I need to correct one bit of information stated here. All Sundowners has a 180hp O-360 engine, not the IO-360 engine. There was a Super Musketeer made for a few years with the 200hp IO-360. And all Sierras had the 200hp IO-360. Also, early Musketeers came with three different engines - the O-320 on the 1963 model, the Continental IO-346 in the "A" models and Lycoming O-360 in the "B" models. The transition the name "Sundowner" happened around 1970 or 1971. The later Sundowners are all "C" models that have the O-360 as well.
Insurance is an issue these days for retracts. Thus, Musketeers with fixed gear (and Fuel Injection) such as the Super III are ideal (other than Mooney and Cirrus PIO/Crow Hopping similarities).
Corrections: Not IO-360, it’s O-360. Landing gear is trailing link, no getting used to, no bounce unless you force landing like any plane. Burns 10 gal hour. Cruise is 110kts solid @ 10 gph. No elevator, it’s a stabilator. G5 is not backup, it is primary attitude. Not throttle and mixture levers, they are vernier knobs. One of the other partners is 6’4” and fits comfortably. 110kts is 127mph.
Thanks for the tour of the Sundowner. When I was in the market for a plane, it was on my list. I never could find any walkarounds until now. Thanks again!
I had a 1963 B23 (Musketeer) for many years. Very forgiving, economical and reliable trainer with 160HP Lycoming power that carries a fairly big load. The biggest difference between the Musketeer and the Sundowner is the left side door. Controls are solid rods (as opposed to cables), and proper maintenance of the rod-end bearings is ESSENTIAL (but easy.) Free-swiveling nose gear, unlike the Cherokee. I like this system better for its simplicity and lower maintenance. Fuel capacity is 10 gal more than the Cherokee. Most parts are still readily available. A good (old-timer) mechanic is an absolute must, but anyone who knows the Cherokee line will feel right at home working on these older Beech models. It's a simple, straight-forward plane. Mine cost me about $8700, and I sold it about 15 years later for the same money.
I trained on Cessnas and later Pipers but once flew a Beechcraft Skipper T-tail, in performance somewhere between a Cessna 150 and a 172 and clearly well built. I found it easy to fly and with a great view outside.
Love the Sundowner. My first ever ride in a GA aircraft was in a Sundowner with my high school astronomy teacher. My first solo was in a Sundowner, 1017L, at Tradewind Airport in Amarillo, TX, in 1979.
I have a lot of memories...my flight training...my PPL...my flights around Chicago. It was my favorite airplane and I got more than 130 hours in 4 different Sundowners.
Experience taught me add a tiny bit of throttle in the flair for smooth nose-high touchdowns. All of those series are nose-heavy and the elevators do not have enough authority. The tweak of throttle manages that. A rear CG makes it easier to land also, but I hear the nose is heavy to prevent inadvertent spins. That nose-heavy also hurts the top speed.
"Take that Piper"...grrrreat Mike! This was truly a humorous and well done video Mike! With your sense of humor I think it was one of your best! I want to point out something to you though that you probably already know and I'm sure others know out there as well but every panel on an airplane is beautiful! I am very fond of the steam gauges and their look but that is partly due to my age. I'm 59. I am not old but I'm old enough to have trained back when Garmin wasn't even a blip on the radar. That being said some glass does have its place and I use a modern-day GPS in my experimental aircraft and the particular design that I fly was designed back in 1954 and has quite a history behind it. My example was built in the year 2002 or rather first flown in 2002 by the builder. Again Mike,, great video and well done on the details of an often-overlooked aircraft! My congratulations to the owner as well. He has a very sharp looking aircraft and it can give him many years of service if he chooses not to slide over to something else. Now for a question... Have you ever thought about doing a review on a piper PA 22 150? I put many hours in one of those and it is a throwback to an aviation era that was just beginning to expand the envelope and the venerable Tri-Pacer was considered a true cross country aircraft. Still is by those of us that love them even though I have moved over to a different type of airplane now. As I have mentioned before,, I have flown many types of aircraft and have the various ratings that come with years of flying though I never have done it commercially because I never wanted anyone to tell me when I had to fly or when I couldn't. Call it a control issue I guess! Still with all the fancy stuff I have flown and some of them beautiful, to me aviating is about the simplest of aircraft and the pleasures one gets from going somewhere in a work of art of aviation that they can call their own.
