AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - November 2021 - 65

Kit Number One
Goldberg said constructing the airplane from a fuselage and
advanced-completion wing kit is possible for those short on skills
but long on patience. He built the example that he calls " Kit Number
One " in about 13 months and affectionately named it El Atlixquense
(from Atlixco), a tribute to the city where the factory is located.
" The first one isn't the prettiest 4-Place but it's a workhorse, "
he said during a visit to the Texas ranch near Austin. Two hangars
of airplanes and airplane parts share space with a 2,600-foot-long
grass landing strip; pastureland dotted with his five sheep and two
grazing cows; and a garden with rows of watermelon, cucumbers,
peppers, and tomatoes.
Goldberg said that building your own " brand-new airplane that
you know inside and out-because you built it-and then taking off
and having it fly and it being such a great flying airplane-that's
a tremendous sense of satisfaction. " A typical Bearhawk 4-Place
model can be assembled for between $80,000 to $85,000 up to
about $115,000, depending on engine and avionics choices, and
may be an attractive option when considering a new, similarly
equipped certified aircraft that could cost several hundred thousand
dollars more.
Building an airplane from the ground up might seem like a
daunting task to those who have yet to open a crate of parts and
visualize themselves flying a fully assembled aircraft that they built
one fastener at a time. Goldberg's cellphone rings daily with builders
asking questions, and he coaches them through the nuances
of home-building. Goldberg is keen to encourage others to pursue
home-building for the sense of accomplishment and for the
knowledge gained learning about every system, fastener, and component.
" If you're willing to ask questions, and not just drill holes
before you know what you're doing, you'll be fine, " he said. " Most
of the people buying our kits have never built an airplane before.
It's awfully fun, and when you're in the airplane itself, it's even
more thrilling. It's a satisfaction you don't really understand until
you've done it. " david.tulis@aopa.org
A 260-horsepower, six-cylinder Lycoming IO-540
engine with ram-air induction and a K&N air filter,
a composite MT three-blade propeller, and dual
electronic ignition power Anton's 4-Place. A 10-inch
full swiveling tailwheel incorporates a pin that pops in
for rudder pedal steering. " It works really well and is
robust. I haven't bent it yet and I'm not a perfect pilot, "
says Anton. Bearhawk Aircraft owner Mark Goldberg
(above) constantly coaches builders. " If you're willing
to ask questions...you'll be fine, " he says.
WHEN COMPARING
THE FRAME MATERIALS
AND CONSTRUCTION
TECHNIQUES TO A
COMPETITOR'S PRODUCT,
GOLDBERG SAID " IT
WOULD IMMEDIATELY BE
NOTICEABLE THAT OUR
TUBING IS MUCH
BEEFIER. "
AOPA PILOT / November 2021
65
AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - November 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - November 2021
