This is the story of owning and operating a 1993 Beech Bonanza A36 in the UK and some of its adventures and flights. I have owned this plane for over six years now.
I took the Bonanza to Cumbernauld near Glasgow today to attend a meeting.
There was a 2000ft cloud base at Cumbernauld but with some fairly hefty hills around there I had to plan my descent carefully. On the way back Blackpool had a 1000ft cloud base so I flew an ILS approach which was great. I don't often to that in anger.
I took a couple of pictures of mountain tops in the Lake District as I flew back and a video. It just shows off the beauty of flight when you can climb on top in perfectly still air. I really think us pilots are incredibly lucky to be able to do that.
and a video
I flew the Bonanza at 23/23, that's 2300rpm and 23 inches of manifold pressure. That's a mid cruise setting. My true air speed was 176 knots. I think in the video you can a CAS of 164 knots. I was at 5100ft and the air temperature was 11 degrees C. That's pretty impressive as the max cruise speed is supposed to be 176 knots at 6000ft although I think that is quoted fully laden but I was on my own today. Nonetheless a pretty impressive plane.
Also the take-off distance at Cumbernauld was only 303 metres without any flap and no short field techniques.
We have just replaced the landing light for 10 millionth time at a cost of about £50. I have now ordered a new LED landing light which costs about £500 but lasts forever. I guess I should do the taxi light as well but maybe that can be done in the future.
Well we have had yet another annual inspection completed on our Beech Bonanza A36 and this time a few small issues to be dealt with that cost an extra 25 hours labour.
Here is the bill below
To Annual Check and ARC Renewal of A36 Bonanza G-FOZZ
Entering all flights for journey log into Aircraft log books. 60.00
2 x Inline Filters (Pressure System) 84.44
2 x Inlet Filters (Pressure System) 60.00
1 x Induction Air Filter 22.00
10 Qts W80 Oil 66.00
1 x Undercarriage Uplock Cable 125.00
Paint and Sundries, Screws, Split Pins Etc 65.00
Standard Annual Check (Complex) 1600.00
Radio Annual Check / Certification 200.00
ELT Battery 85.69
Static Wick 37.00
Additional Defect Rectification:-
Fit undercarriage Uplock cable, Retraction Tests,
De-corrode and re-paint undercarriage retract links,
De corrode and paint engine, repairs to rear door mechanism.
25 hours labour. @ 40.00 1000.00
Survey by xxxxxxxxxxxxx 600.00
CAA ARC Fee 108.00
SUBTOTAL. 4113.13
VAT. 822.63
TOTAL £4935.76
Having not managed to get out in G-FOZZ for a good few weeks I took the opportunity today to go on a short flight to stretch my wings. I was in for a treat.
The weather was perfect. Cold, severe clear for miles and completely still air. I tried a max power cruise and got a TAS of 184 knots at just 3000 feet. Not something I normally do due to rising fuel costs but I am glad I did. It is just amazing the effect that cold air has on that engine.
I landed at a wonderful little airfield owned by ex superbike racer Jamie Whitham and had a cup of tea with some of the local flying members in the international arrivals cabin/static caravan. What a very nice bunch. Mr Whitham popped in soon after and was equally charming.
I don't know what is around the airfield but I strongly recommend you drop in to say hello.
I quick journey back and
after I parked G-FOZZ in the hangar at the wonderful Hangar 3 facility.
Its that time again and the insurers have decided that despite being a loyal customer and never having a claim they were going to ask for £600 extra premium this year. I wasnt happy with that so I have shopped around and managed to get another quote to cover the plane at the same price as I paid last year, Around £3600.
Now on the face of it I should be pleased but it begs the question why it costs so much to insure a plane that flies about 60 hours each year and little chance of being stolen against my Maserati Gran Turismo that cost 60% of the price that it cost to buy the Bonanza but costs less than £700 to insure and is driving on busy roads on a daily basis.
It shows that premiums in aviation are a rip-off pretty much like everything else in this industry I guess!
There was a fault with the A36 Bonanza landing gear that required a new bracket ordering from the States and a small repair. The total cost was £636.
This week we needed to have a 50 hour check on G-FOZZ, our
Beech Bonanza A36. While having the check it was deemed that we needed to replace all 3 tyres. The cost of the service and tyres was a shade under £1400.
We got the prop back from Brinkley Aviation last week and I have to say they did a beautiful job. Quite simply the prop looked new. The dent it had in one of the blades has magically vanished too.
It wasn't cheap at £3800 including VAT but that was one of the most competitive quotes I got. Also it was completed in pretty much the same time quoted which was just over a week. Much faster than any other company quoted.
I can't hesitate in offering a superb reference for Brinkley Aviation.
