilot 750 SD is 3 place

[@dwaynecranston1035]

What about a bushliner (cyclone)

[@The-virg]

Not a bad option but they are not in production yet

[@lust4life577]

Too bad you could not include the original music from the Good/bad/ugly :) other than that, lots of great info here!

[@johnelliott4521]

Use cored carbon fiber with kevlar for floor stronger lighter just isolate from metals.

[@derrelcarter9401]

The fuel & price kick the Kenai as well

[@johnqdoe]

Does this really jive with physics? < 500ft STOL loaded with 160mph cruise for this design? Will have to double check this claim

[@AC-sv4yc]

what is auto fuel. is it gasoline?

[@The-virg]

Yes gasoline usually 91 octane is what that refers to instead of avgas which is 100 octane fuel with lead in it.

[@AC-sv4yc]

@@The-virg thank you. Thought it was what it sounded like

[@ChollaJJ]

Hmmm, how did we know this would end with a 350 HP airplane …..built up New ! 👍

[@shimy333]

I think you're 100% wrong on the Murphy moose That's what you should have went with the company solid and they've been in business forever I never heard of them going out of business ... For the amount of money you spending you could not have got a better plan

[@Frisher1]

Yes I've seen that lately they have gotten a lot better, it seems that at this rate they might start competing with the big boys

[@sledawgpilot]

All that makes sense in my opinion, (A&P IA). I’d love to build a Patrol, seems to be about as good as a Cub clone for short field but about 50% faster- as Bob Barrows engineered it. The videos of the factory make it seem like a bunch of craftsmen working with pride in a beautiful town, not a big sweatshop. I wasn’t actually turned off by the made in Mexico aspect when I saw those.

[@The-virg]

The craftsmanship is really impressive. Great airplanes and a great company to work with. 👍🏼

[@bernardmauge8613]

it is a sweatshop. They dont even have a forklift to load the crates into trucks. Stop kidding yourself. Your greed turns off your conscience.

[@sledawgpilot]

@@bernardmauge8613 not having a forklift doesn’t prove your point. Have you been there?

[@bernardmauge8613]

@@sledawgpilot yes

[@Austinmediainc]

​@@bernardmauge8613like most of the planes and parts aren't sourced from China which is the sweat shops of sweat shops. I'm sure you have plenty of Chinese stuff....but go on and judge someone else that is friggin going on a mission to Niger!

[@scbane]

Cessna 182 King Katmai by Peterson

[@RodneyMcGonegal]

Never trust a guy that doesn't like a beaver

[@dougpoulton3633]

No Beaver goes 140mph.

[@The-virg]

That’s true. Never flown one but I figured they should be included in the list as they are kind of legendary and I considered one.

[@本末久尚ユウコベルト]

Is this a video of an airplane? There is no need to include the eyes of a middle-aged man.

[@plantpower3048]

Talking about bias lmao The M7 is the best 4 place bush plane ever created. It's heavier than a shoddy experimental for a reason. Airframe strength, rugged oleo landing gear, insulation, etc. If I were you I would have taken my 200k, put it in a Maule M9 and instead of wasting 2500 hours plus on an experimental plane with dodgy reputation, work extra hours and buy the Maule instead! a well proven FAA certified aircraft that you can trust your life on. Experimental manufacturers can make up numbers as they wish...

[@The-virg]

Bearhawk has 350 pounds more useful load, goes faster, higher g rating at gross than a maule, full 14in travel nitrogen dampened landing gear, and half the price of a maule I would build another right now if I needed it

[@plantpower3048]

@@The-virg those numbers are not certified. They can claim whatever they want. Actually only the 4 place wing was tested for static g loading and it wasn't even the current B wing...There has been cases of structural failure as well

[@The-virg]

There has never been a structural failure of any factory built bear-hawk. There is one failure of a scratch build LSA Bearhawk that appears to have pulled in excess of -3gs, which is outside any light aircrafts structural ratings other than extreme aerobatic aircraft. @@plantpower3048

[@johnqdoe]

@@plantpower3048Bush Hawk FBA-2C smokes a maul’s face! Then wipes the floor with the maule! Going back into production in NZ to continue smoking your face!

[@johnqdoe]

@@plantpower3048He gave your little airplane 4th place, ok guy? You can wear the pink ribbon, ok gurl?

[@dshogan6174]

Not a very accurate video. You rely on too much rumor and need to to your research in greater detail. Further. I’d hardly call half of those large aircraft. You have two completely different classes of aircraft and lumping them all into one. A tip, KNOTS are the speed to use for airplanes

[@CharlesBerryamericanlinkage]

Wilga 80 ?

[@The-virg]

Wilgas are not particularly great stol aircraft and are really slow in cruise. Also really hard to come by.