december 2011 volume 11 • number 12 - American Bonanza Society

www.bonanza.orgKen Babione is not only airport manager at theEastern Sierra Regional Airport at Bishop, he is also amaster photographer. He has taken many pictures ofN54DG, including the pictures for this article. He postssome of his photographs on a stock photo site, where theyCUSTOM ENGINEOVERHAULSNEAR CHICAGO“A TOP RATED SHOP” – Aviation Consumer, March 2010Flat Rate Prop Strike Inspections and RepairsDynamic Propeller Balancing While You WaitFinancing AvailableFAA Repair Station YYBR664L800-397-8181 815-544-2300www.poplargroveairmotive.com e-mail: dallen@poplargroveairmotive.com11619 Rt. 76, Poplar Grove, IL 61065can be purchased for commercial use. Between Ken’sphotography and her unique color, N54DG has gracedthe pages of numerous aviation magazines. She appearedin EAA’s Sport Aviation, and was the cover photo for theJuly 2008 issue of Aviation Safety to help illustrate one ofour own Tom Turner’s arti-­cles. (Tom didn’t know inadvance, because the magazineadded the picturesafter he had submitted thearticle.) And N54DG hasbeen in numerous advertisementsin ABS Magazine– most recently on theinside cover adver tisementfor Falcon Insurance.I have flown N54DGalmost 1400 hours. The airframenow has just under2800 hours total time, andthe engine is 320 hoursfrom recom mended TBO.Trips are for busi ness andpleasure, and include all ofthe western and mid-westernstates. Additionally, I haveflown several times to Louisiana – where my daughterattends LSU’s School of Public Health. The latest tripswere to Tullahoma, Tennessee, for a spring board meetingand for this fall’s Beech Party at the BeechcraftHeritage Museum.Sue and I want to fly the perimeter of the 48 states,and also to fly to Alaska. These trips are in the planningstages. But maybe an upgrade to an IO-550B first! Andthen, perhaps….Finally, N54DG would not be Beech of the Monthwithout the wonderful help of Bob Nelson and Bill Youngat Nelson Aviation in San Luis Obispo, California; RodPhilbrick of Hangar One Aviation in Bishop, California;the great assistance of ABS and its staff, the participantson the Beech Owners Mailing List, and all of my aviationfriends. Thanks to all of you!Peter Tracy is theCity Attorney for theCity of Bishop,California. He alsohas a private practice.Peter is an ATP withASMEL/ASES/Gliderratings, and is alsoa CFII. He hasaccumulated 6300hours total time.12 AMERICAN BONANZA SOCIETY DECEMBER 2011