Hi, everyone!
I don't own a Beech right now but am in the market. Not 100% sold that the Bonanza is the right plane for me, but it seems like a very solid contender so I'm here to learn more. I figure that an estimated 10 year total cost of ownership compared to total capabilities will help me identify the correct plane for me.
I currently own a very old C182 and have previously owned a M20E.
Now I'm looking for something more reliable and faster. No GA plane is all weather, nor do I expect my next one to be. But I'd like to be able to fly more often and I often can't without FIKI due to reported light ice during the climb or descent from Seattle. A turbo will help me get to altitudes that don't have ice during the winter when crossing the Cascade mountains. I expect to fly a ~100 NM flight each way weekly over the Cascades, with a ~300 NM each way flight every few months to visit in-laws, plus a ~1,300 NM each way flight about twice a year to visit my family.
Capabilities I want:
165KIAS or better (Faster is better)
FIKI (Non-FIKI ice protection is a poor second choice)
Turbo (or any other way to get to FL220 or so)
Useful load ~850# (More is better)
Range 800 miles or more (Longer is better)
I think that a Bonanza with a turbo would fit my needs well. I'm also thinking about models from other brands:
Mooney Bravo or Acclaim
Cirrus SR22 Turbo
Cessna T210
Piper PA-46
I'm a ~1,500 hour pilot with instrument, commercial, multi-engine and I'm a CFI, and this will be my third plane. I have a reasonable idea of the budget required to achieve my goals, but not enough information to know for sure which plane will really get me the most of what I want for the money I have to spend.