My name is Bill Van Lent and I'm a Beech-Talk-aholic.....I joined BT in Feb 2009 and have been “lurking” since then
. Quite honestly, there is so much interesting conversation and valuable information, it's been difficult for me to find an appropriate place to “join the discussion”. None-the-less, I've been eavesdropping so long I feel as though I know many of the frequent participants.
The basic statistics are as follows:
Private Pilot 9-92, Instrument Pilot – 1-95, 1500 hours total time
1991-Began flying a Citabria 7-GCBC – 1994-partnered with a guy on 50% of a 1980 C182 - 1997 joined a group with 4 pilots and 2 Cherokee 6's - 1999 traded both 6's, (and a bunch of AMUs) for a sparkling new 1999 C182.. That group broke up after a few years because only 2 of the 4 pilots flew –
great deal for the the 2 of us that flew often 
- Rented C182s, Beech Sierra, Piper Lance for a couple of years until I finally purchased N777WF – 1970 F33C - CJ-28.
Aerobatic Bonanza - CJ-28 began her life certified for aerobatics, (reportedly 1 of approximately 140 built from 1968 to 1970). According to Beech historians, most of the aerobatic Bonanzas were shipped overseas as military trainers. They estimate that fewer than 12 aerobatic Bonanzas are registered today. In 1984, Beech required some modifications to the original aerobatic bonanzas in order to retain the aerobatic certificate. Unfortunately, the owner of CJ-28 at that time chose not to make those modifications. That decision stripped CJ-28 of her Aerobatic Certificate and reverted her to Utility Class. I'm actively involved in the process of obtaining the required parts to re-gain CJ-28's aerobatic certificate. Not 100% sure it can be accomplished but I've located a very knowledgeable fella and he says it can be done.
My wife's name is Teri, My son Cy is 2 years into the Army, my daughter Aly is 2 years into college at ISU and my son Cole is a freshman in high school. I own a manufacturing company, Veridian Ltd, Inc., that produces fire fighter's protective clothing and an international sales company, International EMC, Inc., that exports fire/safety/rescue equipment around the globe.
Like many of the participants of BT, I work to support my flying habit. My wife and family “play along” with my explanation that the airplane is a valuable business tool. They accompany me on some of my “business trips” and politely refrain from asking why we aren't traveling in the Beech Jets or KingAirs that we inevitably park next to
.
Beech Talk is great and I hope to begin making at least a fractional contribution in comparison to the abundant info and entertainment I've received.....Talk to ya soon!!
p.s. I'll work on some better pictures.....
