I am starting to think about thinking about selling my A36TC for a four seat fixed gear aircraft. SWMBO would rather have an airplane that can get off the ground quicker so that we can go into smaller runways for camping. I, on the other hand, still have "the need for speed". I've thought about C182, C206, Piper Dakota, or a Cirrus SR22 (taildraggers are out). Of those, the Cirrus fits the bill for speed and takeoff distance, but can you easily load it with camping gear and folding bikes? Can you remove the back seats?

Thanks for you help, and any other suggestions.

W

You want to get rid of an A36, one of the most diverse and capable aircraft, with barn doors, and a TC, and replace it with a cirrus, to fly into shorter strips? I guess I'm a bit confused. At the same weights an A36 should be able to get off the ground faster and land shorter than a Cirrus. I've seen people fly A36's into 1000ft strips. The same can't be said for the Cirrus.

You already have the most one of the most capable camp airplanes. No hate against the cirrus, but why?

The F33A with a 550 is much more capable than the Cirrus for what you are describing.

Mostly it is to go to a fixed gear airplane for insurance reasons. And, if this were the NA 1968 36 I used to have, I would agree with you. Maybe I'm just getting lazy in my old age, but in the A36TC I'm lucky to be off in 1,500 feet. (The POH says I should be able to takeoff in 1,100'.) This is a heavy airplane and I'm frequently near gross weight.

agree. But for putting bikes in the back, the A36 is equally more capable than the F33

If the strip is too short to depart comfortably in the A36, put less weight in the plane. With just 2 people, basic camping gear, and a couple hour's fuel, that A36 is going to go more places than the cirrus, and will give the C-182 a run for its money.

Agree with all the above. A Cirrus is an awesome plane but it definitely ain’t for camping! Skinny little tires and very delicate pants. Not sure if I’d even land on a good grass strip in a Cirrus.
182 or better yet a turbo 206. You can take anything and everything with you!

The Cirrus is a great all around plane. When I had mine, I would not choose to fly into grass gravel or rough fields. Really hard on the wheel pants. Just flying on paved runways, I think I had 5 repairs, just hitting little potholes, ice chunks, snow, little rocks, looped chains on the ground.

I think of the Cirrus as best used on a 3000 foot runway. Sure you can get in and out shorter, but it is not a short field aircraft. Especially high and hot, although the turbo makes the high and hot much less of an issue.

Loading bikes folding or broken down, camping gear etc is doable. Over the wing, and you have to lay the seats down, but it works. Just stick to reasonably long paved good condition runways and you will like it. Comfortable, modern, parachute. Not going to really expand your mission over a Bo though.

In case you’re still not convinced by the above posts, I love my Cirrus G2, way more than my V35 but full fuel useful is 500lbs (later models only slightly more), the cargo door is 18”x18” and I’d never (even though others do) go off pavement. I’ve loaded a mountain bike but it’s no fun, rear seats are removable easily but it leaves a lumpy deck underneath unlike the Bo.

Thanks everyone, you told me what I needed to know. I can remove the Cirrus from the list. I suspect the if and when I move on from the A36TC it will probably be to a C206 (but I just wish they had put the wings in the right spot ), or a Dakota.

W

I think the stiff leg PA32 might be for you. Kind of like an upside down 206. Barn doors, goes anywhere. A buddy loads bikes into a PA28 on occasion and it's no fun for him.

How about a 300hp C182? I flew a Katmai about 6 months ago. It levitates.

https://www.airplains.com/cessna182-300hp

I was gonna suggest a Katmai as well, and maybe throw in a TN Cessna 185 for giggles as well since fixed gear seems to be important.

I think the stiff leg PA32 might be for you. Kind of like an upside down 206. Barn doors, goes anywhere. A buddy loads bikes into a PA28 on occasion and it's no fun for him.

206 or T206

It's what it is made for with those huge flaps and it has enough cargo space with large doors. We even had one tuned to fly LOP, but it took a while to get the injectors right.

Just slightly slower than the bonanza.

Insurance seemed a little higher due to the accident record from their use in Alaska. (or so we were told)

But he’s already got an A36.
The only thing a Cherokee 6 is going to do better is go slower and use more fuel.

I just can’t understand the question. If you want to go camping on improved grass strips and not take all day getting there, an A36 is as good as it gets.