Hi everyone,

This is my first post, so please grade it accordingly.

I am patiently awaiting the call from my mechanic that it is time to pick up my FIRST plane and bring 'er home. She's a '62 Deb that is getting some work done in Washington before the flight down to KFUL in Orange County, CA. I am hoping to have her home around the 20th, or thereabouts... weather permitting. I'll post a decent picture as soon as I get her home.

I'm a fairly new, novice pilot (160 hours in 5 years). I've been renting C-172's and Warriors, and decided it was time to take the leap and find out how much flying REALLY costs .

After lurking around BeechTalk and a few other sites and test flying a few different models, I bit the bullet and decided to (as was eloquently stated somewhere) "get my second plane first". I don't have a High Performance or Complex sign-off in the book yet, and I plan on working on my Instrument training after getting comfortable with the Deb.

I appreciate ALL of the great info that BeechTalk has supplied over the past few months, and I look forward to joining the fray whenever I have a question or some observation that may help.

- Eric

Eric

Congratulations and Welcome to BT. I like your plan to familiarize yourself with your Deb and then work on your IR. Keep us posted on your progrss and send some pictures of your beautiful bird.



Chris

Welcome Eric - best year/combination Beechcraft

Maybe you can join us for lunch for the April fly-in: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=43995

Welcome aboard Eric! I wanted to agree with Alejandro about the best year/combo comment, but then I realized he wasn't talking about a '49 V-tail! Your bird is pretty, even with the extra junk in tha trunk. I hope you enjoy the site as much as I have. It's a fantastic resource.

Cheers,
Tim

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome.

I'll use this post to answer the group...

Chris: pics from a few years ago found online
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled/Beech-B33-Debonair/1372005/L/&tbl=&photo_nr=2&sok=&sort=&prev_id=1372006&next_id=1372004
http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/234061.html
She looks pretty much the same, sans the curtains and bird remnants on the vertical stabilizer

Alejandro: I fully intend to make it to the fly-in with my wife. I just need to get the insurance requirements behind me (20 hrs dual w/5 inst., 25 T/O, 5 hrs solo), and a decent VFR day. I'll keep you posted as to my progress.... once it starts.

Tim: '49 V-tail .... in my DREAMS!! You are a lucky man, sir.

Thanks again,
Eric

Eric,

Welcome and congratulations. I am in and out of Fullerton on a fairly regular basis, nice field.

Sorry that Alejandro is giving you bad information. He is usually really honest and reliable, but everyone knows that Beechcraft reached the pinnacle of achievement, elegance, and performance in 1974 - you got my back here, right Max?

Nice post and nice pics.

Good luck with the new bird.

-MO

Welcome to both Eric and Arlen

Eric, I used to co-own a 62 Deb N1751G, must have been born about the same time as yours.

Arlen, I currently fly N34AS...any significance to the "7" in N7AS?

Congratulations Eric
I have a similar story, had 300 hours in Pipers and Cessna, bought a '65 Deb about 6 years back. Loved every minute of it. I flew a friends Cherokee a couple of years after, it was like getting out of my nic 7 series BMW and into his VW Beetle.
Hang around here, it will help you immensely.
Happy journey

I'm only 2 months behind...

Welcome to Beech ownership. You'll love the Deb and you'll be reminded that it's not a Bonanza every time at the fuel pump

N1747G is exactly 10 Serials newer than our N1714G prob built the same month.

Welcome Eric...
Bought my J35 when I had 80hrs TT after a friend flew out from Santa Monica,Ca. picked me up in Lake Havasu,Az. and flew to Aspen then on to Witcha,Ks for a tour of the factory with the WBS group. Told me ...Tim , a Bonanza is what you need ...15 yrs later am still thanking Dave and his F33A . Lots of info here Eric...you will so enjoy.
Tim

Similar stories from across the globe, I had about 300hrs, I was almost going to buy a Tobago. My logic was, newer airplane, less maintenance, good ergonomics etc. A friend of mine who owned a Debonair came to visit, she said, are you sure, I know of a beautiful Deb. for sale, I think you may be happier with it....she was right. Love it more and more.