BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 20 Nov 2018, 18:43

I am a proud lifer of Wichita, KS the Air Capital of the world. Grew up about a mile and a half from Beechcraft. In the late forties/early fifties my mom was an artist at Beech and painted the Hawaiian islands on the "Waikiki Beach" now residing at the Smithsonian. I wanted to fly for as long as I can remember. Everytime we would drive by Beech I would beg my dad to buy one of the "little" Musketeers. Of course he didn't but I could always dream! I obtained my PPL at Love field in the late 70s while attending college and thereafter earned my Multi (in a day back when you could do that lol) Instrument, Rotorcraft, and Commercial.

My first plane was a Piper Turbo Arrow, purchased new at the dawn of the first oil boom in the early 80s. When oil crashed in the mid 80s the Arrow went away after which time I was able to rent a friends V35A which I flew extensively including trips to California and Florida. What a great plane! As the oil business recovered I purchased a 180 Comanche then moved up to a Twin Comanche and Turbo Aztec. Pipers?????

In the oil crash of the late 90s I sold my Aztec and exited the oil business as my day job but was fortunate to stumble into my favorite career. In 1997, I became the Cessna Single Engine Dealer (CSTAR) for Kansas and Nebraska when piston production resumed in Independence, KS. Along with the new Cessnas we bought and sold everything from 150s to Lear Jets. I met fabulous people and had the good fortune to be able to deliver all kinds of airplanes to every corner of the country. And I made money doing it! We also had a Cessna Pilot Center and I made many great friends who, after earning their license, went on to fly and buy airplanes. Somewhere in there I purchased a 1984 Piper Malibu (another Piper!) personally and yes the folks at Cessna, who were just across town, noticed! They sure gave me the business about it but frankly if the P210 was half the plane the Malibu is I would have bought one.

Of course most good things come to an end and with the Beech/Cessna merger, Cessna eliminated their dealerships and started selling factory direct. In addition, my business partner became ill and eventually succumbed to Cancer. It was time to move on and about this time the operating partner of an automotive group I am a part of, decided to retire. Well I drew the short straw and am now running that. For about 6 years I flew from Wichita to Dallas nearly every week attending auto auctions in my trusty Malibu. Sure got spoiled being pressurized, deiced, air conditioned, etc.. Eventually I trained a guy on car buying and the Malibu was doing a lot of sitting. After ten years of very rewarding (but expensive) ownership I sold her to a great guy in New Orleans.

So now I am looking for something just to knock around in on a nice day, stay instrument current, see the kids, etc.. A 520/550 powered 35 is high on the list, I really enjoyed and appreciated the V35A I flew back in 80s and all of the variations I flew when I was buying and selling airplanes. Just a great all around plane for the money. In addition, the knowledge base by the likes of Beech Talk and technical support by ABS is second to none. And oh by the way they, are still making em brand new about a mile and a half from my house!