You are absolutely correct and the Sundowner is a well kept secret, or was! I restored and operated a 73 up to a few years ago. But if buying be sure to check out full AD and SB compliance on the forward spar attachment fittings. In addition get a borescope inspection internally of the flaps as they are prone to holding water and corrode internally real bad to the point where I have seen some destroy the frames. Trailing link gear works well if maintained and unfortunately some are not. Good solid does what it says on the tin Beechcraft 👍
I currently own a 1981 beechcraft sundowner. It's a great starter airplane. It flys better than a cessna to me. The landing takes a little more practice because the sundowner is nose heavy but once you master it your good. I added 45lbs of weight to the baggage compartment to correct the weight and balance. Good video Mike.
I recently purchased a 1975 Beechcraft Sierra B24!! It's basically the same plane but with a 200hp engine and retract gear. I wish you guys could have flown the plane together and make a video on that.
I fly a '63 Musketeer. Like the Sundowner, a delight to fly, cavernous interior, Beechcraft build quality. Also like the Sundowner, slow and intolerant of sloppy landings. I view the flying range as limited by biology, not by fuel. :-)
limited by biology I'm guessing that you are talking about fella's like me.....170lb when I got my licence back in 91.....39 years on...suddenly 253lb!!!!!!!
@@aaronbrown6266 They have rubber doughnuts for suspension and that combined with landing attitude (angle) means that if you come in too hot or land nose wheel first things can get out of hand quickly. Not a killer but you have to watch your numbers and be ready to go around.
I'm currently evaluating a 1974 Sundowner for purchase. Well, actually, it's a Musketeer but it was upgraded to be effectively a Sundowner. The only practical difference is that it doesn't have the third window on each side. One thing to note is that it has a narrower CG envelope than, say, a Cessna 172. Depending on how much weight is in the front seats, and how much fuel you're carrying, you may actually need to put some weight in the baggage compartment as ballast.
I did end up purchasing that plane. I can fly it with full tanks (though I've only filled it to 40 gallons so far) without ballast. I haven't taken anyone else yet but, when I do, I'll likely put some weight in the baggage compartment. I picked up a pair of 25 lb. bags of shot originally designed for use on wakeboarding boats. But they're perfect for this, with handles and d-rings I can use to better secure them. I've only flown it three times so far, the first time with an instructor for insurance purposes and because it's just a good idea. But I've already fallen in love with it and I'm looking forward to building time in it, as well as taking friends and family flying with me.
I wonder who wound up owning my 9355 S, that I bought in 1985 from a c5 galaxy pilot from Seattle. Finally sold it in 1990 I believe. I had it hangared in Dunkirk,NY
I enjoy your reviews, but may I make a suggestion? Try and create a logical template to follow. For reference, check out how Doug DeMuro reviews cars. He has a formula he follows every time. It's logical and easy to follow. I also like Flying Doodles. In his plane review videos, not only does the owner do most of the talking, but they also fly. Importantly, he also spends a few minutes in the beginning of the video to give context to the plane: years built, numbers built, etc. I think a hybrid of these two approaches would net GREAT content and excellent information. Thanks for the content and keep grinding.
Mike! my man! you're back!!! thank you brother, cool video, and exactly why some of us follow you. Stay safe brother, the best for you and your family!
This example is beautiful in its own way; every crack and stain tells the story of its history, although my wife would take one look at the condition and refuse to get in!
I believe Beechcraft intended to make their "Skipper" a trainer aircraft. I took a flight in one in 1985. Don't know what happened there but Skipper was discontinued(?) soon after it was introduced. The Sundowner is a "Tank" IMO. PS edit, only 300+ Skippers were built!!! A rare one. The web says the big downturn in 1980s GA killed it.
