Switch is complete

[bnicolette]

Hi all,

 

Well, the switch is complete from Mooney 201 to Baron B55.  Three days after Doug took delivery of his new Mooney (my old Mooney) we had a B55 in for an inspection.  Today I drove out to Indiana along with my newest mentor/broker to bring the new machine back home.  Flew from KGWB to KPIT dropped Nick off so he could catch a plane back to KRDU, then hopped in the B55 by myself and flew the very short leg over to my home airport KLBE.  Everything went super well.  There seems to be a lot going on right now which in my experience is very normal until you learn the layout of the cockpit.  Once the cockpit appears to be about 1 foot wide is when i start to feel really comfortable in the airplane.

It is a 1979 Beechcraft B55 that has the Colemill President II conversion.  That means it has 300 hp IO550E engines which gives it a skyrocketing two engine climb rate along with a 14K single engine service ceiling.  Pretty impressive performance.  Pushing the throttles forward on the runway we were looking for 80 knots for rotation which comes about much faster than I thought because when I looked up we were doing 90 knots and I hadn't rotated yet.  Oops.  By the time I reached for the gear handle we were well past "blue line/100knots" and racing towards 120 in no time.  Climbing at 130 indicated yields a great climb rate (initially 2500+fpm) and our cruise altitude of 10,500 was reached in no time.  good thing as the initial fuel flows are 29gph/engine.  Once at cruise we had full power set with 2300rpm's and running about 30 degrees LOP.  That yielded us a true airspeed of 194 knots burning 25gph.  I can live with that knowing I've got two engines, boots, alcohol windshield/props, heated fuel vent and stall warning.  

 

Bankable performance is 10-12K 187 true burning 24gph, and if you want to push a lot of fuel through it, you can see 205 true burning 30gph.  Which I choose the former.  Looking forward to playing around with the power setting and LOP settings to try and really see what kind of efficiency I can get out of it.  I know it's not an "efficient" airplane but still want to see what it's really capable of.

 

It is pretty well equipped with an Aspen Pro, GNS530W, Color radar, WX10A stormscope, GAMI's, King KFC200 w/flight direct and a JPI 760 GEM.

 

My only problem now is that days of "fun" flying will probably all but come to an end.  However, hopefully I will use it for more pointed trips for work and for family outings.  Time will tell.

 

I would like to sincerely thank the Mooneyspace members/contributors for the last three years during my Mooney ownership.  What a great board with great folks.  The board as we all know is a huge benefit for owners trying to operate on a good budget and the sharing of events/idea's leading to the successful operations of our beloved machines.

 

Craig I will continue be a contributor of MS when the need arises.  

 

[carusoam]

Brett,

You're still welcomed to discuss the IO550 topics with us. You're still invited back.

Congratulations on the transition.

Best regards,

-a-

[fantom]

We're not envious, no not at all

Best of luck and fair skies with that 'big boy' airplane. Do stick around and keep us up to date about your beautiful new ride.

[Danb]

Brett. Good luck....Dan

[PLN_FXR]

The 55 Baron is a nice machine; I never found the Barons (either the 55's or the 58's) to be as fast as the book says they are, but that's true across almost all aircraft.  For dependable all-weather personal business transportation, it's hard to beat a Baron in the light twin category.  Enjoy!

[TWinter]

Congrats, very nice!!  You made a great find and looks equally as nice of condition as your Mooney did. Hope to see you still hanging out on MS. Enjoy playing with the twins..LOL

[RJBrown]

Did I ever tell the story about the time I walked past a Baron in my Rocket? It was his first flight outside the area around APA. Both of us has chosen that day to fly down to Santa Fe for lunch. He went IFR at 10,000' while I was VFR at 10,500. I was on flight following that day. As I tuned to Pueblo approach I heard him go back to center. Shortly after I was back with center he started calling traffic 12 O'clock 500 ft low and closing. I thought nothing of it as I passed and went on to Santa Fe. I saw the Baron taxi up to parking as our shuttle left for downtown. After lunch when we got back to the airport the girls went in to use the facilities and I went out to pre flight. The Baron was parked right next to me. The pilot struck up a conversation. Seems it was the first flight in his big new fast twin and he was crushed and had to find out what had passed him. As center started to point out the Mooney about to pass he had sped up trying to stay ahead, I innocently walked on by. He was amazed at my speed and efficiency.

