Neal, I see Dick almost daily and I have helped him on the Polen Special when I have time. We trade use of our respective special equipment, he is a great guy and we miss his Dad "Gene" who recently passed away, he was a long time ABS'er. Don

Dave
How have you found the Vortex Generators?
Did you notice a marked difference in the aircraft handling after installation?

John,

I did not do any careful flight analysis before and after the VG installation, but believe they are well worth the cost for improved handling at low speeds. Excellent control down to very low speed. A delightful control feel.

A friend of mine installed them on his Cessna 182 (maybe not too relevant) and reported a dramatic improvement. Slop in the controls before which he thought was probably some play in the linkage somehow, but after the VG installation he reported no slop, much more precise control.

I recommend them.

Hey folks,

My name is Mark Gricewich. I live in Bridgeport, West "by God" Virginia. I stumbled onto BT a few months ago and have become an addict. Great site. I currently own my 1st and 2nd Bo.

I became interested in flying at a young age; I had the opportunity to accompany my father on an airliner on a business trip to California when I was like 7 years old. Wow I was hooked. For the next few years my good friend Ray and I would ride our bicycles to KCKB in Bridgeport and just hang out time we got a chance. We would get to catch a plane ride now and then, and we just dreamed of being able to fly someday. We both began training in High School, and I completed my private check ride my freshman year of college.

I have owned 4 airplanes; as you know the Bo is an awesome airplane and spoils you from considering any other type.

I bought the 1989 B36TC July of 2009. This airplane has been ideal for my mission. It has a little over 1,000 hours TT and a little over 100 hours on a factory new TSIO520. I feel it is nearly a new airplane. When I fly for business it is usually 1-2 people. My wife Leeann and I have 6 children. So when we use the airplane for family, we sometimes use all the seats. She likes the large rear door, and she and I both love the cold A/C. She encouraged me to get the B36TC for those reasons. Boy, isnt that lucky.


The B36TC is replacing a 1987 F33A. We only have room for one in the hangar. The F33A is currently for sale. Here is a link to the listing.
http://www.courtesyaircraft.com/Current ... 20Spec.htm

I am a motorcycle/ATV dealer(Honda, Yamaha and Polaris). I have been riding and racing motorcycles since I was 7 years old. My boys and I still race off road motorcycles quite often. I feel very fortunate that I get to pursue my two loves of airplanes and motorcycles. If I had to make a choice between the two, it would be a very difficult decision.

Here are some pics.

Welcome to B/T Mark. Great looking Aircraft. Many moons ago I raced (Moto) which is probably why it sounds like I am breaking sticks when I get up in the morning. My children hobby at it. My daughter likes "track day" (asphalt) at the various tracks. We have been to VIR, Talladega and somewhere in Birmingham. She has a SV 650. Welcome again.

Don, so sorry to hear that Gene passed. Dick alluded to his bad health in our last email exchange. I can still remember when I was 17 and I rode along with Gene and Dick up here in the NY area on one of their formation group flights. Dick was the Chief Pilot of the NYC domicile for AA at the time and Gene took me in 8135R, their V35, while Dick rode with another gentleman in his Bonanza. It was heaven...to be flying formation with 2 other Bonanzas with such incredible aviators.

Dick became a mentor to me over the years and I'd stop in at Pecan Plantation whenever I was passing through TX in a small plane or I would see him at Oshkosh. I always hoped to fly over at AA with him but things didn't work out as planned and he is now retired and I work for Continental. Next time I'm passing through maybe we can all get together. There isn't a more consummate professional than Dick. I'll forever look up to him and the way he does things when it comes to airplanes. I wish I had 1% of his engineering/mechanical knowledge!

-Neal

Greetings all,

I'm new to the forums, C-182 owner now but on the fence looking at bo's.