Man the addition of a door on the pilot's side really can't be understated - having to clamber over the passenger seat in a tight cockpit like in the Archer gets old really quickly lol
Hello. I like the previous comment about getting a flow down for your videos similar to FlyingDoodles. Either way I love the airplane. How is the kit build coming along. I saw you wanted the interior black, what about the outside? Any sketches of what it will look like?
For those who want more detailed into about the Musketeer, Sundowner, Sport, Sierra series join beechaeroclub.org. 700+ members supporting this fine airplane. MG: Thanks for the great walkaround and fair commentary.
Nice job Mike! The Sundowner looks a lot more stout than a Cessna or Piper. The landing gear should really take a beating. 11 GPH for 100 knots is a lot of fuel though. I had a couple of Cherokees that burned about 9 gph at 100 knots. The range is enormous but as someone said---most human bladders can't last that long! Of course the big issue with the P28's is the wing spar AD. But with purchase prices in the 40's, Sundowners a lot cheaper than many 172's these days.
If you are interested in buying one of these type of Beech models, do yourself a favor and join the Beech Aero Club. Its a type club that covers these specific Beech aircraft. Best $50 spent in aviation. You will learn a lot from experts and perhaps save yourself some serious money if you decide to purchase one of these fine aircraft.
Beautiful plane. 180 HP seems kinda overkill for a trainer that you are building time in though. Nice to have 4 seats though I’d you want to bring family. As always there are trade offs.
Shh Sundowners are supposed to be kept secret. I have a huge majority of my 1200 hours in C23s and B19s, and I can't buy one down the road if you keep hyping them up ;) These things are great for training. I tell my students that if you can land a Beech, you can land anything.
I preface this acknowledging I am NOT a Pilot. Just trying to figure out the math as far as range goes. Even using the 11GPH. So 58 gallons / 11GPH = 5.27 hours of flight time. at (X) 120 MPH cruising speed = 632 miles. if it were 12GPH the range would be 580 miles. Obviously the range is calculated differently for planes. How so?
Never mind, I went to the website www.aopa.org/go-fly/aircraft-and-ownership/aircraft-fact-sheets/beechcraft-sundowner and according to them, the range is 550 nautical miles which equals 632 statute miles. I can't believe I had such a hard time with math in HS.
Couple of things. - Not all the fuel is usable. So likely usable fuel is 50 gal or so. - Drag goes up by square of speed => more power => a lot more fuel use for just a little more speed => actual less range. It’s a curve (depending on weight/temp etc). The engine/airplane owners manual has all sorts of charts to help you make the trade off for speed/range.
I'm pretty surprised with the financing options for planes, just curious (question for really anyone who has experience buying a plane) is $282.13 a month something someone (if so who?) can realistically expect for a $42,000 USD 1975 BEECHCRAFT C23 SUNDOWNER 180? I'm only 15 and have no experience financing anything and I obviously have no line of credit and no experience flying, but a general fascination towards aviation (I purchased a demo flight and I'm going to take it as soon as the pandemic allows for it). I'm definitely not planning on buying a plane any time soon by any means but looking up some of these planes for sale has really sparked some curiosity in me.
Huge difference between Beechcraft and Piper, comparing Chevy vs Cadillac. He was wrong, fuel burn is 10gph and the cabin has more room than anything in its class.
Two doors=twice as many places to leak, with resulting later corrosion inside. The landing gear feature a stack of rubber donuts as shock absorbers. They never leak. But I had the misfortune to have to change a set on a Sierra once. You have to rent a special tool from Beech and they will charge you an $1800 deposit to use it. Good luck.
@@michaeldunlevie9880 That may be, but I would rather repair/rebuild 50 oleo struts than ever do one rubber biscuit one again. But, I'm retired now, so I don't have to. LOL.
