AUSTIN, Texas — Kit-manufacturing company Bearhawk Aircraft has a new owner, Virgil Irwin.
Originally a Bearhawk customer, Irwin took delivery of the company’s assets Feb. 2, 2024, and is in the process of relocating the company to Fairview, Oklahoma.
“After turning 70 years old 20 months ago, I began to think it was time to let someone younger take charge of the company,” said past owner Mark Goldberg.
Irwin was the first customer for the company’s latest model, the Bearhawk Model 5, named for being the fifth design from veteran design engineer Bob Barrows.
“At the time, I was in search of a utility airplane that could serve overseas in a remote environment,” Irwin explained. “I needed true off-airport capability with great cross-country performance.”
Irwin said that as he began to build the six-place aircraft he was “blown away by the amazing craftsmanship that went into it and the potential that the entire Bearhawk line had.”
“Barrows has, without a doubt, designed a line of aircraft that have carved out their own segment of the market,” he said.
Irwin added he posited one thought “a couple of times” while building the aircraft: “I wonder if Mark will be ready to retire soon?”
Goldberg called Irwin shortly after he began flying his newly completed Bearhawk Model 5 to ask if he would be interested in displaying the airplane at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023. Irwin accepted and in July headed to Oshkosh not knowing what was to come of the week.
While getting to know each other at the show, Irwin said he “shared my dreams of owning my own aircraft company one day with Mark, and that is when we started exploring the purchase of the company.”
“I became convinced of his abilities, honesty, and willingness to do the hard work to take the company to the next level,” said Goldberg, who started the kit manufacturing business in 2001. “Virgil will be a great captain to drive the company going forward.”
Irwin and his wife Mackenzie, now co-owners of Bearhawk Aircraft, have big plans for the company.
“We will be revising kit manuals, developing new products, and overall expanding the offerings that Bearhawk has for its customers,” Irwin said. “Our new facility in Fairview, Oklahoma, will be home to our demo planes, transition training, a build-assist center, warehousing, and so much more. We look forward to welcoming all to the new facility and we anticipate hosting several events throughout the year.”
Goldberg added his involvement with the company “will continue as long as is needed to make the transition smooth and easy.”
Besides the new Bearhawk Model 5, other airplanes in the Bearhawk lineup include the four-place Bearhawk, the Bearhawk Patrol, a tandem two-place version, the Bearhawk Companion, a side-by-side two-place model, and the Bearhawk LSA for sport pilots.
For more information: BearhawkAircraft.com or 580-744-9084.