Longtime Customer Buys Company As Aging Founder Exits the Game

"After Turning 70 years old twenty months ago, I began to think it was time to let someone younger take charge of the company," said Bearhawk Aircraft's outgoing owner Mark Goldberg.

The new company head, Virgil Irwin, took delivery of the family earlier this year, starting off a move from their home base in Texas to Oklahoma. Originally, Irwin joined the fold as a customer, searching for a rough & tumble mission-ready aircraft that provided truly livable mission readiness. He became the first owner of a Bearhawk Model 5 kit after talking things over with Goldberg, cementing him as an operator of a true off-airport, 6-spot aircraft once complete.

“As I began to build the airplane, I 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." Irwin, having dealt pretty closely with Goldberg, felt that it might be possible to float a purchase. He loved the Bearhawk brand, and wanted to know whether or not plans were in place for its continued stewardship. He showed off his newly completed Bearhawk 5 at AirVenture 2023 and things picked up speed from there.

"We will be revising kit manuals, developing new products, and overall expanding the offerings that Bearhawk has for its customers," Irwin said, referencing his co-owner and wife Mackenzie. "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.”

FMI: www.bearhawkaircraft.com