BeechTalk - BT - FS:1943 Beechcraft D-17S Staggerwing

Username Protected · **Posted:** 20 Aug 2021, 14:57

Apparently they made a pretty good backcountry plane.
This is my grandfather at Cabin Creek in ‘46 I believe.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 25 Aug 2021, 17:45

The only question is: WHY do I NOT own this airplane???

Username Protected · **Posted:** 25 Aug 2021, 18:50

MX, Training and the time it takes.

That’s like going to Europe and coming back with a 25 year old hot blond that doesn’t speak English. Probably the same amount of time, money and learning curve.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 26 Aug 2021, 09:34

Owning a Staggerwing of this quality is like wearing a new white shirt and eating a burger and fries. You can never relax because you know the ketchup is coming!

I would be a nervous wreck afraid someone would ding a wing tip on the ramp. I bet the insurance is a nice number. All of this is just part of coming to accept the burdens of being its care taker.

Beautiful airplane…. I just need a bigger hanger and a few more gold bricks. :bugeye:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 26 Aug 2021, 09:41

Auburn I gave this plane serious consideration and I can afford it. My concern is exactly what you stated, I would be a afraid I would wreck it and never fly it.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 26 Aug 2021, 13:43

It's beautiful.

My dream "fun" airplane.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 26 Aug 2021, 16:45

Username Protected wrote:

MX, Training and the time it takes.

That’s like going to Europe and coming back with a 25 year old hot blond that doesn’t speak English. Probably the same amount of time, money and learning curve.

But more fun

Beautiful airplane

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Aug 2021, 08:25

Username Protected wrote:

Owning a Staggerwing of this quality is like wearing a new white shirt and eating a burger and fries. You can never relax because you know the ketchup is coming!

I would be a nervous wreck afraid someone would ding a wing tip on the ramp. I bet the insurance is a nice number. All of this is just part of coming to accept the burdens of being its care taker.

Beautiful airplane…. I just need a bigger hanger and a few more gold bricks. :bugeye:

Aubie,

Pretty sure that you and I will talk sometime today, but I'll ask you here anyway. Do you have any Staggerwing time. I wonder how its handling would compare with the 195 which I see as a formidable airplane.

It would seem that the SW is a more docile airplane, but all is relevant. With training, I would have no qualms about Gerald and the SW. The "test" is that the owner recognizes that there are simply days when you fly a Skylane and don't open the hangar door to the SW.

Jg

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Aug 2021, 08:38

JG,
In my opinion the Staggerwing is “easier”. Full length ailerons help on the ground with adverse yaw. Retractable gear with “shock” and springs makes a non bounce landing much easier than Cessna gear legs do. Flaps are much larger and it is possible to land slower.

Still both heavy tail wheel planes, with limited forward visibility, that the fun begins when the wheels are on the ground. Wish I had the data but I believe many landings in both result in LOC well after the landing and in the slowdown period when the rudder becomes ineffective in absolutely NO wind conditions.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Sep 2021, 02:37

JG,
I have flown one about 50 hours. The one I flew was 1937 E that aas converted to an F Model. It is not nearly the handful to land as the 195. It just rolls on smooth as an ole buick on a big highway.

The owner left it with me when he was going an extended vacation. He had a short list of squawks which included an oil change. His instruction was to fly it. I had to change the oil again before I delivered it back to him after the 6 week vacation.

I tried to fly it every day!