Bear 360 Airborne

Skip Holm's new Bear 360, specifically designed for the Warbird/sportsman pilot, made its first two test flights on 3 Februrary from California City Airport, California,with Skip at the controls. The first flight was undertaken to determine the basic flight characteristics and landing qualities of the airplane. The aircraft was immediately landed thereafter and the airframe was inspected. No problems were found and the aircraft was service for the second flight. The ensuing flight was flawless and systems checks were performed.

The gear was retracted and a cursory flight test investigation was commenced. The performance was excellent and the stability characteristics were exceptional. The Bear 360 stalled exactly as predicted, straightforward with a crisp recovery.

The landing was uneventful. Roll-out including tail down, was easily accomplished with no noticeable washout of directional control so common on many tail dragger type aircraft. The final assesment of the first two flights was that the Bear 360 showed outstanding performance, was extremely stable and pilot friendly, and exhibited exceptional ground handling qualities.

The Bear 360 is a high-performance, two seat, all-metal, low-wing monoplane equipped with retractable conventional Ianding gear and speed brake. It is fully engineered to meet FAR Part 23 requirements, was wind tunnel tested, was loaded to destruction, and is being flight tested to US military aircraft industry standards.

The Bear 360 design required excellent takeoff, landing, and in-flight handling characteristics which were refined in a unique wind tunnel equipped with at takeoff and landing test capability. Also required were unexcelled 230-knot crOSS-country performance, and exemplary acrobatic capability. These characteristics were engineered into the Bear 360 design by internationally renowned YakovIev design team and verified in extensive wind tunnel testing using a 32 percent Bear 360 model.

Secondary design requirements targeted airshow and air racing capabilities which demand precise maneuvering, and excellent formation handling characteristics. Additionally, the design required low cost of ownership/low maintenance costs.

This multi-mission aircraft design was driven by the physical dimensions of the M- 14P 360-horsepower air-cooled ninecylinder radial engine. This engine was selected because of its excellent high reliability and low ownership cost. The M14P is currently being used oil several aircraft sold in the United States including the Sukhoi Sui 26 intL Su 26 and Su 'SU 29 along, with the. Yakovlev Yak 18P and Yak 50.

Aside from the M-14P engine attributions, handling characteristics and tl performance requirements led to a distinctive aircraft profile reminiscent of classic aircraft like the Bearcat, Hellcat, and Coir. The Bear 360 has a large and comfortable two-place tandem cockpit with dual flight controls. The Bear 360 wing has an airfoil selected to provide tow drag, good low speed handling characteristics, and excellent stability to high angles of attack. For example, stability was demonstrated to 30-degree angle of attack with full flaps down. Standard instrumentation will range from current US technology avionics, GPS, to full IFR for some customers, depending on the purchase selection.

To complement the Bear's excellent speed and stability characteristics, a speed brake is mounted near the aerodynamic center of the aircraft between the flaps. The speed brake can be employed throughout the entire aircraft flight envelope with minimal change to steady state trim settings. A generous cross-country baggage or equipment bay is provided and the rear fuselage can even handle a couple sets of skis! For further information and putchase availability, contact Donna Rogers at 1-661-393-4045 or e-mail donnabear@earthlink.net.