Bearhawk Aircraft’s Model 5 Makes First Flight

Six-place, 300 hp STOL airplane also hauls big loads.

Jonathan Welsh

Friday, November 11, 2022 at 04:37 PM ET

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The six-place Bearhawk Model 5 has made its first flights. [Credit: Bearhawk Aircraft]

Key Takeaways:

Bearhawk Aircraft's new kit-built, six-place Model 5 backcountry airplane has completed its first flight, offering increased hauling capacity.
The aircraft performed as expected, demonstrating agile handling and good cross-country speeds, with a test pilot noting 142 knots indicated at 8,500 feet.
Designed for both off-airport (STOL) operations and efficient long-distance travel, the Model 5 can accommodate Lycoming engines ranging from 250 to 315 hp.

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Bearhawk Aircraft said its Model 5—a kit-built, six-place backcountry design—has completed its first flight. The new model brings increased hauling capacity to the Austin, Texas, company’s current lineup of two- and four-place airplanes.

The aircraft performed as expected, according to Rollie Van Dorn, an airline pilot who flew the Bearhawk 5 for its initial 25 hours and also flew the Model 5 prototype, along with other Bearhawk models.