Something about people from the East/South East being named jeff...hmmm

pictures as requested ... Baron 3085W & Piper 56228

Hi,


I just joined Beechtalk and I have a new passion in my life- my F33A N3096T.

I first flew as a 16 year old kid but never took the test for my certificate before I took off for college. Forty years later flying Microsoft flight simulator sparked me to obtain that pilot certificate I always dreamed of.

In July 07 I signed up for my first lesson. I thought it would all come back naturally but it was a challenge. I have never sweated as much as I did on my “second” solo. It was not the way I remembered my first - Forty years of aging does something to a person. I was the student of a very energetic new instructor, Aaron Komaro at KMDQ in Huntsville, AL. After reading Rod Machado’s book 3 times and Aaron's tutelage I had my certificate in October 07.

Now that I was legal to fly I felt totally unprepared to actually fly further than a nearby airport on a cloudless day. I was told the certificate is a license to learn and they are right.

I spent time flying around to local airports in a Cessna 172 and practiced landings at KMDQ. This was all it took to spark the dream of owning a plane. I was spending an excessive amount of time looking at planes on the internet. I loved the looks of the Bonanza. I did not know much about it; to me it just looked like what an airplane should be.

I struggled with the decision of buying a 182 Cessna or a HP/complex plane. I was just starting to feel comfortable in the 172 I was flying. The thought of a HP/complex seemed overwhelming. But the lines of the Bonanza had stolen my heart. I decided my path to the plane I wanted was to build time in a 182RG that was available for rent at KMDQ and obtain my IFR rating.

After 10 hours of dual I was able to solo the 182RG. Thirty hours later I started my IFR training. Emily Dover was my instructor. Emily was a young wonderful pilot with a spirit that exuded aviation. Tragically, after my first few lessons with her, she died with a student in a plane crash, flying back to KMDQ from Orlando at night.

My anxiety level for flying ratcheted up multiple notches. It shook my confidence. My psyche had to come to grips with this. I won't get all philosophical on you but I was able to move on.

I had trouble finding another IFR instructor. I found someone that has tons of experience but was very conservative. I enjoyed flying with him and learned everything I needed to know to get my IFR rating in May of 08. But it amazed me that I was able to get my IFR Rating without ever actually flying in the clouds. Again I had that feeling that I had a rating but I had a lot of work to do before I could really use it.

What counted though was that I was closer to having what I needed to get my Bo. The insurance company wanted me to have 250 hours of time with 50 in a retractable and an IFR rating. The insurance company told me I was close enough even though I did not have all of the hours. I would need 10 hours of dual training in the new plane

With the 182RG in a salvage yard I had not flow in a HP/complex for several months. I had mixed feelings about my capabilities of flying a hp/complex plane and I had no idea who would teach me.

Along the way I met Max Grogan online one night through a message board talking about Bonanzas. He was very enthusiastic and provided an overwhelming amount of knowledge.

I was amazed with Max’s sincerity and generosity from the onset. He new I had a dream but I was lost on how to reach it. He stepped in and did what it took to make my dream come true. He flew to KMDQ and took me up in his plane. Two things happened; it solidified my desire for a Bonanza and it instilled confidence in me. I was able to watch a true expert fly. Then he instructed me and let me take control of the plane. After this I really believed I could do it.

Max helped me search the internet for my Bonanza.. IN June 08 he flew me in his plane to pick up our find and brought along Barry Sanders. Barry is another stellar person that I cannot say enough good things about. Simply stated Barry is a Bonanza expert and the kind of guy you just want to hang around. He performed the prebuy and he taught me to fly my baby. I ended up in KDKX in Knoxville doing slow flight, emergency landings, instrument approaches, you name it, I did it. Within a 48 hour period I bought a plane and was signed off to fly it.

So that’s how I ended up buying my F33A. That is how my love affair with N3096T started.

Russ Simpson

Russ,

Thank you for that wonderful post. I really enjoyed reading it. Twice. If you ever get up towards the NYC area, let me know (that goes for anyone on here actually).

-Neal

Welcome to BeechTalk, Russ.

To others: Russ bought one of the nicest Bonanzas in existence.

