BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Apr 2016, 15:41

Patrick, don't you have belts for 3 in the back sofa?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Apr 2016, 15:45

Username Protected wrote:

Patrick, don't you have belts for 3 in the back sofa?

I do but I seem to recall a placard or POH indication that it is two people for takeoff and landing. Also, seems like it would be a squeeze for three full sized adults for very long. Two adults and kid would be fine, though. Maybe I'm being too conservative.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Apr 2016, 15:47

Username Protected wrote:

[Two adults and kid would be fine, though. Maybe I'm being too conservative.

If you own the airplane the rule is that you can plow whoever you want back there so long as there is room.....only exception being is if that person is your wife...... :peace:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Apr 2016, 16:00

For the financially challenged and pay-as-you-go types (i.e. nutcases like myself) here's perhaps a diamond in the rough:

A straight 690 for sale in Germany for $95K. The straight 690's are a hybrid between the 681 and the 690A/B, in ways. Long wing like the 690A/B models, but still has the plexi alcohol windscreen (much cheaper to replace) and lower 4.2 cabin diff. In all other regards they're identical to a 690A/B. It has the permanent spar strap, which is a good mod that eliminates the recurring inspection (and cost $100K to do in the day). Engines are very close to TBO, so one would have to operate it part 91, or find some better used ones and hang on eventually. Dash 5 engines are plentiful and reasonably low cost these days.

Could be a good entry plane into turbine world, for the curious buyer. I wish I'd seen this ad 2 years ago as I would have been interested myself.

http://www.globalplanesearch.com/listing/aircraft-for-sale/Aero-Commander-690/196074

Rough calculations:

Plane: $95K
Ferry back to US: $10K
Remove aerial survey hatch and restore outer skin and interior (guesstimation): $20K
TOTAL: $125K you have a plane you can run part 91.

But let's say you hang two -5's on with say 2000hrs left on them. Roughly $30-50/hr is the going rate for exchange engines. So for another $120-160K, you have a 690 that you can run for 2000hrs. That's a pretty decent deal if you're so inclined and don't mind the hassle.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Apr 2016, 21:48

Username Protected wrote:

Patrick, don't you have belts for 3 in the back sofa?

I do but I seem to recall a placard or POH indication that it is two people for takeoff and landing. Also, seems like it would be a squeeze for three full sized adults for very long. Two adults and kid would be fine, though. Maybe I'm being too conservative.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Apr 2016, 02:08

Username Protected wrote:

You can put 3 across the couch without restriction.

So, just girth and comfort regarding proximity to others as practical restrictions... I'm not particularly wide or claustrophobic but that looks cosy. I was looking at an air charter website today and they included a "comfort passengers" figure for various aircraft types, that seems like a useful number to have.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Apr 2016, 06:21

Username Protected wrote:

Patrick, don't you have belts for 3 in the back sofa?

I do but I seem to recall a placard or POH indication that it is two people for takeoff and landing. Also, seems like it would be a squeeze for three full sized adults for very long. Two adults and kid would be fine, though. Maybe I'm being too conservative.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 May 2016, 11:52

Username Protected wrote:

I saw Steve's 980 today in person. Wow!! , it is just incredible and the attention to detail with all the polished parts is spectacular .
Steve needs to post more pictures especially of the exhaust pipes (polished), paint and interior. The plane is just stunning.

Agree! Steve - more pics of that bad boy!!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 May 2016, 11:56

Wow, Steve. She looks like a million bucks! Done a great job on it considering you brought it back from an empty interior camera ship. I know you got the interior from Bruce Byerly, but did they do panel as well?

That's close to how I'd like my panel to look too!

:thumbup:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 May 2016, 12:03

Yes, Naples Jet Center did the panel and everything else except the paint. The Panel is so important to get right and they did a great job. I love the angled G600 and thought about the G950 upgrade but decided against it.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 May 2016, 12:13

Username Protected wrote:

Yes, Naples Jet Center did the panel and everything else except the paint. The Panel is so important to get right and they did a great job. I love the angled G600 and thought about the G950 upgrade but decided against it.

Nice. Who did the paint? Is the chrome around the windows polished SS, or did you paint that on?

Yeah, the G950 looks awesome. But it's spendy. This looks almost the same for a lot less.

BTW, you know what someone should do? A lit sleeve that slides around outside those engine instruments, so we could get rid of the post lights completely. I think the King Air's and many other planes use the same ones, so would probably sell quite handsomely.

On my old piston Commander, I did the UMA-lights around all the analog instruments, and it's surprising how high tech and modern it makes it feel. Here's a shot of that and an Aerostar:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 May 2016, 12:21

I had Byerly Aviation do the paint. The window frame is polished and looks fantastic.

I had all post ligths along with interior and exterior lights changed to LED.

Here is a photo of the cargo area I forgot to add. Its huge I am laying flat and I am 6ft 1in!