And if Peter can do it, how hard can it be
FACTS Dave! hahahahaha.
Just because I don't like to sugar coat things much, let me just add - I'm glad Dave is a friend, nearby, and has built what, 4 Bearhawks plus a cub?
*When building you can choose to stick build a plane from plans (which is what Bob Barrows had intended from the start). Those that do have much more experience, time, and passion than I do.
*In my opinion, in today's kit offerings, you can buy a factory assisted build, an erector set kit, a quick build kit, or a raw materials kit. Using the titles I have given them you can basically assume the different levels of completeness and build support provided in hard copy (not referring to phone support).
My personal opinion is that for ship-to-your-home production kits, you have ones such as Cubcrafters that set the standard for completeness. All parts are produced. All manuals are provided. All hardware is not only provided, but is individually wrapped and labeled. Then you have kits that are like RV's, where everything is stamped and cut, and you rivet your life away building it. But, awesome manuals and support.
Then you have more the normal kits (in my perspective) where you have parts, pieces and manuals, but you still buy interior, hardware, fabric and such to make it all fly.
The Bearhawk is without doubt an outgrowth of the plans-built phase. You get a completely (and well done) welded fuselage, fully primed and ready for assembly. Complete tail surfaces are welded and ready. You get wings (all aluminum) that are not only assembled, but is completely flush riveted across the top, and the bottom skin is partially riveted so you can open it up, string your aileron cable and lights, and then close up just the bottom skin.
Flaps and ailerons are fully assembled and waiting for you to fabric cover.
And like other kits, you can purchase your hardware and other items (wheels, tires, brakes, engine, prop) from the company (at a good price) or you can source your own.
The shortcoming is that until Dave's manuals come into play, there is essentially no build manual. Yes, you have fabrication plans, but for someone that hasn't assembled one, there is no obvious roadmap to start and work down the path. Now I knew before I purchased a kit, and I am confident of my abilities to succeed in it, but even so there are days of frustration (like with any I suppose) that I rely heavily on Dave or others to answer build questions that would be in an assembly manual. If you've build before, I expect it's a fairly easy task.
All said, I still am sure I've made the right choice because of my flying experience in the Model 5, the Patrol, and a little bit in the LSA. The Patrol is absolutely the best fit for my mission and the day will come where I'll be flying the one I've built.
pb
Edit : As Tom mentioned, it provides a ton of opportunity for creativity on the build side, which for me is great, for others, not so much.
