I am a 365 hour pilot with ASEL and IR. Initially trained in 172 then bought a 1974 Cherokee-Six which was newly overhauled which I used to get my IR and first 200+ hours of independent flying experience. A sizable transition from the 172 but gave me the useful load that I was looking for: 4 guys and clubs to fly 2-3 hours for golf. Well, as you can imagine, once you feel you have the bigger heavier plane thing down, you want to extend your range without extending your bladder and the need for speed caught up with me. I traded in my six for a 90 bo with 1650 hours this april. It's been a lot of fun to learn the new ship. Not as difficult a transition to complex as I thought it might be but this one came equipped with an Aspen so that's been fun and very nice to learn.

I am based at Hartford Brainard (KHFD) and Chatham, MA (KCQX). My primary mission is to fly over all the traffic going to and from Cape Cod so I can be there as much as possible. Now that we are empty nesters, my wife and I want to spend as much time on Cape Cod as we can. I still have to work so I use the plane as a nice way to stretch the weekends and allow me to have a more flexible life. I still have to work to pay for everything but I can use the plane to go directly to customers or meetings rather than the hassle of the commercial sardine cans. Now my trips are interesting and fun rather than a total drain. Haven't figured out how to get my wife comfortable coming with me yet but hopefully she will someday. Friends, colleagues and one daughter have enjoyed joining me.

Since I took possession of the plane, I have had an alternator and primary VAC failure/replacement. Something to be expected after 1600 hours I suppose. I also put in a 430W to go with the 530W that it came with. It also came with an Aspen. I will post a picture of the panel when I have a chance but will include a picture from the outside here.

I bought the plane with a runout engine and it's now down for the engine replacement. I just started a thread in the single engine forum if interested. Unfortunately, I will be down for a few months (hopefully only a few) and welcome any ideas on how to find rental/shares to keep doing missions while mine is grounded. I also plan to get the ship upgraded with a TN from TAT, Oxygen and FIKI TKS from Tim in Ada, OK.

I have been following the forum for sometime and happy to meet/talk to other Bo folks, particularly if they're in the local area.

Beautiful plane, John.

I hope the new engine thing works out well for you...

Great looking Bonanza.

Awesome looking plane John----super nice ramp appeal!!

Matt