I have a few hours in one that belonged to a friend and they feel a lot more solid on the ground taxiing than a 172. They are also very tight-you need to open the little vent door on the window before you shut the door to let the pressure out. Very nice flying-you don't feel batted around by the wind as much as in a 172. Ailerons are very good and it goes where you point it. A little nose-heavy, that stabilator has a lot of control authority though. You can get them aerobatic as well-one of the advantages of having two doors. My friend's had a cageable gyro. Being a 172 driver though, the one thing I couldn't get used to was selecting tanks and using a fuel pump. The two doors are the nicest feature for me-I just get claustrophic in Pipers.
I have a friend selling a fully restored Beech Sundowner with all new Avionics panel, beautiful paint and interior for $43k! Needs an annual and an engine overhaul in a couple hundred hours but a beautiful aircraft. Hit me up for details....
Trailing link gear, uncommon on light aircraft. What are you doing for that kind of fuel burn? 1500' rich, and wide open? I had a cutlass with the same power plant averaged 8-9 gph. Under sung family of planes. Not a bo, and not as common as a skyhawk.
#Hi buddy.. plz give me an idea.. I'm an #Electronic Engineer ...i want to get helicopter pilot license what is the cost? and which place and institute cheap plz let me know..😊😊😊
I need to correct one bit of information stated here. All Sundowners has a 180hp O-360 engine, not the IO-360 engine. There was a Super Musketeer made for a few years with the 200hp IO-360. And all Sierras had the 200hp IO-360. Also, early Musketeers came with three different engines - the O-320 on the 1963 model, the Continental IO-346 in the "A" models and Lycoming O-360 in the "B" models. The transition the name "Sundowner" happened around 1970 or 1971. The later Sundowners are all "C" models that have the O-360 as well.
Correct!
The next step up from the Sundowner was the Sierra. 200 HP, constant speed prop, retractable gear. Also a great flying plane.
I got to fly one once on a ferry flight. It was great.
Insurance is an issue these days for retracts. Thus, Musketeers with fixed gear (and Fuel Injection) such as the Super III are ideal (other than Mooney and Cirrus PIO/Crow Hopping similarities).
Corrections: Not IO-360, it’s O-360. Landing gear is trailing link, no getting used to, no bounce unless you force landing like any plane. Burns 10 gal hour. Cruise is 110kts solid @ 10 gph. No elevator, it’s a stabilator. G5 is not backup, it is primary attitude. Not throttle and mixture levers, they are vernier knobs. One of the other partners is 6’4” and fits comfortably. 110kts is 127mph.
Thanks for the tour of the Sundowner. When I was in the market for a plane, it was on my list. I never could find any walkarounds until now. Thanks again!
I had a 1963 B23 (Musketeer) for many years. Very forgiving, economical and reliable trainer with 160HP Lycoming power that carries a fairly big load. The biggest difference between the Musketeer and the Sundowner is the left side door. Controls are solid rods (as opposed to cables), and proper maintenance of the rod-end bearings is ESSENTIAL (but easy.) Free-swiveling nose gear, unlike the Cherokee. I like this system better for its simplicity and lower maintenance. Fuel capacity is 10 gal more than the Cherokee. Most parts are still readily available. A good (old-timer) mechanic is an absolute must, but anyone who knows the Cherokee line will feel right at home working on these older Beech models. It's a simple, straight-forward plane. Mine cost me about $8700, and I sold it about 15 years later for the same money.
I trained on Cessnas and later Pipers but once flew a Beechcraft Skipper T-tail, in performance somewhere between a Cessna 150 and a 172 and clearly well built. I found it easy to fly and with a great view outside.
Love the Sundowner. My first ever ride in a GA aircraft was in a Sundowner with my high school astronomy teacher. My first solo was in a Sundowner, 1017L, at Tradewind Airport in Amarillo, TX, in 1979.
What's up Mike! Small world. I was flying with my dad the other day and saw this Sundowner at LZU!
I owned a Sundowner back in the mid '80s ... I loved that airplane!
Cracks me up when you say, "Very neat, nothing special here."
I have a lot of memories...my flight training...my PPL...my flights around Chicago. It was my favorite airplane and I got more than 130 hours in 4 different Sundowners.
