Beech B19 questions

[Tony R]

Happy New Year my fellow aviators. I'm kinda getting tired of playing the rental game at my local flight school so I'm now looking in earnest for my first plane. I'm a 25 hour, about to solo student. I've flown a 172, pipistrel alpha trainer, and now a Cherokee. I've had no real issues jumping in different planes. I kinda want to fly them all. On my short list is a Beech Sport. I've never flown one so I'm looking for some information from actual owners or pilots.

What are your thoughts?
What should I be aware of?
I know about the black duct work issues, and the 346 parts availability, what else should I educate myself on?
What is your opinion on it's flight characteristics?... I know it's slow... I'm ok with that.

Thanks for your collective wisdom/experience.

-Tony

 

[Ashara Keliyn]

1. Donuts
2. Join beechaeroclub.org , well worth the money. I think it's a must for any owner or prospective owner.
3. Personal opinion/experience: I'd stay away from 346s. Great engines, but from my research, many mechanics won't even touch it.

 

[WDD]

1) Get your PPL. Endure the Flight School Rental woes.

On my short list is a Beech Sport. I've never flown one.....

2) Fly a year or so at least after your PPL to figure out what plane you'd really like to own/fly. Trust me, you don't really know yet.

3) Owning can be as involved as getting your PPL. Get one thing done at a time.

Why?
1) Your own plane will be down for maintenance just like the rentals you fly now. Are you prepared to pay rental as well as all of the costs of owning and fixing your non flying owned plane?

2) IMHO after your PPL, get your instrument; which will take as much time and effort as you spent getting your PPL. THEN think about owing your own plane.

 

[LWGII]

Second vote for Beech Aero Club. Post your questions there. You will get authoritative responses.

 

[Barrett50]

The B19 never had the 346 engine. That was restricted to the A23 and A23A. some few B19s were rated for aerobatic category. They are slow, the gear donuts need inspection. They land pretty flat, a bit hard to flare but it's doable. Helps to have some load in the baggage bay. Comfy, compared to the 172s. The baby Beech to have is the A23-24 with IO-360. Plenty of power and a stand up plane for four people. If only 2 aboard the B19 will be an honest flier. Engine and prop are well supported, the airframe - not so much.

 

[Ventucky Red]

You won't get to where you're going very fast, but you will do it with comfort and Beechcraft quality

 

[Bobanna]

Best plane there is for converting money into noise, but honest flier and a lot of fun. Good advice above.

 

[mandm]

My opinion is to get your instrument rating first. Unless you have an instructor who will teach in your airplane and you have good avionics.

 

[Tony R]

Yeah I'm a 55 year old student. I'm just doing this flying thing for fun. I don't think I will get my instrument rating. Literally for going to and from my place in CT to my place in NH and grabbing lunch along the way. I never have to be anywhere so I don't launch unless the weather is darn near perfect.

I want a reliable, comfortable plane. Pretty simple. I want to make sure it is not a unicorn that parts are made out of Unobtainium.

 

[Lndwarrior]

Yeah I'm a 55 year old student. I'm just doing this flying thing for fun. I don't think I will get my instrument rating. Literally for going to and from my place in CT to my place in NH and grabbing lunch along the way. I never have to be anywhere so I don't launch unless the weather is darn near perfect.

I want a reliable, comfortable plane. Pretty simple. I want to make sure it is not a unicorn that parts are made out of Unobtainium.

FYI - my personal opinion
/experience is that an IFR rating is only good if you have the time, money, and motivation to keep it continuasly current.

I did learn some things thru the training but almost all of it is perishable if you aren't exercising it regularly.

 

[Gilbert Buettner]

I stopped flying IFR not too long after selling my Bonanza and buying a Cherokee. The Cherokee was legal but not well-equipped, and I found it more and more difficult to stay current, so I finally just decided to let it go. I do think, however, that having the rating gets you more favorable insurance premiums.