This is a good discussion on A36/210 issue.

Where would the Debonair fit in? Is it the predecessor to the A36?

How is it's performance figures compared to a early 210?

I'll be the first to admit I know Squat about the Beechcraft line up, and appreciate the input so far.

After looking a what Low wrote about insurance costs, I'm pretty sure I'll do the -50 conversion and fly the 182.

Bo Man, thanks for your input about the Bonanza line up.

See ya, Bub

The Debonair was the predecessor to the A36 and had a conventional tail. Compared to the V-tails the conventional-tailed Debonair and A36s don't dutch roll so badly, and the empenage is less likely to depart in flight. http://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/archive/general/ethics/vtail.html Aviation consumer devoted an entire issue to the subject February 1980.

CAVU

I've never flown a 210, and beauty is sure in the eye of the beholder, but I think the only airplane more boaring than a 210 is a 172 (great planes both, but damn...boaring). A friend of mine worked for a law firm that owned a 210 which he could fly for free. If the flight was less than 300 miles he would fly his 195, on his own nickle, rather than be subjected to the tedium of a fast, trusty, dependable, free 210.

And lets face it, if reliable, cheap, fast transportation is what you're looking for, look no further than Jet Blue and Sky West.

ravi wrote: And lets face it, if reliable, cheap, fast transportation is what you're looking for, look no further than Jet Blue and Sky West.

If any of us had any brains or common sense, and worried about things like "reliable, cheap, or fast" there wouldn't be a single one of us in the air (or broke, divorced, lost, and sitting sideways off the edge of the runway wondering what just happened).

Gump

Now ravi, I never said a 210 was cheap, but I guess cheap is a relative term. A good one is beyond my means. Shoot my Maule is beyond my means.

a64pilot wrote:Now ravi, I never said a 210 was cheap, but I guess cheap is a relative term. A good one is beyond my means. Shoot my Maule is beyond my means.

Hey the 182 is getting past my means! So the 210 has to be out for sure.

It just keeps getting harder to fly.

I was going to fly my daughter to Lynden Washington to spend some time with a friend. Fuel I figured woud be around 340 bucks X 2, have to pick her up to. Southwest out of Boise Idaho, $149, round trip. Can't touch that! But not near as fun.

Fly safe, Bub

I have flown both the Bonanza and the 210 extensively and have never owned either one. So I hope my opinion comes across as objective.

I like the earlier models:
The early 225 horse Bonanzas are great airplanes for three reasons: They are fast for their fuel burn (150knts on 11gph). They can use auto fuel. I don't know what you pay for gas, but on my field it is nearly double the price of Mo-gas. And finally the purchase price. I recently saw a very nice low time Bone go for 45k.

The early 210 is a better short field airplane (350ft shorter ground roll), better useful load, and high wing. The 210 is nearly the same speed (IO 470) and price. It will burn 12 gal per hour and must use 100LL.

Neither plane can honestly be called a 6 seater despite the year /model.

It boils down to cheap, fast, cross country (Bonanza), or a slightly better short field airplane that will haul more peolpe/stuff, but cost more per hour to run.

Hope this helps[/u]

Skylane wrote:..........
I was going to fly my daughter to Lynden Washington to spend some time with a friend. Fuel I figured woud be around 340 bucks X 2, have to pick her up to. Southwest out of Boise Idaho, $149, round trip. Can't touch that! But not near as fun. Fly safe, Bub

I'm guessing that Southwest flies into Seatac. Don't know where else they go, but Allegant Airline flies to Las Vegas out of Bellingham, right next door to Lynden. Might be worth checking into for convenience sake the next time your daughter heads over that way, Bub.

Eric