Hi Everybody. I'm doing a prebuy Monday on a 1955 V-Tail with an E225 electric prop. Had a couple of questions for you V-Tail guru's if y'all can share some words of wisdom for a rookie V-Tail owner
1. Where can I buy Lew Gages book?
2. Anything I should look for in particular on the V-Tails on the prebuy?
3. What do you veteran V-Tail drivers do for takeoff-climb procedures. I noticed a 1
min limit on WOT for takeoff. Anything unique to transition and trim for cruise?
I've been reading that a lot of guys close the cowl flaps and climb at 120kts. Is
there enough airflow for cooling under the climb load at that speed?
My finace and I are very excited about having a V-Tail in the family, and I appreciate any helpful advice
Thanks in advance- JOHN

Forgot to mention- The airplane is now, and has been in the desert in Thermal CA for 12 years. Assuming the prebuy is unremarkable, we'll fly her back to Houston next week

John,

Welcome to BT! I'm sure the vintage v-tail folks will be along shortly with answers to your questions, but for starters, Gage's book is available here: https://store.bonanza.org/store/items/detail/item/75

Drew

Congrats on the V-tail if you get her. Id be interested in having a look and I can show you the 201 as well. We are based at LVJ. Byron

Yeah, 1 minute limit. A friend of mine flew a D35 from Honolulu with the planned destination of Oshkosh during the show. Due to adverse winds he decided to land in Salt Lake City. He used drop tanks from the F4 Phantom as his tip tanks, still has them in his hangar here in Montana. He didn't want to taxi with that much fuel so he gassed up while sitting in position on the runway. That 1 minute limit? He flew for a little over 3 hours wide open, most of that at 50 AGL as that's as high as it would climb. Oh yeah, no autopilot either. The stories of where he's gone with his Bonanzas are fantastic.

Congratulations John and welcome to BT.

I have a '50 B model with the 205 Hp version of the same engine. Essentially the same, but rated to cruise at a lower rpm. I rotate at 80mph, then lower the nose for a 90mph climb to 500 ft or so. Gear up as usual....maintaining rpm limits per POH. At 500 ft or so, I usually establish 120 mph, 2300 rpm cruise climb (flaps up). I leave cowl flaps open until I reach my cruise alt...usually 7 to 8k, then level off, close cowl flaps, let my speed build as I ease prop and MP to cruise setting. Watch your oil temp and CHTs during climb out. At least here in FL, I have to keep cowl flaps open during climb out to maintain temps within limits. I usually lean slightly at 4k or so, then lean accordingly once I'm in cruise.

Safe Flying,

Dave

The AOPA/ABS convention starts Thursday. You will be just a few miles east and should try to attend. In fact, I believe there will be shuttles from Thermal to the convention starting Wed. You can buy Lew's book there and have him autograph it for you at one of his seminars. There will be a high concentration of Bonanza knowledge in one spot for a few days and it will be like a kid in a candy store.

Assuming you have a Bonanza qualified mechanic (hopefully familiar with the E engine/elec prop) doing the pre buy and all the usual airworthiness issues looked at I would focus on the prop information to ensure all is in order. They need to have the pitch change bearing cleaned and greased every 250 hrs. It is critical as there are no new parts available and the used ones are becoming more scarce and expensive. Make sure the prop controls work properly in manual and auto. You will have to fly it to check out the constant speed function which could be the old style optical control or the retrofit electronic governor which is better. The condition of the pitch change motor as to when it was last overhauled and/or brushes changed is important also. It should be obvious when you look at it as to how it has been maintained. They are a great prop and many of the purists claim better than the Hartzell if maintained properly.

Good luck with the pre buy and welcome to BT.