Mark M said his fuselage is lacking about ten hours of finish welding. He really wanted to see a pair of AviPro wings and he was able to get a look at the ones I got in November 05. It took Mark about two seconds, give or take a nano-second, to want a set. It's been said before, but the worksmanship on the AviPro wings are just beautiful. Just one look is all it takes.
Paul M

I looked at the Tundra real hard before I wrote BD a check.  The reason I went with the BH is: 
1.    I fit better ( I am 6'6")
2.    BH had much better performance numbers
3.    BH had more engine options
4.    BH looked cooler
5.    BH had more usable room for stuff and people
6.    Mark was from Austin and a nice guy. ( I am from Houston)  His passion for the plane helped sell me.  And I knew if I needed to "touch and feel" the plane I could motor to Austin and "see" it.
7.    Rag and Tube just seemed better to me
8.    When I talked to the Tundra sales force, it always went through my head that they were so far away...long distant calls...etc... if I needed help.
9.    The BH had BEARTRACKS ?
10.   I knew that BD was associated with the plane and had heard of him.      
11.    The sales force for the Tundra just did not seem as helpful as the BH guys. I also looked at the Daytona Super Cub kit, but those guys were too busy to help anyone.  I think they went out of business. 

Service after the sale is a huge component of a purchase, and you will not go wrong with the BH.  The group really helps everyone with all issues and the CD is a life saver for us " don't know what the hell we are doing half the time but want to learn” guys.

David W. (Houston)

I want to thank David W (Houston) for having John W and I to his "airplane factory" yesterday.  I was VERY impressed by the completeness of the kit, the finished welding, and the quality.  The QB Bearhawk is a very impressive kit and I was blown away by the extent of the packaging of the wing crates and the quality of the wings themselves – the standard of quality that has been set here is phenomenal. 
Jim N

I must say, the worksmanship is absolutely first class; the wings are exceptional.  The fuel tanks appeared perfect.  My hat's off to you and your crew, Budd.  It was impressive. 
Paul M. (Alaska)

This Bearhawk kit is wonderful and the quality is unbeatable.
Ed S (Phoenix)

Four of us were graciously invited to go to Salt Lake City and see Peter S’s BH kit #11.  The workmanship on the parts is really good.  The wings looked terrific.  The tanks were beautifully welded.  This kit will save you at least three years of fabricating. 
Steve and Mike E, Mike B, and Brad H.

Mark,
It's great to hear from you.  I am probably the only person in the Bearhawk community yet to congratulate you on getting your airplane flying. I want to remedy my negligence and heartily congratulate you on your accomplishment. 

To take the first production kit to completion and have it flying in just 15 months is absolutely fantastic. Furthermore, I recognize that you didn't just build an airplane from a kit.  You and your partners created a business to build that kit.  To create an organization, set up the business, raise the capital, make the tooling, train the technicians, jump through the legal and political hoops, market and transport the product, and provide support to your customers, strikes me as an even greater feat.

I would like to extend my congratulations to the entire Avipro team.  I commend you, Budd, Bob Barrows, Jim Clevenger, Angel and his team of craftsmen and all those who make up the Avipro family for yours, mine, and the many more Bearhawks that will soon be flying thanks to the quick build kits.  It is a remarkable achievement to successfully envision a kit for the Bearhawk and then take that vision to fruition.  As a result of your (and I mean this collectively) efforts, the number of flying Bearhawks should start to grow exponentially. 

Additionally, I commend you on what must bring personal satisfaction beyond your airplane.  You have developed a new industry in a part of Mexico that is dear to you.  Having Avipro set up manufacturing in Mexico seems to be a win-win situation. You are introducing new skills and techniques to the people working in the Avipro factory and providing a high quality and affordable product back home and around the world. 

I am completely happy with my kit and am constantly astounded by how much work has been done on it.  Please extend my congratulations to your partners and employees.

