Bearhawk Patrol Flies in Brazil and a Bearhawk LSA Flies in NZ

Bearhawk Aircraft is celebrating announced the first flight of a Bearhawk Patrol in Brazil and a Bearhawk LSA in New Zealand. The Patrol and LSA are tandem two-place aircraft designed by engineer Bob Barrows. Delivering superior strength and durability, these aircraft fly fast and land slow. Bearhawk aircraft are also known for their short field capability, gentle slow speed manners, and hauling capacity.

The Brazilian Bearhawk Patrol was completed in January. First flight followed after "some time waiting for official paperwork." The aircraft received its official release on April 10th. Build customer was Fernando Frahm, along with his son Andre and co-owner/builder Roberto Lindner.

"Boa tarde Mark," was the message sent from Alexandre Henrique de Barros of Magnólia Cubs, the Bearhawk Aircraft representative in Brazil. Alex continued, "Brazil's first Bearhawk Patrol flew on 4/10/2020 out of Lontras, Santa Catarina, Brazil (ICAO SSLN)." The Quick Build kit was purchased during EAA AirVenture 2014 by Fernando Frahm of Rio do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil.

"A few months after the arrival of the kit, Fernando sold a share of the kit to his friend Roberto, who joined him in the construction. The average time spent working on the aircraft was about four hours a week, eventually increasing up to eight hours during the covering and painting phases. The basic configuration includes a Superior IO-360 180-horsepower engine with a Dual Plasma II Ignition system [from Light Speed] and a constant speed propeller from MT-Propeller [of Germany]. According to Roberto, the Patrol exhibited takeoff and climb performance never before experienced in any aircraft of its class."

Roberto also highlighted the handling characteristics, especially concerning the Patrol's predictability. He attributed this to the "harmony and balance of the flight controls and well-dimensioned surface areas," adding, "It truly felt that we had had been flying this aircraft for a long me." Speaking on the construction, Roberto emphasized the high quality of the welding and kit components in general, its ease of assembly, and constant support from Avipro, Bearhawk Aircraft's kit manufacturer.

Though not as ubiquitous as the "corner bar" in Brazil, the number of Bearhawks in the country is expanding. Fernando's kit, being the first shipment of a Bearhawk Patrol to Brazil, unites with another local operator of a 4-Place Bearhawk model. Also using an IO-360 Continental engine, this 4-Place Bearhawk was the first to fly with that engine.

As a rancher in southern Brazil, Fernando knew immediately this was the aircraft for him. His decision followed a demo flight at AirVenture. A Patrol was just the airplane he needed to land at the short strip on his ranch, and it would also allow him greater travel flexibility at better cruise speeds than similar STOL/utility aircraft he had been considering.

Nic Roberts of Plane Torque Ltd. in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, built and recently flew the first Bearhawk LSA aircraft (example shown above) in New Zealand. The aircraft was purchased as a Quick Build kit. According to Nic, "The LSA has produced a large amount of interest from local aviators. The Bearhawk line of aircraft have become well known for their capability. They perform well in New Zealand." He noted that other 4-Place Bearhawk aircraft are flying in the island country and making impressions. "A point of difference is these aircraft have a presence more like standard category aircraft than amateur-built.

"We have flown just over ten hours in our Bearhawk LSA aircraft, completing the mandatory test flight period. After the first flight, our test pilot said, 'What a fantastic little aircraft,' along with an enormous grin on his face. The aircraft is performing very well with its Continental O-200-D and Catto propeller. The test flying creates much attention during takeoff and landing on the local airfield, Hastings Aerodrome.

FMI: www.bearhawkaircraft.com