Hi all,

Wow — what an incredible forum and community this is. I’ve been lurking here for many years, dreaming of someday becoming a pilot and owning a Bonanza.

I’m happy to say I’ve achieved the first of those two goals. I earned my PPL (i.e., my “license to learn”) in July of 2024, shortly after purchasing a 1980 Cessna 182Q near the end of my training. The 182 has been exactly what I hoped for — a true jack-of-all-trades aircraft that’s allowed me to experience a bit of everything GA has to offer.

I live in Durango, Colorado, where rising terrain and high DA are just part of the deal. Because of that, I sought out a 182 with more power, and ended up with a Texas Skyways O-550-equipped Skylane. The performance has been fantastic — and I’m sure it’s saved me from a few early airmanship errors along the way. About 500 hours later, it’s carried us to every corner of the continental U.S.: island strips in Maine, grass fields on Martha’s Vineyard, the Hudson VFR corridor, the DC SFRA, and countless adventures out west — Telluride, Aspen, Catalina Island, the San Juan Islands, plus various dirt strips in Utah and Colorado. We’ve loaded it with skis, bikes, our dog, and all manner of adventure gear. It’s been an incredible 18 months.

Today I’m posting to properly introduce myself as I begin phase two of this journey: moving on from the 182 to something I believe is a better long-term fit for many of these same missions — with an eye toward a growing family as well.

I’m starting the search for what I hope will be our “forever” Bonanza. High useful load (and therefore relatively low empty weight) is a priority, ideally paired with a lower-time airframe that we can keep for decades. I’m comfortable taking on projects and enjoy the process of making an airplane our own, so paint, interior, and even avionics work are all on the table. For how and where we fly, a TAT-equipped WWIII is a must, and I’d prefer to find a platform that already has a low-time IO-550. For Sarah’s comfort, air conditioning is the one luxury I’m willing to accept a weight penalty for.

I’m grateful in advance for any input, lessons learned, and tips — and I look forward to the friendships, stories, and experiences that come from being part of this community.

— John (and Sarah)

welcome!

good choice with the 182 and bonanza. If you were going mooney shopping you would have to put that dog on a diet !