BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 15 Mar 2022, 19:51

The only thing I always caution pilots looking to purchase a Twin Bonanza is ground handling. It is a BIG AIRPLANE with a 45ft or 50ft wingspan and a tail height of 11.5 ft. Many hangars will not accommodate the size. Put your King Air 90 glasses on and view it through them. You just can't hook up a hand tow bar to the nose wheel and move it around (actually you can if you have 4 more strong men with you). Suggest it will take a tug in excess of 5 hp minimum. Four wheelers are OK but their transmission clutches are jerky and I would not want to jerk my nose wheel that much. I received a 5hp tug when I purchased mine and soon realized it was minimal. Marginal traction and no traction on a wet ramp. Besides I have an uphill path across some grassy area to get to the ramp. Ended up buying an electric tug with BIG off road tires rated to pull 15,000 lbs. The small wheel tugs work great on smooth concrete but not so good on dirt. Follow tugs for sale here on Beech Talk and you will find an acceptable model. I did.

Good news: You can usually swing your wingtip over the ground airport fuel pump without fear of hitting it. Wingtip is about 6.5 ft high. Cannot hit the wingtip when parking next to a low wing airplane but high wing models pose a risk.

Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and do some maintenance work. It is easy on a large airframe and you will learn much about your purchase. My maintenance costs are very manageable as Lycoming overbuilt the engines and they are strong and solid even though of old design. Get a prebuy from an owner/mechanic who knows the airplane or better yet owns one!

Lastly get in touch with an owner near your location and go for a ride. I think you will find owners happy to share their love of this wonderful Beech. The last pilot who came to me bought one immediately after the sortie.

Good luck on your search.
Robert

Username Protected · **Posted:** 15 Mar 2022, 21:17

Username Protected wrote:

You just can't hook up a hand tow bar to the nose wheel and move it around (actually you can if you have 4 more strong men with you). Suggest it will take a tug in excess of 5 hp minimum. Four wheelers are OK but their transmission clutches are jerky and I would not want to jerk my nose wheel that much. I received a 5hp tug when I purchased mine and soon realized it was minimal. Marginal traction and no traction on a wet ramp. Besides I have an uphill path across some grassy area to get to the ramp. Ended up buying an electric tug with BIG off road tires rated to pull 15,000 lbs. The small wheel tugs work great on smooth concrete but not so good on dirt. Follow tugs for sale here on Beech Talk and you will find an acceptable model. I did.

Robert, I can absolutely move my Tbone with one hand by the nose wheel. you need a Redline Sidewinder! I have a few of the giant tugs too, but the redline can go with me and move the plane wherever I need it to be.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 20 Mar 2022, 22:10

Good to know.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 21 Mar 2022, 09:31

At 5500# (empty, full gas) I think my Sidewinder would move Brownie ok….as long as it’s not wet or a big grade. My 11.5 hp Supertow II? Fugetabout it!!!