Long Time Flyer, First Time Buyer

Good morning! I just got back from a trip to Dallas where I filmed my first “airplane review.” My YouTube channel is about to pivot away from Navy flying videos and sidestep into these airplane walk-around style videos (think YouTube car reviews, but for airplanes). With that being said, if you own, fly or have access to an airplane, business jet, helicopter, sea plane, bush plane, warbird or blimp that I’d be able to film, please fill out this form. Bonus points if it’s cool, unique, expensive or for sale ✈

-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• I Bought My First Plane (sort of)

• Around the Skies: Boeing’s new CEO, Cessna 172 flies 2,400+ miles to Hawaii, ICON Aircraft finalizes sale, Embraer debuts the Phenom 100EX

• PilotTube: How to actually afford an airplane

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Buying My First Airplane - Bearhawk Five

Okay, let me set the record straight — I didn’t actually buy my first airplane (yet). I did however, put down a $15,000 deposit to get on the waiting list for the Build Assist program for a Bearhawk Five on my last day at EAA AirVenture 2024.

Now, there’s no such thing as the perfect airplane, but rather one that fits your mission pretty darn well. Living in Montana with three young kids, my current mission is simple — I want a set of wings that can safely take my family into the backcountry and also compete in (and maybe win) STOL Drag. Down the line, my other missions will require a personal jet and open cockpit biplane, but for now they just live on my vision board 👀

So Why a Bearhawk?

A Bearhawk is an experimental backcountry bush plane. From my mission listed above, a bush plane should come as no surprise. But “experimental” (and not “certified”) was a major driver in my decision. Some pros of experimental aircraft include tremendous freedom given to owners when it comes to customization and modification of their aircraft, as well as generally lower purchase and maintenance costs compared to certified aircraft. In contrast, some pros for certified aircraft are extensive testing which ensure high levels of safety, approval for commercial operations and generally higher resale value than experimental aircraft.

Zooming out though, I have always been drawn to the Bearhawk line of aircraft. For starters, the designs of each model are the brainchild of Bob Barrows — a skilled and experienced aircraft mechanic and engineer who initially created these aircraft for his own use, with a strong focus on rugged performance, excellent flying characteristics and versatility.

I also wanted an airplane with a stick, someting I haven’t had since flight school while flying the T-45 Goshawk. Don’t get me wrong, a yoke gets the job done (I’ve yanked and banked a C-2 Greyhound just fine with a yoke), but there’s something about a stick connecting man to machine that I’ve always enjoyed.

I also wanted something that can haul more than just one passenger. After all, I live in one of the most rugged and beautiful parts of the lower 48 and experiencing it by myself doesn’t seem likely. Now, the statistics show that most pilots think they want a plane to bring along their family and friends, when in reality they end up flying solo 90% of the time. And having worked on the sales team at Cirrus Aircraft, I’ve found this to be true. However, the entire reason I’m still involved in aviation is for my children — taking them to new places and introducing them to the magic of flight is something truly special. I don’t envision flying a bush plane “for fun” without them by my side or in the back seat.

I also really (REALLY) want to compete in STOL Drag. Something I’ve never done (or even experienced first hand), but a type of flying I believe to be the most exciting that doesn’t involve carrier landings. Plus, the backcountry crowd I’ve met in person are some cool dudes — you could say they’re “my people.” 🙃

Bearhawk Five, by the numbers:

Seats: 6
Length: 25’ 6”
Wingspan: 34’
Wing Area: 186 sq ft
Engine: Lycoming YIO-540-L1C5 (Optional - Lycoming YIO-580-B1A)
Horsepower: 300hp (Optional - 315hp)
Maximum Speed: 156 kts
Cruise: 132 kts at 75% power
Stall: 38 kts
Rate of Climb: 2,300fpm
Range: 640 miles (880 miles with added fuel tanks)
Takeoff Distance: 225’
Landing Distance: 240’
Empty Weight: 1600 lbs
Gross Weight: 3000 lbs
Useful Load: 1400 lbs
Maximum Fuel: 55 (74) gallons
Configurable as: Tailwheel, Skis, Floats

What Really Sold Me on Bearhawk

Listing specs and capabilities is fine, but what actually convinced me to buy a $350,000 airplane that hasn’t even been built yet, from a company that is rarely featured in FLYING Magazine? For me, it was the new ownership of the company and meeting the husband & wife power couple at the helm.

In early 2024 Virgil Irwin, along with his wife Mackenzie, bought Bearhawk Aircraft. They are young, ambitious and are the first builders/owners of the first-ever Bearhawk Five. Virgil purpose-built his Bearhawk Five for missionary work in Niger, but when the African country had a military coup just over one year ago, their plans to move halfway around the world came to a screeching halt.

In the weeks and months that ensued, whether by luck or from a divine plan that’s been in the works all along, they were in talks with Mark Goldberg about buying his company. After six months of due diligence and research, the sale of Bearhawk Aircraft was finalized.

This past year in Oshkosh, I spent a lot of time with Virgil and his team, learning what the plans are for the company moving forward and honestly, I couldn’t be more excited. For the past 20 years, Bearhawk has been growing its reputation as an outstanding company that manufactures different models of reliable and proven airframes. However moving forward, Virgil is racing Bearhawk Aircraft into the 21st century and the company will soon be a force to be reckoned with in the experimental space.

Under the new leadership, the company already has a new logo, updated website and just started offering a build assist program — fantastic news for a pilot like me who doesn’t have the time or ambition to spend 1,000+ hours building an airplane in my garage. And over the next few years, the aesthetics of each Bearhawk model will receive improvements and the avionics packages simplified.

I’m excited to have a literal front row seat to everything in store for the company and can’t wait to get my very own Bearhawk in 2 ½ years!

Don’t Keep flybuyer a Secret!

Help me grow the newsletter by sending this link to your pilot friends!

AROUND THE SKIES

👍🏼 Boeing’s new CEO is already making an overdue change his first day on the job.

📸 Cessna 172 flight from California To Hawaii sparks social media buzz.

💸 ICON Aircraft completes sale to SG Investment America.

🛩️ Embraer debuts the Phenom 100EX at LABACE 2024.

PilotTube

This video nicely summarizes the main reason I went with an experimental airplane, starting at the 2:36 mark.

Interested in Sponsoring This Newsletter?
Email me at [email protected] to get your business featured in an upcoming edition.

Do You Have An Aircraft I Can Film?
I’m always on the lookout for airplanes to review for my YouTube channel. If you own, fly or have access to an airplane, business jet, helicopter, sea plane, bush plane, warbird or blimp, please fill out this form!

Need to Sell Your Plane?
I’m the founder of Royal Aviation Group, a veteran-owned aircraft brokerage that specializes in video content to get airplanes sold. Send me an email at [email protected] if you’d like to chat.

Follow @flybuyer on Instagram!