Development and Design
Bob Barrows conceived the original Bearhawk design in the early 1990s from his base in Fincastle, Virginia, initially intending to create an aircraft capable of hauling aircraft engines as freight. The Patrol variant emerged as a refined two-seat tandem improvement over the venerable Piper PA-18 Super Cub, addressing the need for enhanced speed, climb rate, and endurance in the backcountry aviation community.
Barrows incorporated several innovative design elements into the Patrol, including a NACA 4412 airfoil on early versions, later upgraded to the Riblett 30-413.5 airfoil on newer variants to achieve 5-8 mph higher top speeds while maintaining docile stall characteristics. The aircraft features heavy-wall round landing gear tubing specifically engineered to resist sideloads during rough-field operations, a critical improvement over conventional designs.
Manufacturing Evolution
The Patrol's production history reflects the dynamic nature of the kit aircraft industry. R & B Bearhawk initially offered plans in the mid-1990s, with complete kits becoming available in 2001. Manufacturing responsibilities subsequently transferred to AviPro Aircraft before settling with Bearhawk Aircraft, which operated from Austin, Texas as of 2017 before relocating to Fairview, Oklahoma.
In February 2024, Bearhawk Aircraft changed ownership under president Mark Goldberg, ensuring continuity of production for the Patrol and related variants. The company has sold over 200 Bearhawk kits and plans worldwide, demonstrating sustained market demand for high-performance homebuilt aircraft.
Engine and Performance Specifications
The standard Patrol configuration employs a 180-horsepower Lycoming O-360 four-cylinder, horizontally-opposed, air-cooled piston engine, though the airframe accommodates powerplants ranging from 150 to 260 horsepower. Alternative engine options include the Lycoming IO-375 Stroker producing 205 horsepower, the O-540 generating 250 horsepower, and as of August 2023, the DeltaHawk DHK180 diesel engine rated at 180 horsepower.
With its standard engine installation, the Patrol achieves cruise speeds of 115-120 knots at 2,500 RPM and 2,500 feet AGL, consuming 6-7 gallons per hour at 60-65 percent power settings. This performance represents a significant 40-50 mph speed advantage over the PA-18 Super Cub when equipped with identical engines, while maintaining the capability for up to 9-hour endurance at 100 mph cruise speeds.
Construction and Configuration
The Patrol incorporates a welded steel tube fuselage covered with fabric, combined with aluminum wing spars and ribs in a strut-braced high-wing configuration. The 32-inch wide cabin provides generous space for two occupants in tandem seating, while flaps deploy to 40 degrees for enhanced short-field performance. The aircraft accommodates conventional tailwheel landing gear as standard, with optional float installations for water operations.
Gross weight is certified at 2,000 pounds, with a wingspan of approximately 18 feet. The design accepts both constant-speed propellers from manufacturers like Whirlwind and fixed-pitch units from companies such as Catto, allowing builders to optimize their aircraft for specific mission profiles.
Production Numbers and Global Reach
By December 2011, exactly three Patrol aircraft had been completed and flown, marking the beginning of a steady production increase. The year 2017 alone witnessed five first flights across multiple locations including Cocolalla, Idaho, Sanger, Texas, and Louisiana, indicating growing builder interest and capability.
The first Brazilian Patrol, constructed from a quick-build kit purchased at EAA AirVenture 2014, achieved first flight in January 2020 in Lontras, Santa Catarina, through the efforts of Fernando Frahm, Andre Frahm, and Roberto Lindner. This milestone demonstrated the Patrol's international appeal and the effectiveness of Bearhawk Aircraft's kit distribution network.
By 2017, at least 78 combined Bearhawk and Patrol models had been constructed, with approximately 77 registered in the United States and 11 in Canada by 2016. The broader Bearhawk family has achieved recognition within the homebuilding community, including EAA AirVenture Oshkosh awards for exceptional craftsmanship.
Legacy and Current Status
The Bearhawk Patrol has established itself as a premier choice for pilots seeking Super Cub-like capabilities with modern performance enhancements. Its combination of short-field performance, increased speed, and structural robustness has made it particularly popular within STOL and backcountry flying communities.
The aircraft serves as an affordable alternative to out-of-production classics like the Cessna 180 and 185, while offering the satisfaction of homebuilding. With ongoing production under Bearhawk Aircraft and continued international expansion, the Patrol represents a successful evolution of the traditional fabric-covered taildragger for contemporary recreational and utility aviation needs.