Bellanca super viking vs f33bonanza

[Jeff Moralez]

I typically have 500 mile legs and one to three passengers. I am trying to gather as much unbiased info on the two types of planes for a future purchase. Consideration of the resale and of course operational costs are most important. Performance and comfort of the two are close enough to not be much of a factor as far as I can tell.Any imput would be apreciated.



I guess Ill introduce myself, I am 51 years old and started flying in 1978. Got married in 81 and had to raise a family so there was a twenty year suspension in flying. Kids are raised now and am single once again. So I can afford to fly again. Just past the written and will finish up next week. (Hopefully). My partner and I are in need of an airplane for biz, thus my initial post. Glad to be among the flying again!

[navyretread]

Hi, Jeff. Our backgrounds are actually quite similar so I am drawing a certain amount of encouragement from your story. I was a little slower getting back into it is all; I went into the Navy flight program in 1969, got out in 1976 and started a real estate career that didn't leave a lot of time or financial security for civilian flying. Last August, with one kid in grad school and the other on his way (hopefully) to college, I decided it was now or never.

I don't have the qualifications to answer your question directly but I did start my flying career in the Beech T-34B Mentor, which was derived from the O-470 powered Debonair, and I can honestly say it was a sweetheart of a machine, much more responsive than the Pipers and Cessnas I've been renting lately. I also happen to think the Bonanzas and Debonairs are so much better looking.

What I've heard, though, is that the Bonanza has a problem with aft CG limits. Because my family are all on the big side (even my daughter is 6'-1" tall), this would be a problem when compared with, say, a Cessna 210 or a Comanche, both of which can muster similar cruise numbers but also carry a couple of passengers or skis, surfboards, etc. in the back seats.

The Bellanca, I read somewhere, is a little quirky about carrying power to the flair out at landing although I would sure want to check that out before I made a decision. There was also an AD out about the wooden wings that you'd want to look into and the fabric, although it probably lasts forever if kept in a hangar, is only supposed to be good for five to ten years.

It all depends upon how you, not I, would use it but that's my thought process for what it's worth. Either way, good luck and nice to hear your story.

Steve C.

[cstolflyer]

I've flown both the Bonanza P35 and The Bellanca Super Viking 17-30, IO-520 powered (300 HP).. The T-34 came from the Bonanza, not the Debonair, as it was delivered to Air Force in 1950, the Debonair debuted in 1960, anyway if you like an airplane with speedy comfort look at a Meyers 200, 10-12 KTS. faster than a Bonanza with 4 inches more cabin room, also never an AD on the airframe

Look for a Meyers 200B model, they are the best models, and can converted to the IO-550 R (300 HP) at 12.5 GPH you can see 180 KTS all day