Flying sure beats driving

[dmcummins]

My plane is old and doesn't have any of the fancy new stuff. And I'm not spending 10 to 15K for a gps when I can use an ipad and $75 app. I still head to VORs and look out the window to find my way. But since Ive gotten the plane we rarely drive more than a 100 miles from home. We don't have to be anywhere so we pick our days.

Here is a shot of my instrument panel on our little day trip to Eureka Springs AR. I'm running around 55%-60% power, my IAS calculated out to around 140knts. We had a tailwind and the groundspeed was around 190mph. I was running 9.6 gph.



I still drive the Porsche to the golf club and the airport. But flying is what gets me excited these days.

[Bugsinrugs]

I envy you.

[Scott Douglas]

So do I.
I get airsick just taking people to the airport.

[mossguy]

Very Nice! A picture of the whole plane ,please.

[tcar]

What's the plane? Mooney?

[dhoward]

Doctor killer, as I recall...

[Discseven]

The "economical thinking" is nice DM!

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by mossguy

Very Nice! A picture of the whole plane ,please.

Its a Beechcraft Debonair. I did have shoulder harnesses installed after this picture was taken.

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by dhoward

Doctor killer, as I recall...

Good thing I'm not a Doctor. When are you coming out for a ride? Your not a doctor are you?

[dhoward]

I need to get out there. I forgot it wasn't a v-tail.

[Skytrooper]

Nice airplane ! That is one thing I regret not having done, getting my pilots license. I have had my share of "stick time" ferrying aircraft across the country for many years. I guess that while I was doing that I didn't need bother with getting a civilian license. Now I am stuck either driving or with commercial airline flights. Oh to have a "do over" button....things would be different.

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by Skytrooper

Nice airplane ! That is one thing I regret not having done, getting my pilots license. I have had my share of "stick time" ferrying aircraft across the country for many years. I guess that while I was doing that I didn't need bother with getting a civilian license. Now I am stuck either driving or with commercial airline flights. Oh to have a "do over" button....things would be different.

Two years ago I took my wife to the local airport as they had a car show going on. I mentioned that I had wished I had learned to fly. I had never been in a small plane before but had always been interested. My wife said what was stopping me as I now had the time and money to do it. So I got my plane and PPL right around my 55 birthday.

My brother in law is also starting now and he's 62, your not getting any younger.

[motion]

Nice! Jealous! My wife gave me the green light to get an airplane a few days ago. I've always wanted a Bonanza. Such nice planes.

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by motion

Nice! Jealous! My wife gave me the green light to get an airplane a few days ago. I've always wanted a Bonanza. Such nice planes.

If your buying used, its a buyers market. Lots of nice planes out there. As I was new to all this I paid a buyers agent to help me with both looking for a plane and the purchase.

[recycled sixtie]

Okay if we are talking flying your own aircraft vs driving here are the advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages are of flying own aircraft:
1. Faster
2. Very scenic



Disadvantages
1. No transportation when you get to your destination airport - depend on taxis, ground transportation
2. Likely no toilet!(Empty pop bottle and harder for the women).
3. High cost of maintenance
4. Might need a hangar overnight
5. Cannot stop except for a suitable airport
6. Weather turned bad at destination - pilot/aircraft may not be equipped to land in adverse weather. Single pilot operation increases risk. Think one armed paper hanger at a busy airport.
7. Flying a small aircraft is an expensive luxury. There is a need to keep current on equipment. Instrument rating is recommended.
8. Safety depends on the pilot.


I would prefer driving overall but of course that is my preference. And then there are commercial airlines and the associated frustrations....

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

I envy you.

Me too.
Pilots, any disadvantages to a wing-under? A neophyte question.

[widgeon13]

The Debonair was not the doctor killer, that was the V-tail Bonanza.

Very nice choice of aircraft. You could land that on an aircraft carrier.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Want an M20J here... Maybe in 2-3 years once I'm on my own business-wise.

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Want an M20J here... Maybe in 2-3 years once I'm on my own business-wise.

I also looked at the Mooneys, I'm sure I would have been happy with one of those also. When I was looking it was basically a toss up for me. I just happened to find the Beech first.

[petrolhead611]

Highwing or low wing-personal preference to some extent. High wing often better for short fields