Photograph:
First Australian registered Bearhawk Aircraft Patrol LSA 19-8375 (c/n 10) at Narromine, NSW in 2015 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat light sport aircraft
Power Plant:
One 63 kw (85 hp) Continental C-85 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 10.36 m (34 ft)
- Length: 6.79 m (22 ft 3 in)
- Height: 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 15.88 m² (171 sq ft)
- Max speed: 225 km/h (140 mph)
- Max cruising speed: 201 km/h (125 mph)
- Economical cruising speed: 161 km/h (100 mph)
- Landing speed: 48 km/h (30 mph)
- Take-off roll: 91 m (300 ft)
- Range: 1,046 km (650 miles)
- Fuel capacity: 113 litres (25 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 340 kg (750 lb)
- Loaded weight: 544 kg (1,200 lb)
History:
The Bearhawk Aircraft Patrol and Bearhawk Aircraft Patrol LSA were developments of the R & B Bearhawk utility aircraft developed in the United States. The Bearhawk Patrol LSA was similar in appearance to the Bearhawk Patrol and remained a two-seat in tandem light aircraft. It was described as a clean sheet design, with an all new aerofoil designed in part by Harry Riblett.
The construction was similar to Robert Barrows’ previous projects, with the fuselage and tail surfaces using the traditional 4130 chrome alloy tube construction with fabric covering. The wings were an all-aluminum, flush-riveted design, with a single strut. Initially the aircraft was available as a plans-only build project, but Bearhawk Aircraft commenced tooling-up and started manufacturing basic kits, and quick-build kits for the new LSA, as it did with its other designs, the four-seat Bearhawk and two-seat in tandem Patrol.
A range of engines could be installed in the 48 kw to 90 kw (65 hp to 120 hp) range. The prototype of the Patrol LSA (N289EH) had an empty weight of 330 kg (728 lb) and was fitted with a Continental A65 engine.
First example of the Patrol LSA type in Australia was registered as 19-8375 on 23 July 2013, this aircraft being fitted with a Lycoming O-320 engine, examples later being imported to Australia and New Zealand. A Bearhawk Patrol has also been registered in Australia as VH-TUC (c/n P326) on 11 May 2018 to Alan Arthur of Perth, WA.