Hi,

My name is Tor and I'm in Hood River, Oregon. My PPL checkride is in a week (!) and I'm narrowing my plane search. Having trained only in C-172s, I initially gravitated towards purchasing a C-182. But over the past few months I've been researching all kinds of planes.

For my mission, an S35 or V35 might just be the ideal ship. So my hope in coming to Beech Talk is to learn more about Bonanzas! I have questions - but per the sticky won't put them here.

Welcome! And congrats!!
A 182 can be a relatively and trusty first plane.
A Bonanza likely a bit more $$ the first years but a little faster and helps build your RG hours for the future.

What might your missions look like? Family?
Destinations?

Any way you cut it.. some plane is better than no plane

Mission is platform for me to do IR, CPL, CFI...and have fun doing it. Secondary is exploration travel with 1-2 passengers. Tertiary is visiting family and friends from FL to AK with 1-3 passengers. And finally, the plane must be fit for airfields like W10 on Whidbey Island, which is 2400 feet with obstacles on both ends (fairly high on the North end with trees on a hill). The S/V35 seems to fit the bill. I'm 6'2" and 215, so fit is also a factor. I have yet to even sit in one of these planes so I hope to find someone local who'd like to show off their ship.

Tor, welcome aboard and welcome to the world of aviation. Don't overlook a Mooney M20J. Whether or not it will work for you depends on how big those occasional 3 passengers are. Landing on a 2400' runway in a Mooney is no problem as long as you are on speed on final (which you should be every time you land a Mooney). 6'2" is no problem in the Mooney and neither is 215 lbs. Should also not be a problem with 3 people. However, add that 4th person and you may or may not be limited depending on how large those people are.

The Bonanza will be a little faster but will burn more gas so the Mooney will be a little more economical. I plan 160 KTAS on 10 GPH at 6500' or 7500'. A little slower but more economical up higher. I think Bonanzas are probably 170-175 KTAS but burn more like 13 GPH.

My advise would be:
When looking at Bonanzas, ...always... check CG compliance for your anticipated loading in the particular airplane you are looking at.
When looking at Mooneys, ...always... check the useful load and whether or not you can load up everything you want and still fly a reasonable distance.

Best of luck.

Bob

Tor, welcome to BT. Hope you find the right fit for your airplane needs!

I love my V35 - it's just a great airplane. Fast, lots of room for bags in the back, and yet efficient when operated lean of peak. I get 172 kts on 13 GPH. That's the same gas mileage I got in my Cherokee at 120 knots.

Be prepared to take some additional airplane specific step-up training if you go Bonanza right after you get your PPL in a 172.