October 2005 - American Bonanza Society

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Scot CookCheyenne. Wyoming1953 C MODELne could say that my Bonanza~obsession started as a child. 1 was13 when my father introduced meto the world of flying. I began privatepilot lessons early and had wellover 20 hours by the time 1 was 14.Unable to solo because of my age, 1slowly ventured away from flying, onlyto return 20 years later with that bugthat never seems to leave an aviationenthusiast's blood. 1 knew 1 had to completemy private pilot license before ourson was born or the chance would onceagain escape me.While completing my training, Ihad been in the market for my first airplane.Looking back to my childhood, Iremembered how my father alwaysadmired the V-tail Bonanza, pointingthem out wherever we went. I wanted amodern pl ane-fast yet economical,stylish and sophisticated, but most ofall, practical and affordable.I purchased N 1904, a 1953 CModel, two months before receiving mylicense. J had the plane ferried backfrom Tennessee and left it with BobGates Aviation in Ft. Collins, Colorado,while J completed my training.1 knew 1 was into it right-back ofbook value-and thus could afford tocomplete a few additions tailored to mypersonal liking. As all aircraft ownershave discovered, it's amazing how fastone can spend money on an airplanewithout even trying.As my equity in the plane was fastapproaching the breakeven point, I hadto make an ultimate decision: Do J quithere, fl y NI904 and enjoy it? Or do Icustomize it to my liking, forego theequity and complete it for personal sat-Andrea and Scot Cook with their highly customized C ModeJ Bonanzo.isfaction and enjoyment? I guess thephotos in this article answer that.When N 1904 first entered the shopat Bob Gates, it was just to fix a fewsquawks, leather-wrap the yokes, and doa few miscellaneous upgrades. By thetime it came home to my hangar, 13months had passed, during which time Ispe nt countless hours on research-readingmagazines, talking to Bonanza ownersand many days looking at other ai rcraft while do llars magically disappeared.Now that it is complete and I havemy masterpiece, my aviation dream hascome true, and I am sure my father iswatching and smiling as I visit him onmy escapades through the clouds.Today, 1904 is more along thelines of my personal piston-poweredLear. 1 couldn't paint this majestic aircraftjust an ordinary white. It had to besomething different and eye-catching,something that could expound on itsunusual appearance.I contacted Rob Laher of ColorburstGraphics in Cheyenne, Wyoming,and we developed the scheme to adornher skin. Rob's outstanding artistic abilitywas able to create custom handpaintedrivets on the fiberglass tip tanks,airbrushed tears in the metal, and mysignature as pilot on the side of thefuselage.Then it was time to concentrate onthe interior, and I knew it had to be justas eye-catching. I contacted TimHallock of Aviation Design inGroveland, California, to custom-adornthis beauty. We had found the interiorthat was to become part of N 1904 froma 2004 Maserati Spyder. From detailedphotographs, Tim was able to perfectlyduplicate it, right down to the doublecontraststitching.After that, it was time for somecreature features, gizmos and gadgets.If it could fit-or we thought we couldmake it fit-it was installed. And at thispoint, it became an obsession. After all,you can't take it with you anyway.
Today, the only thing left on my listis an engine upgrade from the E-225 toan 10-470 or 10-520 with a three-bladeprop. But, hey, I had to leave somethingto look forward to.N1904 is the fulfillment of a childhooddream that was made possible bythe help of some very dedicated professionals.In addition to Tim fromAviation Design, Gerald from BobGates Aviation in Fort ColJins,Colorado; Leroy at Natrona Avionics inCasper, Wyoming; Rob with ColorburstGraphics in Cheyenne, there werecountless others who dedicated theirtime and skills to help in the completionof my masterpiece. A great thank@OUto all.Colorbursl Graphics developed the custom paint scheme with hand-pointed rivels, airbrushed leors, and pilot'ssignature. Note the matching paint job on Scot's Jeep in the background.Two video display screens on the Baron bucket seots are port of the PS Engineering PAY 80 entertainment systemwi DVD.GADGETS & GOODIESAvionics Research panel & banery baxBendix King KMD 250 wi weather & trafficBendix King KlN 94Sandel EHSIDual King KX 155King KT 73 Mode S transponderPS Engineering PAV 80 entertainmentsystem wi DVDPMA7000 audio panelS-Tec 50 autopilot wi electric trimMid-Continent battery backup attitudeindicatorBFG WX 1 000 stormscapeJPI EDM 700EI digital chronometerPrecise Flight speed brakesRMD HID lightingM-20 oil separatorMile High built-in oxygen system50-amp alternator conversionTurbine Air Drop-Down backup alternatorHI P-l000 digital tachD'Shannon tip tanks. panel gouges. gopseals.louvers.VGs.speedslope windshield,control knobs & outside air ventkitBoron bucket-seat upgradeBose panel-powered headsetsWhelen strobe kitBDS toil coneSoundEx insulation337'd shoulder harnessesNulite instrument lighting system
Page 2 and 3: . 'iDcllep!Ddent:ty owned. miI .. "
Page 4 and 5: www.bonanza.org1922 MIDFIELD ROADPO
Page 8 and 9: M E M B E R'SV lEW SNovember 2 dead
Page 10 and 11: ABS LIFELONG LEARNING &THE ABSAVIAT
Page 12 and 13: LET'S GET ORGANIZEDBY AL BANEN, FOU
Page 14 and 15: FLYING THE AUTOGIRO ATTHE NATIONAL
Page 16 and 17: High oil tempDan MeesterLongmont, C
Page 18 and 19: Trim riggingSimon MilesGlendale, Ca
Page 20 and 21: When the passionit can become an"NA
Page 22 and 23: AEROMEDICALQuestion 18c on the medi
Page 24 and 25: American---n---BonanzQSocietLOOKI
Page 26 and 27: EVACUATING A BARONABS member Robert
Page 28 and 29: INTERIORSTHE INSIDE STORYPART IVBY
Page 30 and 31: CorrosionThe big item nor included
Page 32 and 33: "HEY, CAN YOU SAVE MESOME MONEY ON
Page 34 and 35: HARTZELL PROP &E-SERIES ENGINESAlth
Page 37 and 38: configuration. This is how the seal
Page 40 and 41: Re: Hirsch emergencyproceduresIn th
Page 42 and 43: !,REGIONAL NEWSMidwest Bonanza Soci
Page 44 and 45: BY ELLIOn SCHIFFMANHINGHAM. MASSACH
Page 46 and 47: 5·9 • Beech Party. Tullahoma, Te
Page 48: · --,..;;.- -- --_II1II11 ,..,....

October 2005 - American Bonanza Society

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?