I've worked in aviation through the military now for over 38 years, but only been a pilot for the past 3 1/2 years and now have about 380 hours. I started as a technician on ATC systems but somehow the military believes if you can fix a radio or radar it doesn't matter what it's use. I moved from the technical field to operations and training later in my career and then after retirement ended up as a contractor working with the same people I'd been with for the 30 years I was in the military. For the past year, I've been working with Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

Currently, I'm overseas for maybe another month then returning to the USA to work in systems development. Once I'm back I plan to get out and about to do some serious looking.

I do have a ton of questions, you hear things and don't know the ground truth until you start cross-checking with the owners. Issues I've heard are on the w/b parameters mostly. But if you all have "gotchas" I should be aware of, I'd love to hear of them. I fly a lot out of north Alabama to Texas, Florida, Kansas areas, plus Oshkosh with the Cessna arrival in 2008 but intend even further travel next year to include Oshkosh again.

Prequisite photo included, but it ain't a bo!

If I had a budget, I wouldn't be able to afford a plane in the first place.

What I'd really like to be able to afford is....

To John Conyers,

Luckily there aren't many "gotchas" when selecting a Bonanza. Mostly boils down to your budget, I think. If one has been well maintained you will be in good shape.

Matt,

Thanks for checking in. I bet I have more hours polishing on your plane than you will have flying in the next few months. I grew up in that plane.

My father is the one who restored it, Denny has certainly been good to it as well - he added the 550. There was another owner for a year or so between Denny and Dad. I would love to see some pics. Dad is a member here as well but he is a little ... well ... shy.

You actually saved us some money. We have always thought it would be great to have "Zero-Romeo" back in the family. If you are ever in the neighborhood give me a shout - you having that airplane makes us family.

Congratulations! If you ever decide it is time to move on, I want an option on her.

Thanks again,

-MO

Hi Mark,

You're welcome to come by KEUL and fly the plane anytime you want. That's always my standing offer for any plane that I buy (and that's been well-maintained, and that I love...two important conditions). As it is for Denny.

I'll be passing through Provo a lot over the next few years, I suspect. It's a good bladder stop for my wife and 2 girls (not me, of course) on our way to visit my parents in Santa Fe.

Matt

Wow,

I'm overwhelmed with all the nice folks that have come to the list with tons of experience, and some pretty nice planes.

We have a great meeting place here....

Matt,

I have an airport car for you that is almost always here. Come anytime, you are welcome to it - it's fun ... ask Max.

As for the offer on flying your plane - serious? I may just have to swing up there next time dad is in town and take you up on it. In the very least, we would love to see her again. It has been a long time since I have been out to the hangar at KDVT (Deer Valley in PHX).

Great memories in that plane - let me share one.

I was just young maybe 11 or 12 and we were flying back from Missouri to Phoenix. I had to go pee before we left but was holding it to the last second so I wouldn't have to go during the LONG flight back home.

In the hustle and bustle of loading the plane and getting situated I forgot and I found myself really having too go just as we took off. I was then afraid or too embarrassed to say anything as I knew in my mind that stopping was a "big deal".

Dad always made us take our shoes off and treat "Zero Romeo" with the greatest of care as he had recently completed her detailed restoration which included tip tanks, paint, panel, interior, and motor.

Well, with an aching bladder the pressure was on. An accident or vomit were completely out of the question. I held it through Oklahoma, Texas, and somewhere in New Mexico I had lost all my shame and begged dad to stop so that I could "GO". He must have seen the pain in my eyes because we stopped at some ghost town of an airport and I jumped out with my brother and let it fly... the longest pee of my life. I have a good dad.

Hey Dad it is your turn. Tell the story about when you bought the plane and took off from Wickenburg.

-MO

Neal, I'll tell Dick we talked, he still has the V35 (just put in a new Garmin 530). Yes, Dick has a great engineering mind, I grew up in my Dad's tool and die shop and every time I go to Dick's hangar to borrow the use of mill, lathe, shear, brake, etc. he always has a lesson to give. He still has young people going through his Dennis Polen Foundation where he teaches them the craft of manufacturing. Right now they are bulding a new extended front cowling for the Polen. Stop in if you're ever down this way. Regards, Don

Umm, I believe we have just witnessed man heaven