bye bye Bush hawk

ragbagflyer · Post by **ragbagflyer** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 6:45 pm

Looks like Found is restructuring and renaming the bush hawk the "expedition". Anybody know more?

YACdirect · Post by **YACdirect** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:14 pm

From the Found Aircraft website:

Expedition Aircraft Announces Certification Plans For Its E350 and E350XC Piston Aircraft
Toronto, Ontario – February 20, 2007
Expedition Aircraft announced today that it is in the final stages of certification for both of its multi-mission piston aircraft, the E350 and the E350XC.
Both aircraft will utilize the same rugged, four door, four seats (with optional 5th seat) design. Both aircraft will be equipped with the proven 315hp Lycoming IO-580 engine, offering customers industry leading horsepower, performance and payload.
Expedition’s E350 will be equipped with tricycle gear while the E350XC will utilize a rugged conventional gear, allowing it to be equipped with both tundra tires and skis for backcountry flying. To add to its versatility, both aircraft will be available for floatplane conversions, utilizing either the Aerocet 3400/3500 or Wipline 3450 floats.
“Unlike similar aircraft, the Expedition’s design is strong enough to accommodate floatplane operations without additional structural reinforcements” stated Expedition Aircraft’s Director of Marketing and Sales Andrew Hamblin. “With 315 horsepower, the E350 and E350XC will be very impressive performers. We are convinced that this will be the aircraft of choice for both seaplane and backcountry pilots.”

The E350 prototype aircraft celebrated its first flight on October 3rd, 2006 and has already exceeded expectations during its 100+ hours in the air to date. The initial performance of the aircraft includes a cruise speed of 160 ktas combined with docile stall characteristics of 53 kcas at a gross weight of 3800 lbs. Useful load in the spacious 50” wide cabin will be in the 1600 lbs. range. Even with its 100 gallon fuel tanks full, payload will be an impressive 1000 lbs. At gross weight, take-off performance is 1300 feet over a 50 foot obstacle with a rate of climb of 1300 feet per minute at sea level.
“Expedition E350 and E350XC customers will enjoy the best of both worlds – an aircraft with excellent cross-country cruising speeds and incredible performance coupled with enough payload and versatility to take your family almost anywhere” said Hamblin. “Until now, pilots have had to settle for shrinking payloads in order to get performance. Expedition Aircraft will deliver best-in-class value, payload and performance to our customers.”
Expedition Aircraft will be launching both the E350 and E350XC at Air Venture 2007 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin from July 23 – 29, 2007. Transport Canada and FAA Certification is expected by Q3 of 2007 with production to commence by Q4 of this year. These fast timelines are obtainable since Expedition has already completed 90% of the required certification work for the aircraft and currently holds a valid Transport Canada approved Production Certificate.

For Further Information Please Contact:

Expedition Aircraft
Andrew Hamblin
Director of Marketing and Sales
(416) 524-3436
http://www.expeditionaircraft.com

YACdirect · Post by **YACdirect** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:15 pm

From the found aircraft website:

Expedition Aircraft Announces Certification Plans For Its E350 and E350XC Piston Aircraft
Toronto, Ontario – February 20, 2007
Expedition Aircraft announced today that it is in the final stages of certification for both of its multi-mission piston aircraft, the E350 and the E350XC.
Both aircraft will utilize the same rugged, four door, four seats (with optional 5th seat) design. Both aircraft will be equipped with the proven 315hp Lycoming IO-580 engine, offering customers industry leading horsepower, performance and payload.
Expedition’s E350 will be equipped with tricycle gear while the E350XC will utilize a rugged conventional gear, allowing it to be equipped with both tundra tires and skis for backcountry flying. To add to its versatility, both aircraft will be available for floatplane conversions, utilizing either the Aerocet 3400/3500 or Wipline 3450 floats.
“Unlike similar aircraft, the Expedition’s design is strong enough to accommodate floatplane operations without additional structural reinforcements” stated Expedition Aircraft’s Director of Marketing and Sales Andrew Hamblin. “With 315 horsepower, the E350 and E350XC will be very impressive performers. We are convinced that this will be the aircraft of choice for both seaplane and backcountry pilots.”

The E350 prototype aircraft celebrated its first flight on October 3rd, 2006 and has already exceeded expectations during its 100+ hours in the air to date. The initial performance of the aircraft includes a cruise speed of 160 ktas combined with docile stall characteristics of 53 kcas at a gross weight of 3800 lbs. Useful load in the spacious 50” wide cabin will be in the 1600 lbs. range. Even with its 100 gallon fuel tanks full, payload will be an impressive 1000 lbs. At gross weight, take-off performance is 1300 feet over a 50 foot obstacle with a rate of climb of 1300 feet per minute at sea level.
“Expedition E350 and E350XC customers will enjoy the best of both worlds – an aircraft with excellent cross-country cruising speeds and incredible performance coupled with enough payload and versatility to take your family almost anywhere” said Hamblin. “Until now, pilots have had to settle for shrinking payloads in order to get performance. Expedition Aircraft will deliver best-in-class value, payload and performance to our customers.”
Expedition Aircraft will be launching both the E350 and E350XC at Air Venture 2007 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin from July 23 – 29, 2007. Transport Canada and FAA Certification is expected by Q3 of 2007 with production to commence by Q4 of this year. These fast timelines are obtainable since Expedition has already completed 90% of the required certification work for the aircraft and currently holds a valid Transport Canada approved Production Certificate.

