None in the marketplace right now — see all Bearhawks on ClearProp →
Overview
The only six-seat amateur-built with genuine off-airport manners: 3,000-lb gross, 1,400-lb useful load, 225-ft takeoff roll — a Cessna-185-sized hauler in kit form, running the Lycoming 540/580 family behind a Hartzell Trailblazer.
Pros
- ✓ 6 seats + 1,400 lb useful load
- ✓ 225 ft takeoff / 240 ft landing
- ✓ +4.5g gross utility strength
Cons
- ✗ 300-hp engine + CS prop = budget
- ✗ Big for a first-timer: 1,000 h build
Full specification
Identity
| Manufacturer | Bearhawk (United States) |
| Status | In production |
| First flight | 2014 |
Classification
| Class | Homebuilt / Kit |
| Build form | Kit |
| Part 103 eligible | No |
| LSA eligible | No |
| Materials | aluminum |
| Gear | taildragger (skis/float config) |
| Mission | stol-bush, cross-country |
Capacity
| Seats | 6 (2+4/cargo) |
| Engine options | Lycoming IO-540 (300 hp) · IO-580 (315 hp) · IO-540-D4A5 (260 hp) |
| Power | 260–350 hp |
| Fuel type | 100LL |
Performance
| Cruise | 152 mph |
| Stall | 44 mph |
| Vne | — |
| Range | 640 sm |
| Climb | 2,300 fpm |
| Ceiling | 15,000 ft |
| Takeoff dist. | 225 ft |
| Landing dist. | 240 ft |
Weights
| Useful load | 1,400 lb |
| Gross weight | 3,000 lb |
| Empty weight | 1,600 lb |
Dimensions
| Wingspan | 34 ft |
| Length | 25.5 ft |
| Height | 6.42 ft |
| Wing area | 186 sq ft |
| Cabin width | 44 in |
| Rotor (gyro/trike) | — |
Economics
| Kit price (base) | $55,000 |
| Kit price (complete) | — |
| Plans price | — |
| Est. finished cost | $130,000 |
Compiled from: bearhawkaircraft.com Five page · Kitplanes 'The Big Bearhawk' (2021) · AOPA Bearhawk 5 fact sheet — verify current kit pricing with the manufacturer.
Notable variants
- Bearhawk 4 (two-seat)
- Bearhawk Patrol
- Bearhawk LSA
- Model 5 w/ aux tanks 74 gal
FAQ
- Is the Bearhawk 5 really STOL?
- At 250 ft typical takeoff (500 ft at max gross) with 225-240 ft landings — yes, genuinely off-airport capable with 6 people or 1,400 lb of cargo.