bearhawk aircraft
Bearhawk Aircraft is a privately held manufacturer of experimental amateur-built aircraft kits, offering five utility models from light sport to 6-seat heavy haul, sold direct-to-consumer to amateur builders on a build-to-order basis with factory and partner build-assist services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersFairview, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What bearhawk aircraft does
Bearhawk Aircraft is a privately held manufacturer of experimental amateur-built aircraft kits, headquartered at the Fairview, Oklahoma airport (6K4). The company designs and supplies five utility aircraft models spanning the spectrum from light sport to heavy haul: the 2-seat tandem LSA (65-147 hp, 1500 lb gross), the 2-seat Patrol bushplane (160-220 hp, 2000 lb gross), the 2+2 side-by-side Companion (160-220 hp, 2200 lb gross), the 4-seat Four (180-280 hp, 2500 lb gross), and the 6-seat Five (260-350 hp, 3000 lb gross). All models share a common design language of single-strut aluminum wings with proprietary modified Ribblet airfoil sections and hydro-formed ribs, gas-welded 4130 steel tube fuselages, flush head rivet construction, oleo strut suspension with a tail stinger for 360-degree fuselage stress relief, and 2024 T3 aircraft-grade aluminum with a three-step corrosion-resistant treatment.
The company sells direct-to-consumer on a build-to-order basis, requiring non-refundable deposits of $6,000-$10,000 depending on model to secure a production slot. Lead times run 6-12 months, and final pricing is confirmed 60 days before delivery, with published estimates allowed to vary up to 10%. Customers purchase an airframe kit and supply their own engine, propeller, avionics, paint, and wheels/brakes, choosing from a curated supplier network that includes Hartzell, Catto, and MT propellers, Grove, ABI, and Matco wheels and brakes, and Garmin avionics. Beyond kits, Bearhawk operates a Factory Build Assist program at Fairview (with slots open into 2027) and an authorized partner build center network consisting of Stol-it Aircraft in Linden, Tennessee and Dash Air in Edgewater, Florida, providing professional assembly for time-constrained buyers. The company supports a builder community through bearhawkforums.com, an email newsletter, Oshkosh AirVenture presence, and continued technical and parts support for the legacy Four A model that has been in service for nearly 30 years.
Bearhawk is founder/owner-controlled following a company sale and transition announced on February 27, 2024, with Virgil Irwin identified as the current owner. The company operates with 11-50 employees, serves a global customer base primarily in North America with opportunistic international shipments, and issues ongoing airworthiness directives and operational alerts to maintain the safety and support of its in-service fleet.
bearhawk aircraft firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- bearhawk aircraft
- Legal name
- Bearhawk Aircraft
- Website
- https://bearhawkaircraft.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Bearhawk Aircraft is a privately held manufacturer of experimental amateur-built aircraft kits, offering five utility models from light sport to 6-seat heavy haul, sold direct-to-consumer to amateur builders on a build-to-order basis with factory and partner build-assist services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
bearhawk aircraft industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Experimental Kit Aircraft
- NAICS
- Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)
- SIC
- Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Kits & Experimental Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Training & Light Sport Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAE), Business & General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAC)
Keywords
Where bearhawk aircraft is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fairview
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
bearhawk aircraft business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Aircraft Kit Sales: Bearhawk generates revenue primarily through the sale of experimental amateur-built aircraft kits. Each model has different deposit amounts ($6,000-$10,000) and final pricing varies based on options and specifications. Lead times are 6-12 months.
- Build Assist Services: Factory build assist program at their Fairview, Oklahoma facility where professional staff guide customers through the build process. Also partner build centers offer slow/fast build options for customers who cannot commit full-time building.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | LSA Kit - 2-seat tandem aircraft kit |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Patrol Kit - 2-seat adventure aircraft kit |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Companion Kit - 2+2 seat side-by-side aircraft kit |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Four Kit - 4-seat aircraft kit |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Five Kit - 6-seat aircraft kit |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
bearhawk aircraft product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bearhawk Aircraft designs, manufactures, and sells build-to-order experimental amateur-built aircraft kits across five models (LSA, Patrol, Companion, Four B, and Five) ranging from 2-seat light sport configurations to a 6-seat heavy hauler. Customers receive a complete airframe kit including aluminum wings, steel tube fuselage, hardware, suspension, and brake system, then supply their own engine, propeller, avionics, paint, and finishing components. The company also provides optional factory and partner-based build-assist services to help customers complete assembly.