I am happy to hear that your plane is flying well and I hope it is fulfilling your expectations.  I look forward to getting together at one of the Bearhawk gatherings in the not too distant future.   If you venture up to Montana, you are always welcome.

Keep up the good work.  I will keep you posted on my progress.
Lance B.

Everyone has a right to their two cents.  Here's mine. 
I have found the no-bullshit approach that Budd/Avipro takes to be refreshing.  In my view, this "vendor" has been completely straight-up, providing ample reason for their pricing policy from the beginning.  Based on consistent high-praise from their customers, if anything, their product is still under-priced, even after the modest increase planned for next month. I'd wager that most of the Bearhawk community would agree that Budd is not just another vendor.  While he didn't design the airplane, most of
us have bd to thank for our knowing and caring about it. 
Mark C, #502

I just finished e-mailing Budd and telling him how impressed I am with the quality of the kit.  I have everything unpacked and put away and in the process looked at all the parts.  It's a tremendous amount of work and there is nothing that I've seen that could have been done better.  Hat's off to you guys.
Mark R

Good morning Mark
It was good to talk to you yesterday. I have been in aviation for over 30 years, and running a flying service for over 20years. I’m an A&P with IA also doing rebuilds and annuals. I always said if a Kit plane came out that would do every thing I wanted, I would build it. After receiving the Bear Hawk Kit and starting on it I know I made the right choice. The work done in Mexico is excellent, and the aircraft is very well designed. I hope to have it flying next spring some time so I can semi retire and enjoy it. I plan on putting a 520 Continental on it with a MT prop ,I think it will be a good combo for it ,plus I already have a engine .
Martin T

The flight in your bearhawk was simply the high point of my life dealing with the Bearhawk ,a true performance plane, it really startled me how quick it left the ground, and I loved the visibility even better ,its attitude in flight .Being a machinist and designer by trade I was very impress by the fit and finish of your kits, I have seen 3 now in the Salt Lake area ,they are impeccable .I have looked for design errors and cant find any .Its nice to find product and people who do their home work., again thanks, it did wonders to propel me in my own project ..
Sincerely Mike B
Bearhawk 427

Just a comment, after almost two years of work building a set of wings we received a "store bought" set from AviPro. (it sort of speeds up the second BH). I must confess the workmanship and attention to detail on the Avipro set is very impressive. 
Mike C  #463 and #469 (Northern Ontario)

Put me down as a completely satisfied customer of AviPro Aircraft. I bought the Bare Fuselage Kit and even though it would have been nice to say, "I built it all myself", time is a factor. I am 75 years old.

I sit in my new fuselage frame and marvel at all the work we will not have to do. Both of us have gone over their product and can find no problem with the material or workmanship. I am an A/P with IA and over 53 years aircraft maint.experance so it is not my first inspection, and every thing Budd said was true. Most unique.   
Murray H.  #506   (South Carolina) 

Don:
    I'm one of the first purchasers and very close to completion.
    Can't answer most of your questions but will be able to after completion.
    What I can say is:
        The completed airplanes are meeting all expectations
        The quality of the kit is very good and getting better as AviPro gains experience.
        There were a few hickups with the early kits but they were all handled in a timely manner by AviPro.  The offset to that was that I got my kit cheaper, along with others, for being early kits.  The drawback is that current kits are better and include a lot more.  Same was true with me from Van's Aircraft.  I purchase the #1 (Numero Uno) RV-6 fast build kit and even there ended up breaking a little trail.
        Most importantly, the two main people at Avi Pro, Budd Davisson and Mark, are responsive, honest, very smart and very good people and destined to be in business for a long time.
    There are three BHs being built at Skypark, KBTF.
    Best
Peter S

The kit is Grade "A" and the group support is too.  So, have fun and enjoy every minute of the build.  Oh and get the wife involved as well for the interior stuff in particular. (of course that is if there is one) at this point we are not knowing.
 
Rick P.

