BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Mar 2024, 19:48

So strange that someone would pour that kind of money, when they can purchase the same thing for probably a lot less... and certainly less headache
I guess maybe for the challenge.
But I don't see the financial advantage.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Mar 2024, 20:02

Speaking of Falcon Air and their 402, it appears that they and DMI also converted a 421 to a Falcon Air 421 using a Walter 601. That's pretty interesting!

https://www.jetphotos.com/aircraft/Falcon+Air+421
https://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitle ... 21/5600843

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Mar 2024, 20:41

Username Protected wrote:

Norman is that a single turbine Duke conversion in your bottom photo? Red white.

Good photos of the spar strap under the engine engine bay area and structure differences.

I have seen a turbine A36 come through here that was also amateur Built.

This is the problem with the FAA. I am told by my local feds I can't even start with a totally bare no paperwork Stinson tube fuselage to build an experimental because it was a certified airplane at one time. Even though I need to build everything else from scratch. I have the drawings, jigs, forms and tooling to do it. Just no paperwork to make it a certified airplane and I want to make some changes so AB would be fine. Yet a quick built 51% kit has many many more completed parts supplied to the builder and a prewelded fuselage. I can easily meet the 51% guidelines but since it was a certified fuselage at one point they say no.
Then you see other people getting AB status on airplanes that they obviously did not build.

That P Navajo with single turbine looks way better than a Meridian. Better cabin and more robust airframe.

I agree and think Piper should have built it and that Beech should have built the Lightning.

And I agree that the regs got completely screwed up. I wonder how it has affected the guys putting long wings on Pacer/Tripacer fuselages (great concept)

And yes-That picture is of a Walter Powered Turbine Duke in South Africa. I will reserve judgement on how ugly I think it is until I see a side view.

I know of 2 amateur built Turbine A36s. One is an Allison powered one that was done at Turbine Design in Deland for the late Henry Van Kestern. I got a ride in it with him and it was a wonderful airplane. The other is Walter powered and was done by Turbine Design for Ken Blaney. (Pictured below) I turned down a ride in it because I think 750 HP is a bit of a stretch for a plane with no structural enhancements that was designed for 285 HP. On an early flight he had an engine failure on final at Palatka but kept his cool and performed a successful start sequence and got power back just above the treetops. It had a marine boost pump mounted high on the firewall and was sucking a small amount of air in from the fuel strainer gasket. The same thing happened to my friend in the 341 at a higher altitude.

The STCed turbine Bonanza cowl (pictured below) looks kind of hokey to me. I still think I have the best overall and best looking cowl design that is very accessible and easy to remove complete with pressure plenum and particle separator.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Mar 2024, 21:02

Username Protected wrote:

Oscar Taylor converted an Aerostar 602P to a SETP using a TPE331-6. Called it the Speedstar if I recall correctly.

A friend of mine in Georgia owns a second uncompleted one.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Mar 2024, 01:08

Username Protected wrote:

I wasn't aware of so many one-off conversions (or that it was feasible in some locations to do it). It was my understanding that converting a certified airframe into an experimental one wasn't typically feasible (and sounds like it's more difficult now than in the past).

But let's say you acquire an older 421 for conversion, maybe for $200k. What's a smaller PT6 cost? $500k? Plus a massive conversion on the airframe, maybe another $200k.

Why would you do this instead of buying a PA46 that burns Jet-A?

Easy to do the conversion for a specific purpose, such as R&D or flight test, with appropriate limitations. Not so easy/impossible for general usage.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Mar 2024, 01:44

If you are going to do an engine replaacement mod, you might as well go all out:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Mar 2024, 11:54

Username Protected wrote:

If you are going to do an engine replaacement mod, you might as well go all out:

Look at that 340 with counter rotating props! Thanks for sharing! Is that in a museum somewhere or did they scrap it?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Mar 2024, 12:01

It's like people aren't even trying.......

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Mar 2024, 12:31

I bought my Aerostar 600A from Van Van Kesteren. A very interesting individual and a great guy! He insisted I come to his house and have lunch with him and his wife.
Lovely people.

Robert T

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Mar 2024, 14:01

Username Protected wrote:

If you are going to do an engine replaacement mod, you might as well go all out:

Look at that 340 with counter rotating props! Thanks for sharing! Is that in a museum somewhere or did they scrap it?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Mar 2024, 14:04

Username Protected wrote:

I bought my Aerostar 600A from Van Van Kesteren. A very interesting individual and a great guy! He insisted I come to his house and have lunch with him and his wife.
Lovely people.

Robert T

Van was a great guy and always had special and well cared for airplanes.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Mar 2024, 14:43

Username Protected wrote:

It's like people aren't even trying.......

Here is a good Tom Clements article about the history of that airframe (BB1)

https://kingairmagazine.com/article/the ... y-of-bb-1/

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Mar 2024, 15:50

I think that is the plane Timken bearing bought new. When parked on a ramp the tail was knocked off and Louise Timken refused to fly in it. The factory took this one on trade and later put the Jet engines on it.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Mar 2024, 16:12

Another prop to jet conversion

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all ... t/aerostar

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Mar 2024, 16:39

Contra rotating.

C421 converted to single PT6