Hello,

1 & 1/2 weeks ago I got my private pilots license in a Warrior II. Many of you know this from my husband's (Mike Grommet) posts. I have also been fortunate to meet many of the Norcal Beechtalkers at fly ins.

Now that I have my ticket I am going to start transitioning to the Bo. I cannot believe he is going to let me fly his baby (he is very brave!). We have an A36 with dual controls. I will of course be flying with an instructor who owns a Bonanza.

Does anyone have any advice for me during this transition? Having read over Mike's shoulder I know what a valuable and knowledgable group this is and would appreciate any words of advice.

Andrea

Congratulations, Andrea, on the PPL.

Welcome to our group. I look forward to hear of some of your training experiences in your Bonanza. Have a great time.

Advice? Read John Eckalbar's book on flying the Bonanza.

I made a similar transition. Piece of cake. You'll have it down in a couple hours.

Congrats Andrea!!

I would read John Eckalbar's book as Max suggested and would also take a BPPP course as soon as you can. It would be fun to do with your husband.

You should also consider using your transition time in the Bo to start working on your instrument rating. You definitely won't regret it!

Congratulations and welcome to the Club!

As with the Piper, memorize the important speeds and how to achieve them. Once the speed is correct, the airplane will do the rest.

I find my 35 much easier to land well than my Arrow ever was.

I know we have the Eckalbar books. I'll start reading them right away. I have heard them quoted frequently.

Also, I have been thinking about starting my intrument training at the same time. Probably get comfotable flying the Bo then start but I think I'll start working on the written while all the airspace etc is still fresh in my mind.

Thanks for the advice. I am open to any suggestions.

Andrea

Andrea, from which airport will you be doing your transition training?

Welcome, Andrea. I've met Mike and he will be a great mentor, but you're doing the right thing training with another CFI. I tried to teach my wife how to ski once ......

Andrea,

I transitioned after about 1500 hours in a Archer. However, I had not flown for about 8 years (kids) and came back to a Bo. Insurance said I needed seven hours and signoff on complex and high performace! I did 30 hours with an instructor and another 5 hours solo before I took anyone up. It wasn't that it was complex or hard....it was a confidence thing with me. Jason and others are quite correct...its essentially a piece of cake once you memorize the speeds and GUMP stuff you didn't have in the warrior. The one thing I remember was how much faster and how much less time I had in keeping ahead of the airplane. Getting into instruments right away will help with the transition in a huge way.

If you and Mike decide on a bppp course, please let me know. Mike is one of the key guys on this forum with whom I have always wanted to meet. Kindred spirits in flying, music, politics and unique interests like hunting.

Best Regards,

Kevin

Andrea

Congraatulations on the PPL and welcome aboard!

Hi Andrea,

You did it ! Well done. We have only met once. I brought my two boys plus my buddy Alex brought his Cirrus and his boy to the Rio Linda fly-in this year. I happened to be in Auburn one morning while you were taking a lesson. I snapped a tow pin and Mike helped me park my 35. I just barely transitioned to a Bo ( and complex ) last December in a rented 35. I did it so I could be ready to purchase. Found it easy and fun. The GUMP check, cowl flaps and prop control were the things that were newest. Your idea of working on the IFR written first and soon is brilliant. I used aviation seminars company to prep me. I really liked it. I did attend the soonest BPPP that I could and it was well worth it. Already been mentioned but the landings are sweet. The bad ones are good. Have fun and hope to see you at a gathering.

Bryan

WELL DONE AND CONGRATS!!!


I transitioned a few years ago from a Citabria. I needed to get my Complex and HiPerf signoffs while getting transitioned and the insurance company required a given number of hours before I was insurance legal.

Choose another cfi that knows a Bonanza if your CFI doesn't fly Beech's or isn't Beech experienced. If you cant find one - look a the BPPP roster. Give yourself a few months of enjoying your new ppl ticket and get started on instrument training. Flying a Bo really requires a IR and you would be the most incredible of awesomest wives if you could legally lend a hand in flying in the soup.

You have a smart husband. He's not as brave as you think for letting you fly "YOUR" (not his anymore, it's both of yours) Bonanza.... Happy wife flying = endless and lifelong support of flying.

BTW: I'd ask you if you had a sister, but since I'm happily married, I need you to start hanging out with my wife - maybe you'll rub some of your pixie dust off onto her.

Alejandro did a fantastic job of finding a good insurance scenario for us. She is required to do 15 hours of formal dual instruction then "dual" with me until our renewal. Her ppl instructor is a debonair owner and is very good. The scenario should allow good instruction time followed by safe time building. I look forward to the first time she throws that throttle forward on the 550 following that warrior

Start strengthening that right leg... I was amazed in my first IO520 flight after my Arrow how much right rudder it took - started heading for the weeds initially

Start strengthening that right leg... I was amazed in my first IO520 flight after my Arrow how much right rudder it took - started heading for the weeds initially