Loaded question for Scott Gentile

[Hobart Escin]

Scott,

I know this is probably unfair to ask, but if you had to do it all over again and money was not a consideration, would you opt for a Bonanza over a Comanche, having now flown them both?

[scottb613]

Hi Hobart,

While not “the Scott” - my two cents - first thing that comes to mind is - visibility - the big bubble canopy on Beech offers fantastic views and vistas - very open feeling - while in the Comanche I feel like I’m looking out peep holes in a tank or something - a bit restrictive - at 6’5” I’m also hitting my head in the Comanche...

Regards,
Scott


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[Blitzer]

Scott,

I know this is probably unfair to ask, but if you had to do it all over again and money was not a consideration, would you opt for a Bonanza over a Comanche, having now flown them both?

Scott’s comment in this thread might give you a little insight...

https://a2asimulations.com/forum/viewto ... 23&t=65258



Paul

[n421nj]

I have to say that I agree I like the Comanche better. The bonanza has more features than the Comanche cuz it’s newer but I have to say I prefer the Comanche. I’m not a fan of the Dutch roll.

[Hobart Escin]

Here we are pondering all this whilst the Great Scott is no doubt spending most of his time rocketing around in a suped-up Aerostar (sigh). Single engine GA must seem so bourgeois at this point.

[Hobart Escin]

Hi Hobart,

While not “the Scott” - my two cents - first thing that comes to mind is - visibility - the big bubble canopy on Beech offers fantastic views and vistas - very open feeling - while in the Comanche I feel like I’m looking out peep holes in a tank or something - a bit restrictive - at 6’5” I’m also hitting my head in the Comanche...

Regards,
Scott


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Hello Other Scott,

It could be worse, you could be short, even if you did fit better!

[Chunk]

while in the Comanche I feel like I’m looking out peep holes in a tank or something - a bit restrictive - at 6’5” I’m also hitting my head in the Comanche...

Regards,
Scott

Scott, as a fellow 6' 5"'er, I have a hard time getting comfortable in 172's and Cherokee's; is the Bonanza that much larger? I'd love to have something as comfortable as my truck!

[scottb613]

while in the Comanche I feel like I’m looking out peep holes in a tank or something - a bit restrictive - at 6’5” I’m also hitting my head in the Comanche...

Regards,
Scott

Scott, as a fellow 6' 5"'er, I have a hard time getting comfortable in 172's and Cherokee's; is the Bonanza that much larger? I'd love to have something as comfortable as my truck!

Hi Hobart,

LOL...

Hi Chuck,

Hah - I hear ya brah - LOL - I learned in a c172 and I could never go back... Most of my flying buddies fly Comanche’s and love them dearly - none are in our height range though... I’ve had a couple rides in an F33 and operated the controls a bit - so I am familiar... I wound up purchasing a Beech Sundowner which is similar inside - it’s a bit slower than the competition - but the cockpit is 2” wider than a Bonanza or Baron - which is the main reason it’s relatively slow... It’s snappy on the controls and a pure dream to fly... Comparing it to a C172 in flight - it feels like a little airliner... It has a spacious cockpit that is probably the most comfortable and roomy I’ve ever been in - by far... I don’t hit my head - well - umm - unless it’s really bumpy - then ouch...

As much as I love my Sundowner - lately I’ve been contemplating a Beech Sierra - same cockpit and airframe - retracts - constant speed prop - plus 25 to 30 KTAS - plus 135 lbs useful - plus 150 miles further range - plus the massive barn door for the baggage compartment. Because they are also a tad slower than other 200HP in their class - people tend to look down on them therefore they are priced much more reasonably than a full Bonanza.








Regards,
Scott


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[Chunk]

Thanks for the reply Scott!

Your Sundowner looks fantastic, and now you’ve got me looking at Sierra’s!

[scottb613]

Thanks for the reply Scott!

Your Sundowner looks fantastic, and now you’ve got me looking at Sierra’s!

Hi Chuck,

Any questions pop up - just email me - same as my account here except on yahoo.com. I’m pretty well versed in “Baby Beech’s” - and if I don’t have an answer I am in contact with the people that do... Best of luck...

Regards,
Scott


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[Scott - A2A]

Love the picts of your Sundowner Scott, thanks for posting.

