Hello,

Looking to sell my Archer II and move up to an a-36 , have owned a few Pipers, no Beech's yet, fly out KLQK , prior Arrow III owner. Lots of time right seat of pristine f-33

thanks.
d

Welcome Doug,

You will not be the only person to move to the Bonanza from the Piper.

Suggestions:

1. Define where you are going to go with your Bonanza. IE, trip destinations, load requirements, etc.

2. If you are not IFR rated, make that a priority. I routinely fly my Bonanza from Wisconsin to the West Coast, Texas and Florida. In other words, with the Bonanza you will find that you will encounter multiple different weather systems on one trip.

3. Be prepared to own the airplane for many many years. I have owned mine for 27 years. In other words, the Bonanza is such a good airplane that you will not want to get rid of it, but rather improve it.

4. Find other Bonanza owners in your area and talk with them. Even though you are looking at an A36, you will find that there are multiple variations of this model

5. Locate an instructor who is Bonanza knowledgeable. Bonanza specific training has reduced the number of accidents because the pilots were properly educated with regards to the flying characteristics of the Bonanza. It is not that the Bonanza is tricky to fly, but there are some flight aspects of the Bonanza that can definitely hurt you.

6. Buy what you can afford, but don't worry about not having all of the bells and whistles now. They can easily be added later, However, I would definitely require the following; 1) A functioning autopilot. 2. Garmin 430W. Not just an IFR approved GPS, but at a minimum the 430W. 3. GAMI injectors 4. Multiprobe EGT/CHT such as the Insight 610 or the JPI equivalent.

A fellow at my home base just bought a Bonanza whose engine is about 100 over TPO. Oil analysis is great. Filter exam is great, Bore scope is good. So, he will continue to fly it for a number of years before he does anything to it.

If the airplane does not have a multiprobe EGT/CHT, that should be one of the first things you add.

7. The pretty things (interior, etc) are easily changed, improved. I have used Airtex, for my seats twice. So don't get hung up on that stuff

8. Take the course offered by APS (one of the sponsors of this site). It will give you fantastic insight into the proper management of the Continental engine.

9. Make certain that the airplane you are looking at has had a spar inspection within the previous 100 hours (must be done every 500 hours).

10 Have fun with your A36 when you get it.

Tom

Thanks Tom,

I am looking forward to moving up to the A36, your suggestions are well noted. I have found a nice one at my local airport. an '81 model , loaded up nice the only drawback I see , which may not be one at all is the 0-520 and I am not sure about the Century III Autopilot, will have to get some input about these items....the rest of the plane is very nice, even has air and a glass panel
thanks for your knowledge and support.
d

Welcome aboard Douglas!

You have some shopping to do, and really fun shopping it is.
When I moved to brand "B" from brand "P" I really was wowed with the design and the speed of course. They are real travelling machines.

Welcome Doug;

I did exactly what you are about to do: I had an Archer II and moved up to 1980 A36. I never regretted my decision. I have recently moved up to different Bonanza, my last plane (I think).

You will get lots of advice here. All BT members are very helpful when it comes to spending a new member's money. The basic message will be that you CAN NOT go wrong with an A36. There are lots of great buys on the market. As mentioned earlier, make a list of priorities before you make the final decision.

I think a 1979-1983 A36 is an excellent choice. It has excellent useful load. It will have a single yoke. I would highly recommend picking a plane with IO-550; IO-520 is not bad at all (my new plane has TSIO 520) but the IO-550 is an amazing engine, especially when mated with GAMI injectors and a good engine analyzer. Avionics: take your pick. You can always embellish it as you wish (ask me how I know).

If you have specific questions, please PM (private message) me. I would be happy to share my limited knowledge that I have gained over the past 4 years of Bonanza ownership.

Yes have some shopping to do, hopefully I'll find the right bird soon. Patience is a virtue and I am trying to display some....

Hoping someone here will point me in the right direction......

Welcome to BT Doug,

We have property on Lake Keowee and fly into LQK regularly. Tell Skeets, Ted and Trad we say "Hey"!

Jon

The Century III, if well maintained, is a nice autopilot. The IO-520 engine wouldn't stop me from buying the airplane even if you think you'll need (or want) an IO-550 down the road, because you can perform this "engine upgrade" at the next engine overhaul for fairly little additional cost.

Good luck for your search!

- Martin

P.S.: I stepped up from a Piper Arrow to an A36, and I don't want to go back.

I learned to fly at PTK , and lived in Michigan most my life, I live on Lake Keowee and build homes in the Cliffs Communities , come say hello......

my web ads is build keowee dot com

[quote=

P.S.: I stepped up from a Piper Arrow to an A36, and I don't want to go back.[/quote]

I have over 1000 hours in an Arrow, loved it, but want to move up....