Photos taken on the day of purchase:

http://picasaweb.google.com/kdkxbo/BonanzaF33AN3096T#

My wife Cora and I fly a 1975 F33A, which we bought last year. Former planes were a Piper Cherokee and a glider (DG-101G).
While I was mostly fine with the Cherokee my wife was pushing for a faster and more capable plane. She has much more complex hours than me but when she is in the left seat everyone assumes I am her instructor - which I am not. Actually it is far from the truth. However in feisty moments I call out loud “give me your logbook so I can sign it … " (ready to duck)

We live just south of Boston and the plane is tied down some 35 miles away in Mansfield, MA (1B9). Some pictures from plane and panel:

Welcome Christian!
Glad you finally decided to quit lurking and say something over here.
I got your message when I was in Boston. I was absolutely swamped the entire time I was there... I did eat well however. Your plane is beautiful. I sometimes miss my Cherokee, but only because of the differences. There is no doubting that the Beechcraft are renowned for a reason. This place isn't as "fiesty" as it was over at the Cherokee Chat, but it sure is a lot of fun.
Say hi to Cora for me!
P.S. Everyone, Christian's Wife is Hot!! ( not just cause she like airplanes and is a pilot either)

Y'know, it's funny-

I really like my plane, and the way she's equipped and the panel layout, but no matter how much I like it, I always see things in other planes I like better. Then, I feel almost as if I am cheating!

Russell, Christian - welcome!

That's an excellent story you told, Russell, and it also brings to mind another interesting phenomenon: You get a "feel" for who people are from their posts here and elsewhere, and at some point you begin to believe that you know them, when in reality you have never shaken their hand or seen their face. I have experienced the affirmation of this, because nearly everyone I have met in person after first becoming acquainted via the Global InterWebNetARama (mostly through PilotsofAmerica.com) have turned out to be great folks, and many have become good and true friends. I bet I'll really enjoy meeting Max, too... same deal.

Boy, I sure wish I could go flying today instead of working.

Hi I Own a 1959 travelair.Have put 700 hrs on the bird since purchase.added 430 garmin stec 30 a/p gpss steering,single piece windshield and variuos other upgrades. owned a 172 and piper arrow before travelair. Have 1750 hrs hold ATP comm multi inst..Started flying in 1969 then took a rest from 1970 -1993 then took off again. have owned since 1994.Have taken the twin to the bahamas twice sun n fun and osh.Love the room and handling of the travelair great IFR aircraft.Like going to museums Dayton,washington,NY,Charleston and various others.Usually fly twice a week cant get enough.Thanks Ron

I am Christian's wife Cora, fly with my husband our Bonanza whenever possible. Most of the time we argue who is in control, since both of us enjoy piloting the plane. However, who sits in the left seat is the pilot in command (proof is in the avatar).


We will see how feisty Christian is now that I found his posts...

Chester, thanks for the compliment. I am not sure if you expected me to read it, though?

You go girl!!! We need more estrogen on this board!!
Oh and welcome to you new guys also!

Our first husband and wife team! Cora and Christian, welcome!

If I could gloss over your (plural) good looks for a moment , I have a suggestion for you guys. I would practice letting the right seat pilot fly a lot. That includes pattern work, emergency procedures, maneuvers, and your standard VFR/IFR XCs... if you haven't done this already, it would pay huge dividends in safety having both of you 100% comfortable flying in both seats.

The other benefit is that once you've got 20 or so hours and 50 landings from the right, it'll feel very natural to be there and there'll be less fighting over who gets which seat.

Just a thought, you may have even already done it. Either way, welcome again!

Hi all, my names Simon and after many months of aviding reading every topic on this great I site I've finally managed to get round to registering... Anyway, I'm a Brit living in Montreal for the last seven years and I fly a fantastic 1981 A36 which I bought in July last year..

I bought Beulah (don't ask it was the wife's idea!) in California and had the flight of a lifetime exploring Sedona, Grand Canyon etc etc on the way back to Montreal. Beulah is pretty well equipped with King avionics, upgraded 550 and a couple of speed mods and she is absolutely perfect for our family which includes four small kids.. (having said that if anyone works out how to put a trailer or a roof rack on a Bonanza they are on to a goldmine, space is my issue not useful load!)..

My flying history is certainly not as interesting as most of you on here! I learn't to fly eight years ago in the UK and then converted across to a Canadian PPL soon after arriving and I have since added an instrument rating...

Bienvenue

Welcome Simon!

And if I may... you have impeccable taste in both make and model year of airplanes

Jeff
1981 A36 owner