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.
Career
Barrows is the designer of the Bearhawk Patrol, Companion, 4-Place, and Model 5 light aircraft, as well as the Bearhawk LSA light-sport aircraft.
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. After designing his four-seat Bearhawk in the early 1990s, Barrows started using airfoils designed by Harry Riblett in his Bearhawk designs.
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.
References
- "About Us". R&B Aircraft. Virginia, United States. Archived from the original on July 4, 2009. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
- "Bigger & Bolder". Flying. August 2020. p. 14. Retrieved January 15, 2024 – via EBSCOHost.
- Boatman, Julie (May 26, 2020). "Bearhawk Builds First New Model 5". Flying. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- Tulis, David (November 1, 2021). "Capable Homebuilt Performer". AOPA. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- "Bob Barrows on Airplane Design". Bearhawk Aircraft. Texas, United States. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- Spangler, Scott (July 19, 2013). "The Airfoil Adventures of Harry Riblett: Finishing the work NACA started". Kitplanes. Connecticut, United States. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- Cook, Marc (April 23, 2019). "Bearhawk Designer Bob Barrows Injured in Landing Crash". Kitplanes. Connecticut, United States. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
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