flying the TB20
Which does, yours or mine??
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Kendal, UK
About 12 US Gallons
I dont normally go that slooooooow.
It may be a little less than 12US. Its certainly less than a 747!
Best part about a bonanza is that the dashboard doesnt sag in the middle and the switches are not made out of recycled Citroen 2CV's.
No seriously I am sure that the A36 Bonanza is not the most economic of planes to carry four people but it is incredibly well made and equipped and that is nice.
I considered a TB20 or a Cirrus but then when my wife announced our new addition I soon realised I need to look for a six seater and that was that. There isnt much choice when you need the extra seats.
It may be a little less than 12US. Its certainly less than a 747!
Best part about a bonanza is that the dashboard doesnt sag in the middle and the switches are not made out of recycled Citroen 2CV's.
No seriously I am sure that the A36 Bonanza is not the most economic of planes to carry four people but it is incredibly well made and equipped and that is nice.
I considered a TB20 or a Cirrus but then when my wife announced our new addition I soon realised I need to look for a six seater and that was that. There isnt much choice when you need the extra seats.
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: EuroGA.org
I looked at an A36 also. Very nice, but it was about double the price, not significantly faster, and used about 1.5x more fuel at UK-type low levels where the TAS gain isn't much.
I know one can argue for ever about stuff like this and different people have different budgets. The engine fund of a turbo engine is a lot higher. Even little things like a fitted oxygen system cost a fortune on the bi-annual, whereas a portable O2 kit costs nothing.
Current TB20 build quality is actually very good. I don't like the combined circuit breaker / switches but they are reliable and work just fine. The general quality of the electrics is excellent.
The instrument panel doesn't sag in the middle - it's a separate section. All three parts are separately rubber mounted. The vis is way better than any Cessna or Piper I've been in.
What lets a TB20 down is the same thing which lets any current-model aircraft down: crappy American-made avionics which cost an absolute fortune and are unreliable. People moan about their engines not making TBO but for an IFR aircraft, it is quite feasible for one's avionics bill to exceed the engine replacement cost.
I know one can argue for ever about stuff like this and different people have different budgets. The engine fund of a turbo engine is a lot higher. Even little things like a fitted oxygen system cost a fortune on the bi-annual, whereas a portable O2 kit costs nothing.
Current TB20 build quality is actually very good. I don't like the combined circuit breaker / switches but they are reliable and work just fine. The general quality of the electrics is excellent.
The instrument panel doesn't sag in the middle - it's a separate section. All three parts are separately rubber mounted. The vis is way better than any Cessna or Piper I've been in.
What lets a TB20 down is the same thing which lets any current-model aircraft down: crappy American-made avionics which cost an absolute fortune and are unreliable. People moan about their engines not making TBO but for an IFR aircraft, it is quite feasible for one's avionics bill to exceed the engine replacement cost.
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 0
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From: Kendal, UK
TB20 Build
In fairness all the TB20's I have looked at are club aircraft and have stood outside quite a bit but I have never seen one that doesnt have a cheap plastic dashboard and fittings.
There is no comparison between a Beech build quality (shockingly good for an Amercian product as most things they make are crap) and the TB20 but then you are correct that the price is also way more so we are not comparing apples with apples.
I like both planes and would be happy with either really but if I only needed 4 seats it would have to be a Cirrus I am afraid. Then again they are as expensive as a Bonanza!
There is no comparison between a Beech build quality (shockingly good for an Amercian product as most things they make are crap) and the TB20 but then you are correct that the price is also way more so we are not comparing apples with apples.
I like both planes and would be happy with either really but if I only needed 4 seats it would have to be a Cirrus I am afraid. Then again they are as expensive as a Bonanza!
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,648
Likes: 2
From: UK
I looked at an A36 also. Very nice, but it was about double the price, not significantly faster, and used about 1.5x more fuel at UK-type low levels where the TAS gain isn't much.
(If you want to save 50%, you need a Mooney...
)
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 218
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From: cheltenham
Mine is a 250hp and at 70% power 160kts.
the quality and strength of the airframe and undercarriage is exellent.
Not many planes would have survived landing on worthing beach and come away with such little damage.
the quality and strength of the airframe and undercarriage is exellent.
Not many planes would have survived landing on worthing beach and come away with such little damage.
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 0
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From: Kendal, UK
300hp
Not sure what difference it makes to your figures but mine is a 300hp model not a 285hp model.
All Bo's from 1984 were I believe. Mine is a '93.
Mooneys are very nice but look very small compared to a Bonanza or even a TB20. I suspect that is where the extra speed for less power comes from. Very compact cabin around the pilot and very slippery.
I know Mooneys are very frugal.
All Bo's from 1984 were I believe. Mine is a '93.
Mooneys are very nice but look very small compared to a Bonanza or even a TB20. I suspect that is where the extra speed for less power comes from. Very compact cabin around the pilot and very slippery.
I know Mooneys are very frugal.
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 71
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From: Asia
Chartered a wonderful EFIS equipped TB20 in Germany the other month, it had an ADC... the works... even a display for various engine parameters (ie. temps of each cylinder!!!!)... 
Last type I flew was the 744, imagine the grin on my face when I took a first glimpse into the posh cockpit!
Be aware that the EFIS and anti-icing equipment, when fitted, will take close to 100 kg off your published payload!
Last type I flew was the 744, imagine the grin on my face when I took a first glimpse into the posh cockpit!
Be aware that the EFIS and anti-icing equipment, when fitted, will take close to 100 kg off your published payload!
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: EuroGA.org
bookworm
I have to admit that comparison was long before I discovered LOP operation, and that throws a spanner into any comparison, because there are different ways to operate an engine, especially for advertising purposes
I know about the Mooney being very efficient; as others suggest it ought to be. I had by then decided to not go for a single door aircraft.
CruisingSpeed
What do you mean by "EFIS"? Do you mean it had an EHSI (a Sandel or Honeywell colour LCD HSI replacement) or just a plain HSI?
The ADC (Shadin air data computer) is an option at around £5000; it tells you the TAS, the wind, and some sort of corrected OAT. The engine display was probably an EDM700 (£3000 or so) which is pretty well essential for engine management if one wants to avoid wasting a load of fuel.
Sounds like the anti-ice was the full TKS. That's about £25000 extra THAT will mess up the W&B, but the other stuff won't.
I have to admit that comparison was long before I discovered LOP operation, and that throws a spanner into any comparison, because there are different ways to operate an engine, especially for advertising purposes
I know about the Mooney being very efficient; as others suggest it ought to be. I had by then decided to not go for a single door aircraft.
CruisingSpeed
What do you mean by "EFIS"? Do you mean it had an EHSI (a Sandel or Honeywell colour LCD HSI replacement) or just a plain HSI?
The ADC (Shadin air data computer) is an option at around £5000; it tells you the TAS, the wind, and some sort of corrected OAT. The engine display was probably an EDM700 (£3000 or so) which is pretty well essential for engine management if one wants to avoid wasting a load of fuel.
Sounds like the anti-ice was the full TKS. That's about £25000 extra
THAT will mess up the W&B, but the other stuff won't.
