Yes, I said Mooney... but I need 6 seats, and a TBM is out of my range! So hello Bonanza!!!

I am currently in the market for a 36 Bonanza:

1968-1978 ballpark years
$150,000 price range
Minimal of a 530W
Autopilot (I don't have one now, yeah, looking forward to that!)
tip tanks (really just for the 1300lb useful load)
GAMIjectors (not that big a deal as I live in Ada, OK)
550 engine

And that is about all I know about the Bo. So in addition to... know anyone wanting to part with the above bird?

What pitfalls are there with the 36s? I have already had a lot of people tell me I want the 550 engine, but does anyone else have any advice, things I need to look out for, or places I should look?
How about resources? I have flown Mooney's for 10 years, so have W&B spreadsheets, model differences, techniques, and all kinds of things like that. Tips on where to find such things on the 36?

Thanks, and I look forward to my future life in the Beech world!

Tre'

Hi Tre,

Former Mooney owner here. Do you need six seats, or do you need more than four seats? I ask because if you need to fly with six people, a Bonanza will be pretty range limited, and baggage space will be virtually nil.

I have a '78 with a 550, and love it. But no tip tanks. My useful is 1172 pounds. I have three kids, so one seat came out and that's where our baggage goes. You can buy an extended baggage hold retrofit kit for about $7K installed, but I haven't done that yet.

You'll be hard pressed to get an A36 with a 550 and tip tanks for $150K, but it can be done. If I had to do it over again, I would have held out for an A36 with the FTA air conditioning system.

May sound strange, but one of my favorite features of the A36 is the pair of barn doors making access to the back so easy. Same arrangement on the B58 Barons.

Hi Tre and welcome to BT. Enjoy the shopping, the next perfect plane for you is out there!

6 seats... really 5 now, but we are hoping for 6 soon. And some of the passengers are kids, so that helps a lot with the weight!

The AC is something that we have talked about... sure would be nice in the Oklahoma summers!!! But weight is important, so likely will pass. Maybe in 5 years some things (mostly money) and I will trade up. (Yes, this is likely to be a 5 year airplane for me... but we will see)

The big back seats are something I am very much looking froward to for several reasons.

Welcome. I came down a very similar path. 20 years flying M20Fs to the Bonanza. I chose the 33 but not that much difference with the 36.

I put together my transition thoughts that you may find helpful.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=79771

Join ABS and you can get the POH online and a ton of support. Find a Bonanza specific shop and then enjoy the ride.

That list at that price is going to have some significant compromises - high time engine and older cosmetics probably. Or a 530W in an otherwise decrepit panel with an FCS-810.

I'd suggest $200K or get an early (read light) model with 74 gallons/520 that will get you significant useful load and better panel/cosmetics

If you want big back seats: viewtopic.php?f=43&t=139160

[/quote]
I'd suggest $200K or get an early (read light) model with 74 gallons/520 that will get you significant useful load and better panel/cosmetics[/quote]

I have really looked at that... that list may be a pipe dream... and I found my perfect plane, for $200k... still trying to talk the wife into the extra $50k

I may be looking at doing something less now, knowing I will update in a few years. I am also thinking a high time engine may be perfect... enough to get me 3-5 years, and then I can pull her a few hangers down and let GAMI stick one of their fire breathers under the cowl. We will see.

Real world question: what is the actual life of the Bo engines? The IO-360 in my Mooney has a 2000h TBO, but will last well beyond that. It is a bullet proof engine. Is a 1800h engine run out totally on a Bo?

That seems like an impossible question to answer. So many variables to consider like:

1. frequency of use
2. cylinder integrity (valve issues)
3. method of operation
4. quality of the initial overhaul/build

But a big bore Continental isn't going be as "bullet proof" as the Lyc 200hp. Expect more maintenance.

I'd suggest $200K or get an early (read light) model with 74 gallons/520 that will get you significant useful load and better panel/cosmetics[/quote]

I have really looked at that... that list may be a pipe dream... and I found my perfect plane, for $200k... still trying to talk the wife into the extra $50k

I may be looking at doing something less now, knowing I will update in a few years. I am also thinking a high time engine may be perfect... enough to get me 3-5 years, and then I can pull her a few hangers down and let GAMI stick one of their fire breathers under the cowl. We will see.

Real world question: what is the actual life of the Bo engines? The IO-360 in my Mooney has a 2000h TBO, but will last well beyond that. It is a bullet proof engine. Is a 1800h engine run out totally on a Bo?[/quote]

Hi Tre and welcome to BT.

For a real 6 seater and lifting 1300# with 285 or 300HP, I'd sure feel better about lifting those 1300# with 520HP or 570HP (and 260HP if one 260HP broke). Just because the paperwork says 1300# useful load, doesn't mean it's going to be an inspiring experience.

With your budget you can get change back from your bucks by looking at stepping into a B, C, D or E55 series and lift about 1800#. Sure, you've got to pay as you go for fuel and maintenance but you will have a much more capable steed for your mission's weight class and engine and system redundancy out the wazoo

Use the reduced acquisition spend to spiff up the Baron and pay for gas and insurance and maintenance for several years???????????

Just a thought on addressing your mission from a Baron driver's perspective

Mike

If you want big back seats: viewtopic.php?f=43&t=139160

Me:

M20C
M20F
M20J
M20K
M20J (again)
BE50

Makes more sense than you think!

Highly variable. People run the big continentals well over TBO. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

I think the idea of a B55 (or even 58) is an excellent one. You will be able to get the items on your list for $100. Fly it at bonanza speeds and the costs will not be dramatically different. And yes, you can handle a Baron just fine

This is a awesome post!

To wit:

viewtopic.php?f=43&t=139275&view=unread#unread