Experience taught me add a tiny bit of throttle in the flair for smooth nose-high touchdowns. All of those series are nose-heavy and the elevators do not have enough authority. The tweak of throttle manages that. A rear CG makes it easier to land also, but I hear the nose is heavy to prevent inadvertent spins. That nose-heavy also hurts the top speed.
how happy to see your channel grow over the years. subscribed when I was a student. Thank you for your hard work :)
love the sundowner. Hope to buy one or a piper warrior (91 hrs.) within the next year. Thanks for the info.
"Take that Piper"...grrrreat Mike!
This was truly a humorous and well done video Mike! With your sense of humor I think it was one of your best!
I want to point out something to you though that you probably already know and I'm sure others know out there as well but every panel on an airplane is beautiful! I am very fond of the steam gauges and their look but that is partly due to my age. I'm 59. I am not old but I'm old enough to have trained back when Garmin wasn't even a blip on the radar.
That being said some glass does have its place and I use a modern-day GPS in my experimental aircraft and the particular design that I fly was designed back in 1954 and has quite a history behind it. My example was built in the year 2002 or rather first flown in 2002 by the builder.
Again Mike,, great video and well done on the details of an often-overlooked aircraft! My congratulations to the owner as well. He has a very sharp looking aircraft and it can give him many years of service if he chooses not to slide over to something else.
Now for a question... Have you ever thought about doing a review on a piper PA 22 150? I put many hours in one of those and it is a throwback to an aviation era that was just beginning to expand the envelope and the venerable Tri-Pacer was considered a true cross country aircraft. Still is by those of us that love them even though I have moved over to a different type of airplane now.
As I have mentioned before,, I have flown many types of aircraft and have the various ratings that come with years of flying though I never have done it commercially because I never wanted anyone to tell me when I had to fly or when I couldn't. Call it a control issue I guess! Still with all the fancy stuff I have flown and some of them beautiful, to me aviating is about the simplest of aircraft and the pleasures one gets from going somewhere in a work of art of aviation that they can call their own.
Love how packed with info these vids are - thanks!
It's a pretty plane with adequate function. Good time builder.
"Take that, Piper!" LOL
Also, an IO-360 with carb heat? That's new.
It’s an O-360
You are absolutely correct and the Sundowner is a well kept secret, or was! I restored and operated a 73 up to a few years ago. But if buying be sure to check out full AD and SB compliance on the forward spar attachment fittings. In addition get a borescope inspection internally of the flaps as they are prone to holding water and corrode internally real bad to the point where I have seen some destroy the frames. Trailing link gear works well if maintained and unfortunately some are not. Good solid does what it says on the tin Beechcraft 👍
I currently own a 1981 beechcraft sundowner. It's a great starter airplane. It flys better than a cessna to me. The landing takes a little more practice because the sundowner is nose heavy but once you master it your good. I added 45lbs of weight to the baggage compartment to correct the weight and balance. Good video Mike.
I recently purchased a 1975 Beechcraft Sierra B24!! It's basically the same plane but with a 200hp engine and retract gear. I wish you guys could have flown the plane together and make a video on that.
I fly a '63 Musketeer. Like the Sundowner, a delight to fly, cavernous interior, Beechcraft build quality. Also like the Sundowner, slow and intolerant of sloppy landings.
I view the flying range as limited by biology, not by fuel. :-)
limited by biology
I'm guessing that you are talking about fella's like me.....170lb when I got my licence back in 91.....39 years on...suddenly 253lb!!!!!!!
The prostate factor. ;)
Tell me more about the intolerance of sloppy landings, please?
@@aaronbrown6266 They porpoise a lot easier than comparable planes (PA28, 172, etc.).
@@aaronbrown6266 They have rubber doughnuts for suspension and that combined with landing attitude (angle) means that if you come in too hot or land nose wheel first things can get out of hand quickly. Not a killer but you have to watch your numbers and be ready to go around.
All the good partnerships are away from FTY…You ever think about a Beechcraft 35? Lovely bird and robust after the initial required AD from the manf!
