Have been flying Grumman Tigers for 10 years, but am looking at greater useful load and more speed. My Tiger panel needs a facelift, and the expense starts to look like I would be better off making the jump. I read the Grumman Gang for almost a year before buying, and have been pretty pleased about learning the ins and outs of the type - it kept me out of trouble in the air and financially. My typical mission would be from Northern VA to Central Florida. I do this now in two hops cruising 130kts with a fuel stop after 3 hours. Total time is typically 5.5 to 6 hours in the air. Would like more comfort, longer legs, better speed. Looking for a good fit in the $150-175k range. No hurry. Learning and shopping.

PETE

Peter,
Welcome. You are in the right place for learning first before you buy. This place is great for that.

At that price point, you can comfortably expect a fine A36. Probably a nice condition late 70s model with low/mid engine times and a decent Garmin IFR package and autopilot. You will trade up or down for more avionics vs. more engine times etc of course.

You can expect 160 knots at about 12 or so GPM LOP. 74 useable gallons. Useful load around 1300.

Again,,, good on ya for learning and reading first. Then, the biggest advice is a good prebuy by someone that knows Beech Bonanzas.

Also good is to get the Larry Ball Bonanza books. Describes each model year and what changes took place in that model year. Good for narrowing your search to whats important to you.

Where are you located?

good luck,
Mike

Peter

Welcome to BT !!!!!! You will find lots of resources here. The A36 is a great plane and you should have no problem finding one in that price point. I know of a few if you want to PM me. Again welcome and good luck in your search.

I had many years in the Grumman, member of the Grumman gang and used to attend all the conventions. I can assure you of this, they are very different airplanes. There are times I miss the sportiness of the Grumman. It was a fun plane to fly, think of the bonanza as a station wagon or maybe a sporty suv in comparison. The bonanza is superior for travel, load, and, in particular, instrument flying. I also found my Grumman brothers warning me about annuals, insurance and the like....none of it has proven to be true. The insurance was double but only for two years, after that it was the same.

My advice keep both! The Grumman for fun short hops, but the bonanza for everything else. The other thing and many will agree or not, but IMHO the tigers are holding their value better over the past years than bonanzas. I considered going back as I miss them a lot, but at the end of the day, the hangar and all the other fixed costs are the same.

Leesburg, VA, just inside the western edge of the SFRA, and under Dulles (IAD) bravo.

Thanks to all for the warm welcome.

PETE

Peter,

If you go to the prefernces and under your profile can insert your location. So it shows up on the side so people do not forget.
I have spent a lot time in Leesburg airport, you picked a nice airport. Only question will be with it down to a single FBO will the gas prices go up?

Welcome to BT.

Tim

Peter......jump on that "73" model on PeddlersTalk .. ....great looking A36.