February 1999 - American Bonanza Society

"/ traded l1Iy previously perfectly good aircraft (Cess1Ia 172-RG) for all F33C Bonanza, N249SL(more affectionately knowll as Two Four Niner Sweet LipS)."- WilliQIII R. Vcll1ce1978 F33Cor reasons unknown 10 me al Ihelime-and complele conslernalionand disbelief from my wife-inmid-1997 Ilraded my previously perfeciC-I72RG for an F33C Bonanza, N249SL(more affectionately known as Two FourNiner Sweel Lips).This aircraft has an interesling hislory.Afler il was born in 1978, il was purchasedby Ihe Royal DUlch Flying Academy(The Netherlands), which laler becameKLM Advanced Flighl School. IIwas used to Irain KLM pilols in unusualalliludes and lighl aerobatics. The aircraflregislralion was Ihen G-BTFN.In OClober 1991 , Ihe aircrafl was sold10 Ihe Siapieion Flying Club al SiapletonAerodrome in Essex, England, where ilremained until February 1997. II was reregisteredunder British regislration numberPH-BNF.The aircraft was flown to Houston,Texas, in March 1997 where it underwenta complete and extensive refurbishing thatincluded a new light grey glove leather interior,new paint. new linted 0' Shannon3/8-inch-thick windows and windshield, athree-blade McCauley prop, etc.I have some other additional goodieslike Stormscope, elc. in the planningstage for 1999. The paint scheme is whilewi lh lighl grey and black slripes andblack melallic checkerboard on Ihewinglips and lip of Ihevertical stabilizer.The aircrafl is Iheaerobatic model wilha Continental 10-520engine. This machineis really a delighl 10fly and solid duringaerobatic maneuvers.Siandard recoveryfrom rolls, spins andloops is easy and effonless.copilot,The transition from the C-I72RG 10Ihe Bonanza was nOI difficult at all as Iheaircrafl is very docile and very slable,making for an excellent instrument platfonn.Basically, the only surprise so farwas the first set of logbooks-all handwrillenin Dutch. It nearly drove me andmy mechanic nuts trying to translate thestuff. Finally, the Dutch consulate came10 Ihe rescue and the logs were Iran slatedinto English (sort 01) and, as expected,no major surprises were found.This aircraft is used primarily for funand cross-country flight s wilh the familyin the order of 400-500 nm. Sometimethis fall , we are planning a trip tothe Cayman Islands. I'll let you knowhow it goes.The aircraft is hangared at all timesand il is based al West Houston Airport(TWS).-William R. Vallce, HOIIS/Oll, Texas