Been flying since '85;- Cessnas', Mooney Ovation and Aerostar 700. Been spoiled with 250 kts @ FL 23, but at a very, very high price tag per hr. Now finding myself with a regular 700 nm mission with a 2,300' pasture at one end. Always liked Bonanza's and now I'm in the learning curve to find out if an A-36 or BT-36 will fit this profile and be my next steed. I'm hoping to squeeze 170-175 kts TAS and go non-stop so I don't get the itch to look at twins again. So far, I'm impressed with what I've learned and am looking forward to learning more from the experienced here.

Fly safe... Jerry

Welcome Jerry. Look in the Aircraft for sale forum. Several nice planes listed there that should fit your bill nicely!

How about a p210?

Welcome aboard Jerry!

Hi Jerry -

Welcome to BT.

I fly my NA A36 from Utah to the Ozarks with regularity. Our strip is 2000' - no troubles getting in or out.

-MO

Jerry,

Welcome to BT. We do have a tradition of including pics on the intro.
As for the requirements, if willing to fly in the upper teens while wearing O2 a TN version should be able to meet the mission without a problem.
I am sure some of the more knowledgeable here will step in with some details.

Tim

Jerry.........welcome to BT........vast amount of knowledge here.....and easy to tap!!!

Thanks for the greetings and tips gentlemen! I have been wandering around the different boards for a while, but am now much more focused on getting "back in the saddle" in a new to me A-36, as I think it can handle the grass well and I'm hoping the short field length too (it also helps to get some real estate finally sold!).

I really only have 1950+ ft of grass to the fence, then its pretty clear out another 400-500 ft beyond before the tree line, for a total of maybe 2400 ft. I'm thinking at least 300 hp, TN or full turbo should get me up pretty quickly with mid-weight loadings in the early mornings for a good DA.

Any thoughts from those with experience in type on grass? I much rather be safe with a good margin for error, than sorry....

Thanks, Jerry
PS: I'll post some of the 44 gal/hr Aerostar pics in the next post....

Mark, I presume your strip is pasture grass (w/o cows!),- summer departures ok?
I'm under the Salem MOA...
Jerry

First thing I would suggest is going to the local paved strip and practicing takeoffs. See what you and your plane do on pavement. A track logging app like CloudAhoy or foreflight should be able to provide pretty good data about your ground roll and distance to X height. Speaking of X, are you able to measure the tree height at you strip? This data should give you a good idea

There is a long thread about taking a bonanza into a 1600 foot grass strip with obstacles that discusses how to fly a bonanza off short strips. Key point is that leaving flaps and gear down until clearing obstacles is likely the best technique. Do you have access to a long, unobstructed grass strip for practice? H49 outside of st louis is a good option if there is nothing closer.

Good ideas Charles. I had planned to practice, practice, practice until I was very comfortable with my consistency and technique in the new ship. I had no idea there was an app to help measure roll distance, etc. I was going to put my kids to work on the ground to observe and measure on a grass strip somewhere that had more wiggle room... They say there is an app for everything and now I believe it! Trees are 50-60 ft tall at approx. 2400 ft., so that's the hard ruler of altitude that I have to get above.
I have a lot of time in other HP small aircraft, but will still get formal in-type training when I take delivery of my 1st A-36, including an emphasis on short/soft field work.
I'm excited. I have always wanted to land at my home front (bucket list) and now have the opportunity to do just that. Of course, I still have to keep it safe.
Thanks for the FYI on the H49 grass strip outside of St Louis.
Are you near the Ozark area?
Jerry

To my knowledge there are no specific landing distance apps - though it would be a great addition. What I would suggest is using an app that will make a GPS plot of your takeoffs and landings and then manually dig out the data. Sitting your kids on the side of the strip would work fine too!

I lived in St. Louis for 10 years and was in a C120 club based at Sackman (H49.) Only issue there is if it's wet. Taking off to the south you have 3400 feet to clear power lines that aren't too high and taking off to the north you have at least a mile before any significant obstruction.

Another strip that's nice is the Ste Genevieive strip. It's only 1600 feet but has good clear approach paths on both ends. I flew into it solo in the 120 - can't speak to using the Bo there.

You are right about the wet grass... A while back I did practice work on a 1500 ft grass strip down in south Florida in a Mooney. Flat for miles on both ends and a real confidence builder. no issues getting in or out.

Thanks for the tips my friend. Breakfast (or beer) on me.
Jerry

Some pics from my Aerostar 700, N21T...

Very nice!
Thanks for posting.