I'm currently evaluating a 1974 Sundowner for purchase. Well, actually, it's a Musketeer but it was upgraded to be effectively a Sundowner. The only practical difference is that it doesn't have the third window on each side. One thing to note is that it has a narrower CG envelope than, say, a Cessna 172. Depending on how much weight is in the front seats, and how much fuel you're carrying, you may actually need to put some weight in the baggage compartment as ballast.
I did end up purchasing that plane. I can fly it with full tanks (though I've only filled it to 40 gallons so far) without ballast. I haven't taken anyone else yet but, when I do, I'll likely put some weight in the baggage compartment. I picked up a pair of 25 lb. bags of shot originally designed for use on wakeboarding boats. But they're perfect for this, with handles and d-rings I can use to better secure them.
I've only flown it three times so far, the first time with an instructor for insurance purposes and because it's just a good idea. But I've already fallen in love with it and I'm looking forward to building time in it, as well as taking friends and family flying with me.
I wonder who wound up owning my 9355 S, that I bought in 1985 from a c5 galaxy pilot from Seattle. Finally sold it in 1990 I believe. I had it hangared in Dunkirk,NY
Got my privates in a Beech Sport, instrument in a Sundowner and commercial multi in a Duchess.
I enjoy your reviews, but may I make a suggestion? Try and create a logical template to follow. For reference, check out how Doug DeMuro reviews cars. He has a formula he follows every time. It's logical and easy to follow. I also like Flying Doodles. In his plane review videos, not only does the owner do most of the talking, but they also fly. Importantly, he also spends a few minutes in the beginning of the video to give context to the plane: years built, numbers built, etc. I think a hybrid of these two approaches would net GREAT content and excellent information.
Thanks for the content and keep grinding.
Noted! Appreciate the feedback Christian.
I flew the Beech Sport back in early 90’s slow but so easy to fly.
Mike! my man! you're back!!! thank you brother, cool video, and exactly why some of us follow you. Stay safe brother, the best for you and your family!
That's what I learned on back in the 90's. It's what the U of Illinois aviation program started us on.
That spinner looks like on of those rocket bras from the 50s.
Thank you for keeping the spirit alive.
My first plane. I still love the Sundowner.
This example is beautiful in its own way; every crack and stain tells the story of its history, although my wife would take one look at the condition and refuse to get in!
You should see my bird... when I saw this one I thought she looks sweet haha
First thing I remind people of who are skeptical of old aircraft, how the hell do you think she got this old?
Love your reviews! been eyeballing one for me and my son for training and beyond.
I think I owned N9743L in the late ‘80s in New Hampshire.
Used to have yellow and black stripe, I’ve been managing it for about eight years.
My brother not only a good video ..but thanx for posting with a mask ..it keeps it all in perspective
Curtis Stapleton 😐
@@MultiFisherofmen .what
I believe Beechcraft intended to make their "Skipper" a trainer aircraft. I took a flight in one in 1985. Don't know what happened there but Skipper was discontinued(?) soon after it was introduced. The Sundowner is a "Tank" IMO. PS edit, only 300+ Skippers were built!!! A rare one. The web says the big downturn in 1980s GA killed it.
I've always been a fan of Beech over cessna and piper. Love this review, thanks for the well presented info
I have started looking at the Sundowner to buy as a first-time plane owner and to build time. Looking for an IFR equipped one.
I dont see many of us brothers out here as pilots. Big respect to you bro and stay safe.
Joey Thompson I agrée and it is so good to see. Thanks Mike.
Exactly 💯
Man the addition of a door on the pilot's side really can't be understated - having to clamber over the passenger seat in a tight cockpit like in the Archer gets old really quickly lol
Hello. I like the previous comment about getting a flow down for your videos similar to FlyingDoodles. Either way I love the airplane. How is the kit build coming along. I saw you wanted the interior black, what about the outside? Any sketches of what it will look like?
For those who want more detailed into about the Musketeer, Sundowner, Sport, Sierra series join beechaeroclub.org. 700+ members supporting this fine airplane. MG: Thanks for the great walkaround and fair commentary.