Rod S. (Colorado) wrote: Yesterday I had a chance to see Stewart R's Bearhawk kit in Denver. I believe it is serial #6. I wanted to see it because I have been considering buying the wing kit in order to get flying about 2 years earlier. I was really impressed with the quality. For anyone that is considering the kit or parts of it, do not worry about the workmanship.
Note follow up below (one year later):
I finally was able to drag my new wing crates into the garage today and open them up. To say I am impressed is a gross understatement. Even the crating is a work of art. I can’t find one bad rivet. Please convey my thanks to all the production workers in Mexico. They should be proud of the work they are doing. Many thanks.
Rod S

Hello Budd,

Just thought I would let you know that the wings arrived here in perfect condition.   I am EXTREMELY pleased with the wings and the job your staff did crating them for delivery.  I am so glad I ordered them from you - they are perfect and this will save so much time in the construction of the Bearhawk - I can hardly wait to get it completed!    You and your staff were very helpful.
Roy V (Alaska)

A few days ago went up and saw a quick build kit going
together near where I live. It's a beautiful kit, and
the guy building it has experience with many super cub
rebuilds, and others, was impressed with the quality
of the kit as well.
Sam B

Hey all it is true. 
Zippy Dog and I had the pleasure of viewing Ed S's (Phoenix) Quick Build Kit Saturday. The workmanship and tooling is first class, welds are beautiful, sheet metal work and riveting, flawless. From a die hard scratch builder, " That thar Quick Build Kit aught ta get ye fence sitters moving now, best darn value yule ever see, wish they had them when I was younger." ( Like before I started scratch building! ) 
Kevin D. Bearhawk # 272

This was my second trip, and I've already worn you guys out by extolling the exceptional quality and value of the QB kit. The Avipro kits are without a doubt (in my mind) the best value in aviation today!  The safest aircraft that can carry a load and operate out of short strips. OK it doesn't meet everyone's needs/desires, but dollar-for-dollar it has to be the winner.  I was just thinking of those poor Alaska bush pilots who fly for hire.  Once they become acquainted with the BH they will not be satisfied with their current rides, I'm sure.
zippy dog (Phoenix)

I just want to say that Avipro has a very classy operation.  I haven't had a chance to unpack anything yet but Mike Nellis is great to deal with. He's actually delivering my RV-7 kit to someone in Colorado on his way back.  He spent 5 hours helping me pack up the kit for shipment.
>
> Everything came very well packed.  The fuselage "stands" are
> convenient.  The wing crate is very well thought out and functional.  I haven't seen the wings yet but the welding on the fuselage is top notch. I'm sure the wings will be the same.
>
> It's been a pleasure, Budd.  Worth every penny.
>
> -John C

The local A&Ps,pilots,wannabes
around here are impressed with the BH as I am. When I
was looking for a new kit plane to build, I looked at
kit after kit. When I came to the BH the search was
over. I sure don't regret my decision & I haven't
flown one yet. And you can quote me on this! 
elden y

Mark,

Thanks for the fast service. You guys really run a tight ship. The
quality of your kit components has been excellent. The service and
communication with the staff is first rate. I will definitely be in
contact for other parts when the need arises, or to give referral info or progress reports. I just renewed my newsletter subscription. It has been excellent also. I really appreciate the way you guys have stepped up in support of the Bearhawk design! Joe

Budd,
I just want to say “Thank you very much for making these kit components available. With the arrival of my very impressive and quality-built fuselage, I now have something that looks like an airplane. Starting up a new company must seem like a rather thankless venture at times but please accept a Thank you from me at least.
Joe L (Florida)
#166-004

The quality of the kit that you had on display is one of the best that I have seen.  I rebuild aircraft, so I have seen my share of variations in welds, rivets, fit, and finish.
    The aircraft impressed me enough to purchase a set of plans from Bob Barrows on site at Oshkosh.  There will be a Bearhawk in my hangar as soon as I can liquidate some of my other aircraft.
   After 35 years as a farmer, I now rebuild aircraft as a living/pastime with ten on inventory.  Life is good.  Thank you.
Dave Y