Sundowner

[sidestickbob]

Hi, I'm thinking of buying a light aircraft and am presently looking closely at a Beech Sundowner based on the south coast.

I've never flown a Sundowner so I would like to "try before I buy" as it were. I live in the midlands and I was wondering if anyone has a Sundowner locally that I could fly. I would be willing to pay of course.

Cheers

[westhawk]

Well first off, Sundowners were built by Beechcraft. Model C-23. Like the B-19 Sport and C-24R Sierra, the 'downer derives from the earlier Musketeer. Solid enough airplanes they all are, just a little low on performance considering the horsepower. I agree you should definitely fly one before you decide if this is the type to buy.

westhawk

[cambioso]

Caution Bob..........Spares and maintenance could be very expensive or even impossible to source for this type. I suggest that you ask some very direct questions about this subject.

[gordon field]

Cambioso: You make a sweeping statement, if so what do you have any direct experience as an owner or maintainer of such an aircraft?

[cambioso]

Oh Gaaawd.....................
No, of course I don't, not many people will have experience of operating them will they?? This is precisely my point........There aren't many of them out there. Ergo.....
Caution Bob..........Spares and maintenance could be very expensive or even impossible to source for this type. I suggest that you ask some very direct questions about this subject.

[stilton]

Funny, I learned to fly in a Musketeer and a Sundowner.


Great memories of both, it's a solid dependable and comfortable Aircraft.
Not that fast but a a great machine, in a different league to comparable light Aircraft.

[toolboxstickers]

I'm a licenced engineer, and I was looking after a Sundowner or similar Beech model some years ago. A fibreglass wingtip was broken one time, and I had no problem in getting a new one from my usual supplier.
Maintenance on any Beech should be straight forward for any competent workshop, and I don't see any reason why spares should be a particular problem- the engine spares would be standard Lycoming/Continental, and airframe parts ordered in from the US, same as for a Piper or Cessna.
I can recommend the place where I work now- send me a PM if you like.