Hallo Everybody,

At the beginning I'd like to introduce myself and my company's newest acquisition.
My name is Zbigniew Mielczarek, I am lawyer and GA pilot, I've been flying gliders and planes for over 15 years.
Last week my company acquired 1979 Beech A-36 Bonanza. The plane was owned by some guy who brought it here from the States two years ago. It still has NXXX numbers.
It was not quite intentional buy, we just wanted to help, owner fell is in serious financial trouble.
Since the plane is bought, I was asked to take care of it and decide if we should make some improvements and keep as a company plane or sell.
I started to learn about Bonanzas, because here in Poland we have thousands of Cessnas (mostly 172 and 182) but Beechcraft is some kind exotic.
The plane was manufactured in 1979, has about 4000 TT and approx. 800 TSO on engine.
Engine is Continental IO520-BB.
Generally the plane is in quite good condition and needs really little work, just general overhaul and avionics upgrade, which is in very bad shape and obsolete.
The plane has not been flown for about a year however was hangared in winters.

The reason I'm here is to learn as much as possible about this plane and to make right decision.
Management of my company counts on my good advice, can I count on yours ?

My nose tells me that I'm about to fell in love with this machine.... , so please give me some advice quickly, than would be too late...

With best regards from Poland

Zbigniew

Zbig....
Welcome to beech talk... nice plane. You will love it.

Is there somebody in Poland that can get you some training in your bonanza? I cant tell what your level of training is......... have you flown it yet?

By the way, I've been to your country.... beautiful.

Welcome to BT Zbigniew.

That looks like a fine airplane you have there.
since it's not been flown for a year, I would make sure the mechanic does a really good annual and borescope.

Panel looks ok, but you probably want to get a WAAS GPS at least.
other than that, I say fly the heck out if it and have some fun.

What is it like flying in Poland?
I expect the fuel is very expensive of course (get GAMIjectors and run LOP !)
How about the airspace, is there any class G, how much do you need to talk to ATC?
I really want to fly around Europe sometime, it's on my bucket list !

Hi Michael,

I have not flown it yet. Yesterday I saw it first time in my life.
As I wrote, she's been sitting for over year, so I think it's good idea to check everything prior returning her to the sky.

She does not have annual, so even because of that, flight is not possible. I expect to have it all done within a month.

Please tell me, if someone can easily handle C172 (like me), would do the same with A-36 ?

I am happy to hear you enjoyed your stay in Poland

Best regards

Zbigniew

Nice looking airplane, Zbigniew.

Has your mechanic/engineer looked closely at the engine? Sometimes sitting for many months without flying can be hard on engine parts.

If you're a regular Cessna pilot, you can transition to the Bonanza with good instruction. Is there an instructor there who has any Bonanza time? Everything happens faster in the Bonanza, so you have to stay ahead of things more than in the Cessna.

Z,
Sorry... I should have read your post more carefully.....

Arlen is correct here. If you are a good pilot with recent experience in 172's the transition isn't difficult but it IS a transition that needs/should be handled with a flight instructor that is experienced in the bonanza. Not only will you be safer but you will be able to enjoy the performance much more.

Some of the stall characteristics are a little different that the 172 and they should not be attempted on your own the first time. ...... not difficult... just different.

Keep reading here and you will learn a lot.

Mike

Hi Tim,

You're right, the panel would be "singificantly" upgraded. Lately I saw Garmin GTN700 and I really loved it. I think it would be something of that taste.

Regarding flying in Poland, it's really easy. Rules are just the same as in whole EU.
You may fly in class G without flight plan unless you wish to enter CTR or MATZ. On bigger % of the polish airspace you may fly freely GND-3500 (because of TMA).
We are all horrified of fuel prices which have gone out of reason long ago.
If you had one liter priced like one gallon in the States, you'd be horrified too...

Feel invited however ...

Thanks Mike,

This is exactly the reason, I'm here

Welcome, sir.

Do a search in this forum for "approach" and you will find a lot of information on airport approach and landing procedures. Speed control is the essence of safety in a Bonanza, and a Bonanza is easier to land than a Cessna if you get the speed right.

Be aware that power-on stalls with flaps and landing gear extended will be much more rigorous than you are accustomed to in your Cessna. Having an experienced pilot on board for this is highly recommended. It is possible to invert the aircraft doing this.

If the airplane hasn't been flown for a year, I'd consider draining the fuel tanks completely, and once airworthy, taking a short flight and changing the oil and filter. There will likely be rust in the cylinders that you want to remove.

Welcome to BT Zbigniew!!!

Great pictures!

Welcome Sir,

Thank your for precious info.
I am newbie with Bonanza so certainly will have type experienced instructor onboard during initial flights.

Best regards

Zbigniew

Hi Keith,

Pictures as pictures. Seems to be great plane ...


Regards

Zbigniew

Zbigniew,

Welcome to BeechTalk!

I am also a flying lawyer. In fact, we have a Lawyer Pilots Bar Association you should join

I also transitioned from a Cessna 172 to a Bonanza. I love the Cessna and the transition toook me around a week to complete, but I have since been quite comfortable in the Bonanza.

We look forward to pictures and posts describing flying in and around Poland.

Drew

Gentlemen,

Please advise, how and where I could get parts catalog for my 1980 A-36 ?
Could you also tell me about how you get parts for your birds ?

Thanks

Zbigniew

Zbigniew,

You can go here to get technical publications from HBC. Sometimes they are available on eBay.

The factory parts site is here, but there are many other sources - Aircraft Spruce, for one, is popular. I've used Controller as well.