Product overview
Bearhawk Aircraft is an Experimental Amateur Built aircraft kit manufacturer offering a complete product line spanning five aircraft models: LSA (2-seat, 65-147 hp), Patrol (2-seat bushplane, 160-220 hp), Companion (2+2 side-by-side, 160-220 hp), Four (4-seat, 180-280 hp), and Five (6-seat heavy hauler, 260-350 hp). All models share standardized design features including aluminum single-strut wings with modified Ribblet airfoil, 4130 steel tube fuselage with gas welding, and oleo strut suspension. The product portfolio centers on customizable aircraft kits with optional Build Assist programs at factory and partner build centers. Supporting offerings include comprehensive build manuals, community forums, service alerts, and a network of partner suppliers for engines (Lycoming, Continental, Rotax, Titan), propellers (Hartzell, Catto, MT), wheels/brakes (Grove, ABI, Matco), and avionics (Garmin). The company also supports legacy aircraft models including the Four A.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Bearhawk: Primary brand name for the company's aircraft lineup including LSA, Patrol, Companion, Four, and Five models.
Products and services
- Bearhawk LSA Light Sport Aircraft kit in a 2-seat tandem configuration with 121 mph cruise IAS, 31 mph stall, 65-147 hp engine range, 1500 lbs gross weight, and 650 lb useful load. Features aluminum wings with Ribblet airfoils, oil-dampened suspension, and is positioned for Part 103 / LSA builders seeking performance beyond typical light sport aircraft.
- Bearhawk Patrol 2-seat adventure bushplane kit with 148 mph cruise IAS, 36 mph stall, 160-220 hp engine range, 2000 lbs gross weight, and 800 lb useful load. Designed for off-airport operations with optional float configurations for backcountry and bush flying.
- Bearhawk Companion 2+2 side-by-side seating aircraft kit with 138 mph cruise IAS, 38 mph stall, 160-220 hp engine range, 2200 lbs gross weight, 900 lb useful load, optional jump seat, and 250 lb baggage capacity for family or passenger carrying.
- Bearhawk Four (Four B) 4-seat aircraft kit with 144 mph cruise IAS, 42 mph stall, 180-280 hp engine range, 2500 lbs gross weight, and 1100 lb useful load. The original Bearhawk model established since the 1990s, currently produced as the Four B with design improvements over the legacy Four A.
- Bearhawk Five 6-seat heavy hauler aircraft kit with 151 mph cruise IAS, 44 mph stall, 260-350 hp engine range, 3000 lbs gross weight, and 1400 lb useful load. The newest and most popular Bearhawk model offering true off-airport performance with IFR capability, paired as standard with the Hartzell Trailblazer propeller.
- Factory Build Assist Factory build assistance program at the Fairview, Oklahoma facility following a fast build model of two one-week sessions, with painting, wiring, and finish work completed between sessions. Designed for customers who want professional build quality and faster completion, with slots available for 2027.
- Partner Build Centers Authorized partner build center program with Stol-it Aircraft Inc. (Linden, TN) and Dash Air (Edgewater, FL) offering fast and slow build options to assist customers in completing their Bearhawk aircraft builds at regional facilities.
- Bearhawk Four A (Legacy) Original Bearhawk Four A model introduced in the 1990s featuring leaf spring tail suspension, steel door formers, Naca Airfoil, gap between flaps and fuselage, and smaller main fuel tanks. Continues to receive technical support and parts, serving customers worldwide for nearly 30 years.
Companies that use bearhawk aircraft
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
bearhawk aircraft technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
bearhawk aircraft partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Stol-it Aircraft Inc.coreFounded in Fair Play, SC and recently moved to Linden, TN. Kris and Debby Griewahn have spent 12 years building custom aircraft for Bearhawk clients. Offers fast/slow build options at their twice-the-size facility with larger runway and future hangar rentals. Contact: [email protected], (727) 249-6109
- Dash AircoreLocated in Edge Water, Florida at Massey Ranch Airpark (X50). Run by 'Helio Joe' and son Joey with many years of award-winning aircraft building experience including RV10s, super cubs, and Bearhawks. Offers fast build services. Contact: [email protected], (386) 690-6455
- Hartzell PropellercoreRecommended propeller supplier for Bearhawk aircraft. The Hartzell Trailblazer is the standard recommended propeller, particularly for the Five model, offering amazing takeoff thrust and weight savings.
- Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)minorBearhawk recommends customers educate themselves on experimental aviation through the EAA, which serves as a primary resource for the experimental aircraft community.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
bearhawk aircraft competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Zenith Aircraft Company: Makes the STOL CH 750 and Zodiac series — light utility/STOL kit aircraft directly competing with Bearhawk LSA, Patrol, and Companion models in the bush/short-field amateur-built segment.
- Glasair Aviation (Sportsman): Makes the Sportsman 2+2 kit aircraft — a STOL/high-useful-load competitor directly comparable to the Bearhawk Companion and Five models in the amateur-built utility segment.
- Sonex Aircraft: Builder-assist and kit manufacturer of the Waiex, Xenos, and Onex experimental aircraft. Comparable as a US-based amateur-built kit maker with similar build-assist service model and homebuilder customer base.
- Van's Aircraft: Largest amateur-built kit aircraft manufacturer in the US (RV series). Directly comparable to Bearhawk as a kit-only experimental aircraft maker serving homebuilders, with overlapping performance/high-performance utility positioning.
- Murphy Aircraft: Canadian manufacturer of the Renegade, Rebel, and Radical kit aircraft. Comparable amateur-built kit maker targeting bush/utility pilots with similar multi-seat configurations to Bearhawk.
- Kitfox Aircraft: Manufacturer of folding-wing STOL kit aircraft (Series 7, Super Sport). Overlaps with Bearhawk LSA and Patrol as a light, STOL-capable amateur-built kit serving similar hobbyist backcountry pilots.
- CubCrafters: Manufacturer of Carbon Cub and XCub STOL aircraft kits. Direct competitor in the bush/backcountry experimental kit market with similar STOL and useful-load performance positioning to Bearhawk Patrol and Five.
- Just Aircraft: Makes the Highlander and SuperSTOL kit aircraft. Competes with Bearhawk in the STOL/backcountry amateur-built segment with overlapping seat counts and mission profiles.
- RANS Aircraft: Manufacturer of S-6S Coyote, S-7 Courier, and S-19 Venterra kit aircraft. Competes with Bearhawk in the light experimental/STOL amateur-built kit market.
Emerging players
- Backcountry Super Cubs: Specialty modifier/builder of experimental PA-18 Super Cub variants serving the same backcountry/STOL mission as Bearhawk Patrol, though as a modification shop rather than original kit manufacturer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
bearhawk aircraft social profiles
Digital presencebearhawk aircraft financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
bearhawk aircraft leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
bearhawk aircraft funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
bearhawk aircraft M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about bearhawk aircraft
What does bearhawk aircraft do?
Bearhawk Aircraft designs, manufactures, and sells build-to-order experimental amateur-built aircraft kits across five models (LSA, Patrol, Companion, Four B, and Five) ranging from 2-seat light sport configurations to a 6-seat heavy hauler. Customers receive a complete airframe kit including aluminum wings, steel tube fuselage, hardware, suspension, and brake system, then supply their own engine, propeller, avionics, paint, and finishing components. The company also provides optional factory and partner-based build-assist services to help customers complete assembly.
Is bearhawk aircraft a public or private company?
bearhawk aircraft is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was bearhawk aircraft founded?
bearhawk aircraft was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is bearhawk aircraft based?
bearhawk aircraft is headquartered in Fairview, United States, in the North America region.
How does bearhawk aircraft make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Aircraft Kit Sales are the primary driver. The others are build Assist Services.
Who are bearhawk aircraft's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Zenith Aircraft Company, Glasair Aviation (Sportsman), Sonex Aircraft, Van's Aircraft, Murphy Aircraft, Kitfox Aircraft, CubCrafters, Just Aircraft and RANS Aircraft. Backcountry Super Cubs is listed as an emerging player.
Does bearhawk aircraft have an API?
No public API is recorded for bearhawk aircraft.
What industry is bearhawk aircraft in?
bearhawk aircraft's product category is Experimental Kit Aircraft. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAAAJ, Fixed-Wing Aircraft Kits & Experimental Aircraft Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMABAAAE, Training & Light Sport Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 336411 and its SIC code is 3720.