OK. Getting past the shyness. I recently came across this great BT website while looking for information regarding the purchase of an A36, and I thought it would be a good idea to join and reap the insight of the many owners here.

Experience - I got my private ticket 23 years ago and have flown Cessnas and Pipers, but have low hours. Like many pilots, my dream is to someday (at this point, someday soon) own a Bonanza. Two things that I want to do immediately after the purchase is to, of course, get my complex check off, and then get my IFR ticket. I want to do this in the Bonanza because getting insurance coverage for it is going to be, not expensive, but ridiculously expensive for the first couple of years. I was quoted 12k/yr. by one insurance carrier! Doing my training in the Bonanza will help me to log the in-type hours that the underwriter requires to eventually bring the premium down to at least the expensive level.

Why an A36? - first of all, to fulfill the dream above, in addition, I understand a Bonanza is a great airplane for cross country flying (one of the main goals for me with this airplane), it's a great platform for IFR, and the double doors in the rear make for loading/unloading of stuff such as snow skis an easier task.

Size Matters - I am 6'-5" tall with a slender build and don't really know if I fit in a Bonanza. Since FBO's typically don't rent Bonanzas, sitting in one, much less flying in one, has been an illusive event. Can someone here with similar height characteristics let me know if I might fit in one? If I don't fit, I will have to opt for another airplane right off the bat.

OK, those are the basics. I would appreciate any input, good, bad, or indifferent, even if it just serves as a sanity check for me I look forward to reading the many posts on the other different topics. Are there any Bonanza events in So Cal that may help me to get up close and personal with these fine flying machines?

Thanks for having this forum.

Respectfully,

-Efrain.

Efrain, let be the first to welcome you to Beech Talk, this is a great sight. I hope you find the A36 of your dreams.
If you are not already, I would highly recomend you join the American Bonanza Society. great organization.
You should find on the ABS web site a list of Ambasadors that will be more than happy to let you sit in the captains seat of a bonanza, probably even get a chance to fly in it also. I would bet there are several sign up on the list from California.

http://www.bonanza.org/Test-Flight/
Try this link, there are several California Ambasadors listed.
Good luck,

Depending on the amount of seat cushioning, you could experience some problems with ceiling height. Mine has original upholstery so at 6'4" I have plenty of room even with a padded headset. I have just a little more headroom in my V35B than I had in my 69 Arrow.

Another option is to go with the Halo or Clarity Aloft headsets which do not have a pad. They provide excellent noise attenuation but in-the-ear foam inserts aren't comfortable to everybody, though I like them.

I did visit one used airplane before buying mine that apparently had a vertically challenged pilot and wife. They had redone the seats in nice leather but the cushions must have been close to 4" thick and I could not sit up even without a headset.

Keep an eye on BT get-togethers and you'll find a chance to try some out for size. They do vary quite a bit.

Hi Efrain,

We are practically nieghbors, my office is in Hermosa and my hangar in Torrance.I am happy to take you up in my B36.

Private message me and we can arrange it.

I love this place!

-MO

Efrain, can't tell you how good it is to have you at BT. This site is amazing. You will have a wonderful time here, learn more then you can imagine, meet some of the greatest people on earth, and have your share of laughs. Welcome! -Ron

Efrain,

I have a TN A36 at KPOC and would be more than happy to take you for a ride. I did have my interior redone a few years ago and they added a few inches to the bottom of the seat. At 6’5” you would be a little cramped unless you reclined the seat.

Send me a PM if you want to get together.

Steve

WOW! What a great welcome! Thank you all for your comments and for the ride offers. I'm currently trying to set up a flight with Jon, since he offered and he's just down the road from me, but thank you Steve. Maybe I can take you up on your offer at a later time if you need a co-pilot

I love this site! There's nothing like picking the brains of people with lots of experience, especially when they freely share it. I plan to learn a lot her, and maybe someday contribute some insights myself. Thanks for the link to the ABS. I'll look into joining.

It sounds like the headroom in the Bonanza may be similar to sitting in a Piper Warrior. This may be my excuse to finally upgrade my DC headset to a newer, sleeker model

Efrain,

I'm 6' 4" and have over 900 hours in an A36. A very comfortable airplane to fly. I had more room than I have in the Citation X I fly now. You'll love it! Welcome to BT!

Thanks for your input, John. I can't wait to go up with Jon and finally put the headroom issue to the test.

I remember reading one thread about factory turbo vs. Tornado Alley turbo, which was very interesting. These are the types of discussions that I like to read that provide information from actual users. Are there any features that I should look for in an A36 that are a must-haves (aside from the wing, motor and prop, of course)? Conversely, are there items that I should stay away from that are not very functional or that would only serve as an expensive decoration?

For now I continue to look for a possible candidate for purchase. There are many out there for sale. For those of you who keep volunteering to help and spend other people's money , do you know of any good Bonanzas for sale? I've been looking at the '85-'98 model years, since anything newer than that becomes very cost-prohibitive. Thanks!