 I know there are reasons besides speed for flying a twin and I hope you enjoy your new steed. But this is a Mooney site and I couldn't resist a poke as you fly off into your future. With the Colemill conversion I bet I would not have closed so easily if you were the Baron ahead.

Enjoy, Randy

[FlyDave]

Brett,

 

Beautiful and very capable airplane! Living in PA you're gonna love the additional dispatchability (is that a word?) of boots, etc.

When I went from my J to the Bravo, the increased fuel burn was a bit of a bite. Yours is a bit more yet so keep that credit card handy. Can you cruise on just one engine to keep the fuel costs down ?

Did you buy this with a partner?

 

Dave

[John Pleisse]

Um....excuse me, but where are the sheepskin seat covers.... Gawd, you think you'd have all this straight.... :):). Nice ride.....real nice.

[bnicolette]

Brett,

Did you buy this with a partner?

Dave

I did Dave. Much to afraid to own it alone. Partner is also a Mooney convert. He just sold his '94 Bravo.

[Marauder]

Nicely done Brett! Can't wait to see it in person. Also can't wait to read your new book "How to the hide the expenses of a twin from your spouse". Should be a best seller not only with twin owners but also with the rest of us idiots spending tens of thousands of dollars on 40 year old airplanes.

[bnicolette]

Thanks guys.

It's a bit daunting but at least for the associated costs I'm splitting it in two.

Now the fuel cost is a different story.

[Marauder]

Thanks guys.

It's a bit daunting but at least for the associated costs I'm splitting it in two.

Now the fuel cost is a different story.

 

Ah come-on, you know you are setting us up for your sequel book "How partners can hide twin ownership costs from their spouses -- a step by step guide"

[bnicolette]

Nicely done Brett! Can't wait to see it in person. Also can't wait to read your new book "How to the hide the expenses of a twin from your spouse". Should be a best seller not only with twin owners but also with the rest of us idiots spending tens of thousands of dollars on 40 year old airplanes.

Haha

Actually my spouse was ready to give up her car fund we've been saving for, for about a year and a half if I didn't want to take on a partner. What a woman!!!!

[PTK]

... Also can't wait to read your new book "How to the hide the expenses of a twin from your spouse". Should be a best seller not only with twin owners but also with the rest of us idiots spending tens of thousands of dollars on 40 year old airplanes.

You mean you guys ask for your wives' consent before hand?!

 

My philosophy is that wives don't need to know everything initially. It's perfectly ok for them to find out after the fact!

[DAVIDWH]

The only problem I have with twins is the math.

 

The chances of losing an engine is not double, but goes up as the square. Ie. you are four times

 

more likely to lose an engine in a twin as a single.

 

And losing mp or a prop governor at Vmc. would decidedly increase the laundry bill.

 

(Former twin owner)

[flyboy0681]

Somehow I don't think it burns 10 gph.

[bnicolette]

Somehow I don't think it burns 10 gph.

 

shhhhhhh!!  

[M016576]

Somehow I don't think it burns 10 gph.

It does at idle on the ramp.... Leaned waaaaay out

[M016576]

You mean you guys ask for your wives' consent before hand?!

 

My philosophy is that wives don't need to know everything initially. It's perfectly ok for them to find out after the fact!

Better to ask forgiveness rather than permission?

[jnisley]

Congratulations!

With a plane as capable as that it's time to contact Mary Jane Sablan at Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic and get set up to do Angel Flights:)

1-800-296-3797 mj@angel-flight.org

[bnicolette]

I started down that road when I had the Mooney but ended up with PALS (Patient Airlift Services). I got to do one flight last year and hope to do more this year. Very rewarding and I loved helping!! I like PALS as they reimburse for part of the fuel cost.

[PTK]

Better to ask forgiveness rather than permission?

Neither one is necessary with the right approach!

We must never underestimate how logical women really are and how well they take responsibility for their emotions.

We must always praise them and remind them how amazed we are on how well they understand that we as pilots are expected to exercise independent judgment and make our own decisions.

[Hank]

Neither one is necessary with the right approach!

We must never underestimate how logical women really are and how well they take responsibility for their emotions.

We must always praise them and remind them how amazed we are on how well they understand that we as pilots are expected to exercise independent judgment and make our own decisions.

 

I just remember to make contributions to the jewelry fund, from reputable stores instead of mall junk. Keeps me out of some trouble . . . there's just no way to stay completely clean.

[PTK]

Congratulations Brett. Looks like a beautiful airplane.

Wishing you Clear Skies and Safe Landings!