Took my first flights on one of these! N8823S.
ELT antenna is that one at the forward edge of the dorsal fin fairing. Maybe you were thinking of the ADS-B or transponder antenna?
Interesting plane. And great video. Thanks for sharing.
Nice job Mike! The Sundowner looks a lot more stout than a Cessna or Piper. The landing gear should really take a beating. 11 GPH for 100 knots is a lot of fuel though. I had a couple of Cherokees that burned about 9 gph at 100 knots. The range is enormous but as someone said---most human bladders can't last that long! Of course the big issue with the P28's is the wing spar AD. But with purchase prices in the 40's, Sundowners a lot cheaper than many 172's these days.
It’s 10gph at 110kts. His numbers were off.
The only Beech single I've ever been in was a Sundowner. Cool little airplane.
They're cool little planes. Baby Bonanzas
This plane is neat AF!
ELT is in the tail on mine. Has a test button on the right side of the fuselage, but then again; mine is a 1980 vintage.
Pinch down on that metal across the bridge of your knows to get a better seal on the N95 mask! Great videos!
Knows. Nice suggestion genius.
Hint: the bright colors indicate a fresh paint job to hide the cracks.
That makes zero sense, most older aircraft have been repainted at least once.
Haha started with the Sport then Sundowner. Flew Sierra for complex hours.
If you are interested in buying one of these type of Beech models, do yourself a favor and join the Beech Aero Club. Its a type club that covers these specific Beech aircraft. Best $50 spent in aviation. You will learn a lot from experts and perhaps save yourself some serious money if you decide to purchase one of these fine aircraft.
That's a nice little airplane.
180-H.P., 3-blade prop and wheel pants would increase ramp appeal imho.
Nice MOJOGRIP, I got my first flight and my PPL in a Sundowner/sport from college at the Univ of Illinois‘Fighting Illini’. Great beginner aircraft!
These airplanes are the best bang for the buck, and they are extremely well built with very few AD’s
Very informative video. Tks,,
Beautiful plane. 180 HP seems kinda overkill for a trainer that you are building time in though. Nice to have 4 seats though I’d you want to bring family. As always there are trade offs.
Thanks for the vid. Can you tell me What are some common issues with these planes?
Virgin msg board. I’ll have a look out in Aus for them. Normally see Cessnas everywhere. Would need a door mod to skydive out of
I'm really becoming a fan of Beechcraft planes. Nice to see they have a lower end model, tho I'd love to own a Bonanza someday. SOMEDAY! :)
Hi Mike...Fly with your plane to brazil and we will have a nice barbecue. Congratulations on the great job man but I love your videos.
Hi mike, i have a question. Will the prices of an used aircraft be affected by the current global issue of covid19??
Not likely. It's such a niche market that I don't think there will be any changes
Nice airplane. I was hoping you would have gotten into the fixed prop pitch design as you said you would have later in the video.
In the cockpit you could only see the throttle and fuel mixture controls
cracks me up. you say Leaver instead of lever. LOL
and it's not even a lever, it's a push-pull thing
My dad had one of these and I flew it a few times lol
That's a nice plane 👍
They are great planes to fly.
The musketeer only has one door but the sundowner has two, right?
Shh Sundowners are supposed to be kept secret. I have a huge majority of my 1200 hours in C23s and B19s, and I can't buy one down the road if you keep hyping them up ;) These things are great for training. I tell my students that if you can land a Beech, you can land anything.
11:30
"We're both pretty big guys too"
Big guys> Yes.
Pretty? I'll leave that up to the ladies to decide lol
what website do you recomend to look for planes for sale?
Is that a Horizontal stabilator ??
I preface this acknowledging I am NOT a Pilot. Just trying to figure out the math as far as range goes. Even using the 11GPH. So 58 gallons / 11GPH = 5.27 hours of flight time. at (X) 120 MPH cruising speed = 632 miles. if it were 12GPH the range would be 580 miles. Obviously the range is calculated differently for planes. How so?
