10 Jul 2025, 02:50 [ UTC - 5; DST ]
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Post subject: Re: Aircraft Progression Posted: 15 Jan 2021, 13:20 |
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Joined: 01/06/08 Posts: 5182 Post Likes: +2982
Aircraft: B55 P2
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While there is a tendency for pilots to step "up", I think its not unusual for people's missions to change. Bigger and faster doesn't mean more fun to fly.
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Post subject: Re: Aircraft Progression Posted: 17 Jan 2021, 18:42 |
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Joined: 12/29/12 Posts: 670 Post Likes: +261
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My father did a T210 -> baron -> C185. The baron was his go far / fast plane but then stepped back to something for local fun.
Happens all the time.
Rgs Patrick.
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Post subject: Re: Aircraft Progression Posted: 19 Jan 2021, 09:59 |
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Joined: 05/12/18 Posts: 9 Post Likes: +11
Aircraft: Rv9, Aerostar 600A
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I went from Maule to twin comanche to single Comanche to N/A 600A Aerostar with a RV-9 as a backup. I fly the Aerostar the same amount as the -9. My Aerostar has been a dream and very low maintenance cost. Yes it burns 24-28 gph cruise but I’m clipping along at 200-215 kts too. The -9 is a 6-8 gph plane at 140kts to 160kts. Maybe one day I’ll part with the Aerostar but man is it a fun flying plane. I’ll probably keep it just to look at it and let the executor of my estate part it out. By then flying will be like free speech is today,,,, not popular (is that the politically correct to say it?).
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Post subject: Re: Aircraft Progression Posted: 22 Jan 2021, 01:34 |
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Joined: 02/13/15 Posts: 18 Post Likes: +18
Aircraft: Cessna T310R
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Moved up from a T34B (Navy) ending up in a Boeing 777 (American Airlines) and now back down to a Piper ArrowIII and a Twin Cessna 310R. Lots of in between. Way down to way up to way down again.
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Post subject: Re: Aircraft Progression Posted: 22 Jan 2021, 11:04 |
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Joined: 10/22/08 Posts: 5082 Post Likes: +2932 Location: Sherman, Tx
Aircraft: 35-C33, A36
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My first airplane purchased was a 35-C33 debonair in 1988. Thirty two plus years ago. Put 1700 hours on it... and then put it in the hangar for some "restoration" type work. Bought our '76 A36 to fly as a "temporary" airplane in 2003. Flew 1900 hours or so on it and it's still our "temporary" airplane. The 36 really fit our mission well for years and several things happened... all negative to get the debonair back flying... and unfortunately the project has set for several years. Now we're seldom flying with more than two seats filled anymore. So I recently asked the wife about selling the A36 and throwing some of that money at the 33. Her answer was NO.. which surprised me. She loves the barn doors and all the room. However, I'm looking at retiring (slowing down?) before much longer.... mission changes more... saving a little money... flying on mogas in the debonair.... maybe harder to get insurance on the 36 in a few years .... and all those start pushing the argument back to thinking about flying the 33 again.. A lot of words to say... bought Beech 33--> added 36---> sell 36--->fly 33----> give 33 to the grandchildren..... COULD be my TOTAL lifetime aircraft ownership progression. Not as interesting as some ....but I'm fine with that. Leldon
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Post subject: Re: Aircraft Progression Posted: 22 Jan 2021, 17:26 |
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Joined: 01/31/08 Posts: 1080 Post Likes: +508 Location: 16G/KEWB
Aircraft: A33-550B
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Leldon, Your post has great ironies. I was out of flying since 2009; most notably B2OSH 2007.
I had an E33. I am back, and can't decide what I want. I have an A36 buddy who backs the greater utility of a 36. I have a buddy who had an E33, but switched over to the 36. He misses the 33, but his traveling companions appear to favor the largeness of the 36.
So, I am feeling pushed to a 36(not with invalid reasons); just pushed. "You'll really like those barn doors." But who likes to ride backwards? Ok, switch the seats around, but you cant board through the barn doors.
I am looking for useful load, which is generally greater in the older lighter aircraft. It appears 33s and 36s can have UL of almost 1,300 or more, if configured properly.
My son is grown, and still a dependent, but working on his instrument rating. He might like bigger, but I am not sure. Leaning very strongly.
Let me ask you: which airplane do you like to the most? Which is your favorite? I can't answer that question, as I have only driven an E33.
_________________ John Califf
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Post subject: Re: Aircraft Progression Posted: 22 Jan 2021, 19:32 |
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Joined: 08/12/08 Posts: 7733 Post Likes: +2452 Company: Retired Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Aircraft: '76 A36 TAT TN 550
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Username Protected wrote: But who likes to ride backwards? Who doesn’t? We’ve had our A36 for nearly 31 years and have only turned the middle seats around once or twice. Many of my family members and friends like sitting in the middle row facing backwards so they can stretch out. They find it super comfortable. I’ve never had anyone complain about sitting backwards. ??
_________________ ABS Life Member
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Post subject: Re: Aircraft Progression Posted: 22 Jan 2021, 19:44 |
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Joined: 10/22/08 Posts: 5082 Post Likes: +2932 Location: Sherman, Tx
Aircraft: 35-C33, A36
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Username Protected wrote: Let me ask you: which airplane do you like to the most? John, I could compose a long post on the pros and cons of each... but simply... The A36 is the overall better airplane.. that is my opinion.. and also the opinion of the marketplace where equal equipped 36's will command a price several thousand dollars more than a equally equipped 33. Leldon
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Post subject: Re: Aircraft Progression Posted: 22 Jan 2021, 19:45 |
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Joined: 03/28/17 Posts: 8455 Post Likes: +10684 Location: N. California
Aircraft: C-182
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My aircraft progression: Cessna 150 Cessna 172 Cessna 182 Beech Debonair Cessna 310 Cessna 402C Navajo Chieftain Lear Jet Douglas DC-8 Boeing 727 Boeing 747 Cessna 182 Almost full circle; almost like we started out in diapers and end up in diapers. 
Last edited on 22 Jan 2021, 19:48, edited 1 time in total.
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Post subject: Re: Aircraft Progression Posted: 22 Jan 2021, 19:47 |
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Joined: 10/06/16 Posts: 116 Post Likes: +183 Location: Tucson, AZ (winter) & Brunswick, ME (summer)
Aircraft: T210, Aerostar 702P
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I never considered ingress and egress ergonomics when I bought my first plane 32 years ago. I've been flying high-wing Cessnas since then (172 to T210) and still hadn't thought much about ergonomics, honestly.
Then I got my multi in a rented Piper Aztec. I thought it a fine procedure trainer and comfortable enough once seated, but getting out was really awkward. I'm a big tall guy, and climbing out onto the wing (which is above the seat height) while not being able to stand straight up was really uncomfortable. It made me realize that I can't consider an Aztec as a future airplane; a decade from now, I won't be more flexible or significantly shorter than I am today.
The Aerostar I chose has excellent pilot-seat ergonomics, among many other wonderful attributes. I will eventually be priced out of it as a retirement airplane, but certainly think the pilot ergonomics would be viable into my seventies. Not so sure about workload and systems complexity; hopefully I won't ever need to downgrade due to cognitive decline, but that's as legitimate a risk for some pilots as physical decline.
My $0.02
Mark
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