Robert "Bob" Barrows is an American aircraft designer and engine builder of light aircraft. Best known as the designer of several Bearhawk planes, he is also a mechanical engineer, and A&P licensed aviation mechanic.[1][2]

Career

Barrows is the designer of the Bearhawk Patrol, Companion, 4-Place, and Model 5 light aircraft,[3] as well as the Bearhawk LSA light-sport aircraft.[4]

Prior to designing the first aircraft in the Bearhawk series, the 4-Place, Barrows designed and built a STOL high wing plane called the Grasshopper and an aerobatic biplane.[5] After designing his four-seat Bearhawk in the early 1990s, Barrows started using airfoils designed by Harry Riblett in his Bearhawk designs.[6]

In April 2019, Barrows was injured in his Bearhawk LSA when he clipped power lines on approach to land. The LSA's steel tube design resisted crumpling beyond the firewall.[7]

References

  1. ^ "About Us". R&B Aircraft. Archived 4 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Bigger & Bolder". Flying. August 2020. p. 14. Retrieved 2024-01-15. – via EBSCOHost
  3. ^ Boatman, Julie (26 May 2020). "Bearhawk Builds First New Model 5". Flying. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  4. ^ Tulis, David (1 November 2021). "Capable Homebuilt Performer". AOPA. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Bob Barrows on Airplane Design". Bearhawk Aircraft. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  6. ^ Spangler, Scott (19 July 2013). "The Airfoil Adventures of Harry Riblett: Finishing the work NACA started". Kitplanes. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  7. ^ Cook, Marc (23 April 2019). "Bearhawk Designer Bob Barrows Injured in Landing Crash". Kitplanes. Retrieved 10 July 2023.