Never mind, I went to the website www.aopa.org/go-fly/aircraft-and-ownership/aircraft-fact-sheets/beechcraft-sundowner and according to them, the range is 550 nautical miles which equals 632 statute miles. I can't believe I had such a hard time with math in HS.
Couple of things.
- Not all the fuel is usable. So likely usable fuel is 50 gal or so.
- Drag goes up by square of speed => more power => a lot more fuel use for just a little more speed => actual less range.
It’s a curve (depending on weight/temp etc).
The engine/airplane owners manual has all sorts of charts to help you make the trade off for speed/range.
IT look kind of like a Sling 4. about the same size also.
I'm pretty surprised with the financing options for planes, just curious (question for really anyone who has experience buying a plane) is $282.13 a month something someone (if so who?) can realistically expect for a $42,000 USD 1975 BEECHCRAFT C23 SUNDOWNER 180? I'm only 15 and have no experience financing anything and I obviously have no line of credit and no experience flying, but a general fascination towards aviation (I purchased a demo flight and I'm going to take it as soon as the pandemic allows for it). I'm definitely not planning on buying a plane any time soon by any means but looking up some of these planes for sale has really sparked some curiosity in me.
Nice plane but, all I see is a two door piper 140 that burns 2 GPH more.
It's a shame it doesn't get a better cruise speed to make up the difference !
Huge difference between Beechcraft and Piper, comparing Chevy vs Cadillac. He was wrong, fuel burn is 10gph and the cabin has more room than anything in its class.
Kudos on the owner for not wearing a ridiculous mask 🙄
Very nice!!
I did not trim for the plane?
ever seen a T tailed bonanza?...i have...and the the proposed twin engine staggerwing.
Two doors=twice as many places to leak, with resulting later corrosion inside. The landing gear feature a stack of rubber donuts as shock absorbers. They never leak. But I had the misfortune to have to change a set on a Sierra once. You have to rent a special tool from Beech and they will charge you an $1800 deposit to use it. Good luck.
Members in Beech Aero Club have the tool for fixed and retracts at less than 10% of that!
@@michaeldunlevie9880 That may be, but I would rather repair/rebuild 50 oleo struts than ever do one rubber biscuit one again. But, I'm retired now, so I don't have to. LOL.
How does it compare the the C172 or PA-28s for noise, comfort?
I have a few hours in one that belonged to a friend and they feel a lot more solid on the ground taxiing than a 172. They are also very tight-you need to open the little vent door on the window before you shut the door to let the pressure out. Very nice flying-you don't feel batted around by the wind as much as in a 172. Ailerons are very good and it goes where you point it. A little nose-heavy, that stabilator has a lot of control authority though. You can get them aerobatic as well-one of the advantages of having two doors. My friend's had a cageable gyro. Being a 172 driver though, the one thing I couldn't get used to was selecting tanks and using a fuel pump. The two doors are the nicest feature for me-I just get claustrophic in Pipers.
I have a friend selling a fully restored Beech Sundowner with all new Avionics panel, beautiful paint and interior for $43k! Needs an annual and an engine overhaul in a couple hundred hours but a beautiful aircraft. Hit me up for details....
Nicholas Dawson Where is it.?
dave davo Dave, The aircraft is currently located in Bowling Green, KY at KBWG.
how much isit?
Trailing link gear, uncommon on light aircraft. What are you doing for that kind of fuel burn? 1500' rich, and wide open? I had a cutlass with the same power plant averaged 8-9 gph. Under sung family of planes. Not a bo, and not as common as a skyhawk.
But how does it fly?
...Got my Private in a Sundowner N812Y ';-)
Helicopter enhancing audio it sounds like.
What about the sport?
How many hours do you have now?
Can you test drive a cessna with a V8? Hola from Russia
You know whaam saying
#Hi buddy.. plz give me an idea.. I'm an #Electronic Engineer ...i want to get helicopter pilot license what is the cost? and which place and institute cheap plz let me know..😊😊😊
Taking first class in one
Flown a musketeer but never a sundowner
Mike