| First lesson, November 2002; completed Private Pilot | | | | anywhere from 9-12 degrees nose up by the time you |
| Certificate, July 2003; First Aircraft purchase, August | | | | touch down. |
| 2003; type of aircraft, Beech Bonanza F33A, date of | | | | The big difference between the F33A and the A36 |
| this article, huge smile on my face. | | | | Bonanza is the length. The F33A can have an aft cg |
| During the final stages of my lessons for the Private | | | | issue if you aren't careful with the weight and balance. |
| Pilot Certificate, I have to honestly say that I spent half | | | | It has a useful load of over 1100 lbs, but you have to |
| of my study time researching airplanes to purchase. | | | | keep the big people up front. In regards to comfort, the |
| My research extended from Cessna 210's, to | | | | plane is roomy for my 6' 2", 215 lb. frame. Though the |
| Saratoga's, to even the Aztec. My conditions were | | | | seat is all the way back, it's right where it would go |
| simple, yet hard to fill. I wanted a true 4-5 placed | | | | even if I had another two inches to go back. |
| aircraft with speed, range and comfort. After tons of | | | | Headroom is no problem either, but if I was 6' 4", I could |
| research, I found a '74 Beech Bonanza F33A. 4 adults, | | | | see it being an issue. However, my passengers |
| true airspeed of 176 kts, full fuel and still room for | | | | (including the front passenger) have no problem |
| luggage. Added to this aircraft was the IO-550 for 300 | | | | reclining all the way back for a catnap. |
| hp, tip tanks for 30 more gallons, GNS 530 with KFC | | | | I was able to acquire an insurance policy with the |
| 200 autopilot for navigation and auto-control, WX-1000 | | | | conditions that I had to acquire my IFR and15 hours |
| for thunderstorm awareness, and gami-injectors for | | | | dual time with an instructor who had 25 hours in the |
| better performance and engine efficiency. | | | | F33A. The premium of the insurance policy was |
| It's quick, it's solid, it's stable and it's amazing. After | | | | $6400/annual. OK, it's up there, but it will go down once |
| rotation and gear up, the plane jumps from field | | | | the policy is due again. Next was the annual, which |
| elevation to 3000 feet in less than 3 minutes. Once | | | | was due the same month of the purchase. I did an |
| level, the airspeed indicator pushes over 175 knots. | | | | extensive "pre-buy" inspection with the intention that I |
| Crosswind landings are not much of a problem for the | | | | was going to roll it into an annual. The annual was |
| steady and sturdy Bonanza. Landing the aircraft was | | | | $4500. I did some non-mandatory maintenance so that |
| the biggest adjustment from landing a Cessna. The | | | | I would feel that I was starting with a fresh, new plane. |
| attitude is more nose down, the airspeed is higher, you | | | | Another annual cost that should be less expensive |
| aim for the numbers and then pull back and keep it off | | | | next year. |
| the ground until the airspeed bleeds off. The trim is | | | | |