…and I am absolutely hooked. What a great community of enthusiasts BeechTalk is to pilots of all levels. So thank you for creating and contributing to this amazing resource!

I am a relatively new pilot (private SEL in Sept 2012) with ~110 hrs. I’ve done all of my training and flying out of West Houston (IWS) entirely on 172s with the G1000. That is, until today.

The F33C is back online at IWS and I was able to log 1.7 hrs with a few landings thrown in. It’s fast, stable, and much easier to land than anticipated. Not sure if that was due to adrenaline or the extreme VFR day! Things do happen faster with the big 550, especially with a new-to-me panel and prop & gear controls. But, I welcome this challenge.

The wife and I hope to throw ourselves into the ownership ranks in the coming months. As with my flight training, I’m in no rush and only want to keep building on safe habits. But I have my target zeroed in on a Bonanza, in large part because of BeechTalk. So if any A36 drivers in Houston have an open right seat, I’ll come bearing single malt!

Again, thanks to all. I look forward to many more posts!

Ryan

You shouldn't have any problem getting rides at IWS - a few based out of there. Watch for BT gatherings and post - I bet someone will take you along.

And, yes, the Bo is the easiest plane to land I've ever been in - wasn't a one time thing.

Max's method makes it stupid simple:

Into the pattern at 2300 & 18" puts at 120k
Abeam #s - gear dn & 15"
At 100k, full flaps and...
Turn base - trim for 90k
Turn final - trim for 80k

Have fun!

Welcome! You will quickly get used to the speeds and panel, but you shouldn't ignore the observation that things happen faster.

That includes changes in weather as you move from one air mass to another, much faster than in a C172. Because of that, most of us would recommend that you continue your training to include an instrument rating fairly soon. It's just easier to do when you're fresh off your SEL training, and it's the best insurance you can buy.

The Bonanza is a magic carpet that can take you places.

Dan

Ryan,

Welcome to BeechTalk. I cut my Bonanza teeth on the West Houston F33Cs. We even flew one to California and back before we bought our F33A.

There is an active contingent of BTers in Houston and around Texas. There will be a grand gathering at Hooks next Thursday to have lunch with BT aviation insurance guru Alejandro Galioto, and the monthly BT statewide gathering during the second week of next month.

You are welcome to come join us and we look forward to meeting you

Drew

Ryan

Welcome to BT and the Bonanza additction

Welcome to BT Ryan. Good to have another West Houston guy - I base my Twin Bo there, perhaps you've seen the big old beast lumbering about. Although it's been gone for a while getting restored.

You'll have to start joing in on the beech get-togethers. You'll get to see a lot of airplanes and talk to a lot of experienced owners, and quite a bit of fun too.

Ryan,
Welcome to BeechTalk, there is no better virtual place to be. I am at DWH with Drew and others and have an A36 & a D55 I just bought. The Texas Beech Bros are a busy group so you should try to get involved.

There is a great flying group out of IWS, Tyler, Jay Burris and others. In other words there should be no shortage of rides available.

Mark

Ryan,

Yeah, Bonanzas are great airplanes. So are C172's, and all the different flavors of PA-28 and PA-32 Cherokees. The answer to "what airplane is a good choice for me to be flying" really depends on what flying you are planning on doing, and then, what flying you actually end up doing.

You've left unstated just *why* you are flying, and what flying you hope to do in future.

At Beechtalk, you will tend to gather advice to be flying a Bonanza but unless you really have a small fortune to spend and no great need to maximize value I'd suggest cutting your PP ASEL teeth on really learning to fly that C172, or a PA-28(-181 is the sweet spot for Cherokees) as precisely as you can, working on an instrument rating with everything happening a little more slowly, and getting a couple years of experience being a fixed gear, fixed prop owner before biting off the complexity of maintaining and commanding a Bonanza.

You might actually shop for insurance before taking that search for an A36 too far; the price, and the training requirements, might give you pause. Personally, I think a PA-28-181 Archer would be a great airplane to get at ~110 hours to start building time and beginning to work on the instrument rating, not to mention deciding what the next airplane needed to be capable of. If you really need five or six seats, the fixed gear PA-32 Cherokee 6 line are great haulers.

There's no hurry to fly high or fast. Take your time. In addition, whether you end up buying a C150 or a G36, don't fall in love with any airplane until after YOUR A&P, and not an A&P who has maintained the plane in the past, does a thorough prebuy that does not give you pause. I've arranged four prebuys, and walking away from the two airplanes I didn't buy were the best decisions I've ever made in aviation.

+1 on the recommendation for the PA28-181. I belonged to a flying club in the 70's that had two of them and I flew it enough to build enough confidence to check out in a -6 260 hp and to go places. I got my instrument ticket in it too and then fortunately I moved from the area I was living in (NYC) and found another one that was available for rental. I flew it for business when working for someone else, and though about buying it when I started my own business. Fortunately I caught the Beechbug bad and wound up leasing a Musketeer Super 3 for a while before going toe Debonair to Baron route. It has been fun but dont forget for a minute that the step up from the simple fixed gear singles is almost a quantum leap in performance and cost since iit is not just the airplane but the systems and avionics that all contibute to the cost of ownership. Not complaining, just saying. Good luck getting your IR ticket. dont wast a minute flying in circles. I know that there are lots of places to go down there and much more good flying weather, but spend the time and pay the instructor to go with you as you burn holes in the sky. You wont regret it when all the VFR guys are stranded by a poor vis day and you saddle up and go through some simple haze to nice on top or 10 miles away. It is much more comfortable at 125 knots than 175 or more as your experience grows.

Have fun too

Ryan;

I flew 249wl on wednesday of last week. This airplane is a sweet ride and the new paint is fantastic. Richardo emailed me a pic from the hanger when it came back on line. One look and i knew i had to get into that Bo. Have fun.

Robert

Welcome
We need to pass out cigars, for we have another brother.
MC

Ryan,
Welcome to BT! Great to hear another aviator going Beech. I'm similar to you in that all of my time was in small 4 bangers (172 and PA28-140). I bought my F33A with less than 200 hours under my belt. A great instructor and an attitude toward safety just like you've mentioned have made my Beech experience unbelievable. I have no doubt you will experience the same.

By the way...F33C? JEALOUS!
I hope you take advantage of that baby and really put it through its paces...with a qualified instructor of course. Best of Luck with your A36 Search.

Enjoy!

Welcome to BT Ryan!!!

No doubt about it, you're hooked now.