BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 Feb 2010, 22:38

Username Protected wrote:

I know it's not a Beech but this forum is pretty inactive anyways.

I've been researching them but only because they seem to be relatively inexpensive to acquire and seem to have a lot of utility above and beyond the fact that they're bad ass.

Specs:

Climb 4000 fpm on 330GPH
Cruise 400-500+ knots on 180GPH (can go as fast as Mach .8)
Range 1000 miles with the tip tanks full

Most guys seem to cruise at 22,000 feet and below.

They have a nose baggage compartment too.

Pressurized, AC and heat.

So it seems for a couple hundred grand you can have a real screamer that can be used to get around with 2 people (90% of my flights).

Guys that own them seem to love them and they seem to have a big support and parts network.

Sure, you're burning some gas but you're also "haulin' ass".

Any thoughts?

Yeah, you should have found them back in 2002/2003 when they were only $150K!

But, I think no RVSM so no +FL290 and I think they do not allow you to have your ejection seat activated.

Here is the Aircraft Datasheet

http://www.csobeech.com/files/L39DataSheet.pdf

Enjoy.

Mike

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 Feb 2010, 22:45

PS: I think the regs say any turboJET powered aircraft requires an ATP rating.

How are you coming on those 1,500 hours? :shrug:

Mike

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 Feb 2010, 22:49

Username Protected wrote:

PS: I think the regs say any turboJET powered aircraft requires an ATP rating.

How are you coming on those 1,500 hours? :shrug:

Mike

Type ratings can be granted without an ATP. Both commercial and private pilots are eligible for turbojet type-ratings. ATP practical test standards apply, however. (Not that it matters in this case but a commercial type rated jet pilot can operate a jet airplane under 135 regs but only to carry freight. In order to carry passengers, in a jet, under 135 an ATP is required.)

I know the rules have recently changed on experimental/warbird aircraft. A letter of authorization used to be the required document but it has been changed. I am not completely familiar with today's requirements.

I was surprised by the performance numbers quoted. 4500ft/min climb is pretty anemic for a light jet, especially one that does not have a standard passenger cabin. The 20 series Lear had a VSI that pegged at 10,000fpm so I don't know the actual rate of climb but you could keep it pegged in a lightly loaded plane until about 15,000ft.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 Feb 2010, 22:51

The link Mike posted answers these questions. It's short too.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 Feb 2010, 22:53

Great airplane Jason. The one that hauls butt around here needs no permission. There are a ton of parts, two great shops...Pride and one out west and yes for 300K you can get a decked out one. The trick is to buy a tank and buy fuel at bulk and then enjoy. Im bad...I wanted the Eclipse and you brought back big memories and desires to get one of these bad ass machines. Here is a good deal even though I would not have done the paint job. Go to Pride Aircraft. You want a C model and this particular one has a 0 time engine. Please go get it and when you come to Amelia, I am your line guy.

For Sale
1984 L-39C Albatross N139PM
$385,000

Full Pride restoration, and Pride maintained. This is a well-equipped,
prime example of L-39 perfection! Don't miss it!
ZERO-TIME ENGINE!
PRICE REDUCED!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 Feb 2010, 23:00

Here's the thing.

I've been shopping "other" things I want to buy. Then I started thinking of an L39. Then I saw how cheap they were.

How negotiable do you think they are? There are at least 20 of them on Controller. How many buyers can there be?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 Feb 2010, 23:00

You only live once.

If you think you can afford to operate it for a couple of years - and fly it enough to stay proficient - buy one, or teach your girlfriend to fly and buy two.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 Feb 2010, 23:03

Without an ejection seat, you're a krispy crittur if the engine dies...

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 Feb 2010, 23:11

Username Protected wrote:

Without an ejection seat, you're a krispy crittur if the engine dies...

According to the website, that's not true. It says it has a great glide ratio at 95 knots.

Also, you can make the ejection seats work or you can wear a parachute and jump out.

So the website says.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 Feb 2010, 23:37

Username Protected wrote:

How negotiable do you think they are? There are at least 20 of them on Controller. How many buyers can there be?

I think there is good room for negotiation.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 19 Feb 2010, 08:28

Username Protected wrote:

Without an ejection seat, you're a krispy crittur if the engine dies...

According to the website, that's not true. It says it has a great glide ratio at 95 knots.

Also, you can make the ejection seats work or you can wear a parachute and jump out.

So the website says.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 19 Feb 2010, 09:20

There's one on controller asking $99K. I'm sure it has issues but still.

If you could be all in for $300K and have a serious cross country machine and don't need to haul more than yourself and a passenger and bags, you can't beat it.

Doing more research.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 19 Feb 2010, 10:29

I don't like "non pilots" sitting next to me anyways....

"what's this button do"?
"what's that flashing light"?
"How's this lever work"?
"What's that number mean"?
"what's that noise"?
"can I try flying"?
"how much longer"?
"are you scared were gonna crash"?

UGH!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 19 Feb 2010, 12:40

Is that like Rufinol?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 19 Feb 2010, 12:57

Username Protected wrote:

Is that like Rufinol?

Yeah, only to be used in the unlikely event that one of us other BT members actually got a "Honda Model" to go flying with us :tape: