I have been flying BeechTalk for a while and have not introduced myself. My apologies to my fellow pilots. I have upgraded to a Beech Baron B55 last year after having flown a Piper Comanche 250 for 10 years. I love the Comanche and have restored her entirely to suit our family needs - An IFR machine capable of flying from Santiago to Pucon in less than 3 hours. Since the birth of my third daughter we don't fit into the Comanche any longer and a bigger airplane was sought.

I found a low time B55 (1850 h TTSN) in San Fernando that needed a new careful owner to do the same restoration job done at the Comanche and decided to buy her. Since then I have changed fuel bladders, batteries, tires, a new fuel injection system and fixed minor engine glitches, voltage regulator, EGT, fixed anti-ice system and other minor things. I still have to do avionics, interior and painting, but these more expensive tickets need to wait until the Comanche is gone.

I am amazed by the performance of the Baron and truly enjoy flying her. It is a remarkable machine with a sturdy look and docile handling. The same Santiago to Pucon trip now takes us a little less than 2 hours. Kids and wife are fascinated.

For those picture maniacs below I post a picture of the new Baron and the Comanche that needs to go. For those interested in Pipers, the Comanche has a website with more information and pictures for potential buyers: http://www.abchome.cl/comanche

Any of you flying to Santiago de Chile please let me know so I can welcome you at our flying club at SCTB.

Nice plane Fernando:

Welcome to BT.

Leigh

Bienvenido. Nice airplanes.

Fernando:

Welcome.

I know it's "Beechtalk," but I have a very warm spot for Comanches, and yours is a beautiful specimen!

I hope I can visit your country some fine day.

Fernando,
Yes, this is a group of "picture maniacs"....and now you have provided at least a temporary fix! Thanks.

Thanks Spike,

A friend always remembers me that your neighbour grass is always greener. I hope I can visit your country some fine day too. If you are faster than me, please let me know and I would be honored to help you with whatever is needed to fly south.

Fernando

Welcome Fernando.

Do you have TKS anti ice system on your Baron?

Bienvenido Fernando,
Tenemos un pequeño grupo de BT ‘s latinos en Chile, Argentina y EEUU. Somos pocos así que un miembro más hispanoparlante es una adición muy apreciada.

The Baron is indeed one sweetest flying machines ever made. I’ve been flying mine for years and can never get used to (or take for granted) the pure joy of hand flying her in and out of clouds. Enjoy your 55, she looks beautiful.

No Keith. What I fixed was the weeping propellers system. The aircraft has no surface ice protection and it might be a good future project budget allowing. As far as I could investigate TKS is the best solution for retrofitting a Baron.