Source: 2023 Q3 Beartracks, Ken Frahm
I’ve never owned an airplane before. I’ve wanted to build one since I found out it was possible in college. What I wanted to build changed shape over the years as I figured out what kind of life I wanted to live. Then after a moose hunting trip in 2016 I realized I needed something rugged, that could carry a load. Then, my wife convinced me that we were going to have children and they would be coming with us… so a rugged plane with four seats plus a load and enough range to get around our massive state without many fuel stops? Well, there is only one option at that point.

When I realized that the Bearhawk existed I immediately called Mark Goldberg to ask about it, and in 2018 I saw him in Oshkosh, went for a test ride with my wife in Texas shortly thereafter, and ordered a kit when we were blown away by the performance.
Four years later the kids are here and the Bearhawk is done. All of the attributes that sold me on a Bearhawk have already proven their worth. I haven’t gotten everything as dialed in as I would like (hence the unpainted cowling) but it is already a workhorse. Our last trip was just about the perfect example of the Bearhawk’s mission as a family hauler. My family of four flew to a remote cabin 2.5 hours from home, off the road system. We spent the night and came back the next day, spurred on by unforecast worsening weather – typical Alaska. As we picked our way through the deteriorating scud, I was picking out gravel bars and flat spots we could put down on if necessary. Due to recent experience I knew we could land and takeoff on numerous strips bars and flat spots that most planes with our load would not have done safely. It was quite a stress reducer.

Ken adds: This Fall an awesome Moose hunt a la Bearhawk ensued. Pic above is my Buddy Nick who shot the moose. I flew home over the Alaska Range with myself, my survival kit, and the whole harvestable portion of a moose (about 500 lbs including the 48” rack!) I’m becoming more fond of this plane every trip.
Editor’s note: We’re pretty sure that Ken’s is the first Bearhawk to use skis on its first flight.