I'm a recent member but have been flying a 1947 Bonanza for over eight years. It has been the favorite of the fifteen or so aircraft that I have either owned or been rated in as PIC. This includes military jets and helicopters. In my opinion, Walter Beech got it right in creating one of the world's great planes! By way of introduction, I flew for the Marines as much as they would let me for twenty years or so. I was assigned helicopters out of primary flight training and went on to fly the CH-46 for the next five years or so. Returning from Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1991, I applied for a jet transition training. All the stars were aligned by virtue of an airline hiring boom having stripped the ranks of many young jet pilots, so I went back to flight school for the Navy intermediate and advanced jet course. Low and behold what was supposed to be a Helo to Harrier transition turned into a seat flying the EA-6B. Not what was expected or wanted frankly, but as they say, the needs of the Marine Corps determined my destiny. I flew the Prowler on and off for the rest of my time in the Corps with inevitable desk jobs interrupting along the way. Former military pilots know what I mean here...

Along the way, I got started in private flying by teaming up with a Marine pal to buy a C-172. I distinctly recall the old Skyhawk straining to give me 500 fpm at 80mph climbing out of Beeville, TX on a warm summer morning. I knew that this was no way to go through life...On the field at Beeville, I took note of an older gentlemen flying what looked like a hotrod to me. It turned out to be an RV-4. I managed to introduce myself and became friends with owner Bob Graves, a retired Navy pilot. Bob had flown everything from early jets to DC-3s. It was my pleasure to know him for many years. Back to flying, one flight in the RV showed me what the RV-grin was all about. I looked over Bob's shoulder before he got into aerobatics and saw 160 knots indicated while straight and level. He then did a few loops and rolls before landing at Lake Arrowhead and introducing me to the builder and several other RV-ers. I was hooked on the experimentals for years after. I later owned a Rutan Vari-eze, T-18, a Glasair I, Glasair III, and RV-4.

Following my stint flying the Glasair III, N-111BH, which was built by the late great Bob Herendeen, I decided I wanted more room and comfort. I went to a turbo Comanche 250, then finally to the Bonanza. In my opinion, the Bonanza beats them all in terms of comfort, and flying qualities, if not outright performance. It is without doubt a great bird as I know you all agree.

Thanks for the invitation to spill my guts, and I look forward to meeting you here on digits and in person if/when the opportunity arises.

cheers,

Scott Wiggins

Welcome Scott - Believe we met at 129 when you transitioned or at least your name sounds familiar!

Pugs

Awesome introduction sir! Thanks for your service too.

Warren G

Great way to enter the party...welcome aboard Scott...Thank you for your service!!!

Um, guys... Pics???