For Further Information Please Contact:

Expedition Aircraft
Andrew Hamblin
Director of Marketing and Sales
(416) 524-3436
http://www.expeditionaircraft.com

I wasn't aware flight testing was in progress. They ought to market things a little more high profile I think

Idriveplane · Post by **Idriveplane** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 4:46 am

Any Pics?

Louis · Post by **Louis** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:17 pm

Comparing the pic on expeditionaircraft.com and the Bush Hawk, plus the wording of the press release, it seems to me that Found is starting a new brand name/division and launching two new types, not dropping the Bush Hawk.

Meecka · Post by **Meecka** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:57 pm

Found is NOT canning the Bush Hawk... They are coming out with a new aircraft... I work at a paint shop that does Most of their aircraft, and I was talking to the Found pilot that droped off another Bush Hawk for paint.

ragbagflyer · Post by **ragbagflyer** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:21 pm

I bet will drop the bush hawk. The expedition is essentially the same, except with a 580 instead of the 540, and the option of a nose dragger. Not much sense in competing against themselves. I wouldn't be suprised if the Found website and any mention of the the Bush Hawk fades away.

ragbagflyer · Post by **ragbagflyer** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:38 pm

"Found" a pic of the new plane. Definitely a replacement of the hawk, as it's essentially the same basic design with a few improvements.
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1228722/L/

Rowdy · Post by **Rowdy** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:48 pm

Why is everyone going with free castering nose gear?!?

Man that thing looks haggared as a trike...

Ohh well! I can't say much as I couldn't afford one anyways!

Lommer · Post by **Lommer** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 6:52 am

Agreed Rowdy, it looks like those poor dogs whose owners dress them up in pink frilly stuff and who give you that "please help" look when you walk by them. That aircraft just looks out of its element...

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:21 am

What advantage does a nose gear give you in a bush plane?

Spinner · Post by **Spinner** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:54 am

slows you down a lot quicker when the nosegear collapses on those rough strips.

looks like a yuppeee machine now.

Meecka · Post by **Meecka** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:25 am

it is a yuppy machine... Found was having a problem with niche market thing... they wanted to diversify. I got the impression when i talked to their QA guy that the Bush Hawk isn't selling as well as they'd like. The average airplane buyer doesn't want a tailwheel. So they came out with the Expedition, to compete with the Cessna 206 sales. They're still going to produce the Bush Hawk, they havn't done away with it completely, but they are going to put most of their effort into the Expedition.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:56 pm

The average airplane buyer doesn't want a tailwheel.

Which must mean the average buyer does not need an off airport airplane.

sprucegoose · Post by **sprucegoose** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 2:22 pm

the same way the average buyer does not need a off road capable truck...but they sure sale a lot.

Big Pistons Forever · Post by **Big Pistons Forever** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:17 pm

Looks like the box a C206 came in

ragbagflyer · Post by **ragbagflyer** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:01 pm

Cat Driver wrote:What advantage does a nose gear give you in a bush plane?

Not much, except the ability to sell to the masses I guess, which is always a goal.

Meeka, this is the new Bush Hawk. Once it's finalised there won't be any purpose to producing the current Hawk because the Expedition comes in a taildragger version as well. I think you aren't finding any mention of cessation of the Hawk because that would probably lead to even less sales. I think the expedition has cockpit adjustable cowl flaps, electric trim and by the looks of it, improved exhaust. A few extra ponies definitly isn't a bad thing either.

Meecka · Post by **Meecka** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 3:08 am

That's odd. The Found Employee I spoke to, while I was doing my acceptance inspection, when we had that ugly thing in our shop for paint. Never mentioned a cessation of production on the Bush Hawk. If memory serves, I believe he told me that they were going to scale back production on them though. I could be wrong though, scale back must have meant cease.

Oh, and I am well versed in the diffrences between the Expedition and the Bush Hawk... I've taken the damed thing appart, and put it back together again. The same with many Bush Hawks.

ragbagflyer · Post by **ragbagflyer** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:31 am

Meecka wrote:That's odd. The Found Employee I spoke to, while I was doing my acceptance inspection, when we had that ugly thing in our shop for paint.

How dare you call this beautiful machine ugly. Sir, I challenge you to a duel.

ragbagflyer · Post by **ragbagflyer** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:32 am

ragbagflyer wrote:
Meecka wrote:That's odd. The Found Employee I spoke to, while I was doing my acceptance inspection, when we had that ugly thing in our shop for paint.
How dare you call this beautiful machine (when in conventional gear configuration) ugly. Sir, I challenge you to a duel.

Meecka · Post by **Meecka** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 2:57 pm

You would duel a woman? I prefer things with clean sexy lines. Not short, fat, and ugly things

Bookem Lou · Post by **Bookem Lou** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 5:00 pm

Cat Driver wrote:What advantage does a nose gear give you in a bush plane?

I only ever use the nose wheel for parking.

ragbagflyer · Post by **ragbagflyer** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:50 pm

Meecka wrote:You would duel a woman? I prefer things with clean sexy lines. Not short, fat, and ugly things

It's a bush plane, not an Victoria's Secret model.

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 12:49 pm

That IS pretty UGLY though....

stl

Meecka · Post by **Meecka** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 4:50 pm

A beaver is a bush plane as well, and I think that is one sweet looking machine. the Bush hawk is a flying abortion (Just my oppinion though) As for the Victoria's Secret models, I'll take you word on that... I much prefer the Calvin Kline mens underwear models....