Hobart, I can't say enough that the Bonanza just feels like a Warbird. It's actually quite big compared to a Comanche (600lbs heavier), it rumbles and can bite the same in slow flight. However, it's actually less stable in the yaw axis than say, a Spitfire. If you kick the rudder in a Spitfire, the nose comes back like the Comanche.

If you just replace the tail on the Bonanza, and turn it into a Debonair, it becomes rock solid. So the question is, for me, 52 years old with a family and a need to get places for business. There is a difference between someone like me, and say a full time professional pilot who flies daily. My profession is flight simulation. This is my main job, so I'm similar to the doctor or lawyer of yesterday where we learned some tough lessons about flight safety from. For my day to day business needs, I need a solid, safe, fast and stable platform. The Comanche is a perfect fit.

For me, the V-tail is a fun airplane to go up in, like a sports plane, Warbird, etc. The last time I flew a v-tail, on my downwind leg I thought "This v-tail is giving me the same fun that I had in the T-6 Texan." I don't get that same type of fun in the Comanche. It's stable, secure, more refined, etc.

So if you want something that is exciting to fly once in a while, the Bonanza delivers. If you want something for business, the Comanche delivers.

Scott.

[scottb613]

Scott.

Hi Scott,

My buddies “dragged me” - lol - to a Comanche fly-in down at Sky Manor (N40) a few weeks ago - had an eye out for your little green and white rocket we all know so well - mentioned your 8 cylinder beast to a few - just curious - are you doing a restoration on it ?

Side note - met a really nice couple from KMGJ that have flown their Comanche completely around the world... They had some stories to tell...

It’s a great little airport with a good place to eat if you haven’t been...





Regards,
Scott


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[pilottj]

I think the A36 Bonanza is the best of both worlds. You have some of the cargo flexibility and stability of the Comanche, yet you also have the build quality and some of the fun handling of the Bo. I think thats why the G36 is the only Bonanza type still in production, that airframe is ultimately the ideal Bonanza with its improved CG and stability.

Both are great planes, I am very happy I got my HP sign off in a Comanche. By the time I felt competent flying the Comanche, I truly felt like I had become a pilot. Even after many hours in 172s and had only dual time in twins at that point. After flying the Comanche I felt comfortable and confident taking up passengers and such...not complacent of course. A Comanche, even more a Bo, will not let you get complacent, and those planes will remind you and highlight your 'areas of improvement' in a hurry...often embarrassingly

Nice Sundowner pics there Scottb! I did a lot of my multi work in the Duchess which is essentially the same airframe, and thought it a more comfortable airplane, not to mention more pilot friendly than the Seminole. Doors on BOTH sides! How about that! I love the trailing link landing gear too...it makes your landings feel better than they actually are.


Cheers
TJ

[rhyslegge]

Scott.

Hi Scott,

My buddies “dragged me” - lol - to a Comanche fly-in down at Sky Manor (N40) a few weeks ago - had an eye out for your little green and white rocket we all know so well - mentioned your 8 cylinder beast to a few - just curious - are you doing a restoration on it ?

Side note - met a really nice couple from KMGJ that have flown their Comanche completely around the world... They had some stories to tell...

It’s a great little airport with a good place to eat if you haven’t been...





Regards,
Scott


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The first time I saw that view of N40 (Sky Manor) I was getting my private out of KPNE, landing a Grumman trainer with 20 knot crosswind! I failed miserably. Went back a few years later in an Archer to pick up a family friend and that tiny runway was still a challenge. Hopefully one day i'll get to do it in a Bonanza.

-Rhys

[scottb613]

TJ

Hi TJ,

Thanks - yeah - I like the Baby Beech’s pretty well - I see how it breeds brand loyalty - LOL - my lottery plane would probably be a new Baron...

The two doors are pretty important to me - it’s nice to be able to get out of a plane when you need to - I have three means of egress and I’m quite conscious of them all when thinking through contingencies for emergencies... My parents lost a friend and the husband was badly burned in that Socata Tobago crash on Long Island a few years back... Survivable crash but the fire got them...

Duchess eh - very cool - wish I could afford the care and feeding of two mills - but - honestly - one is scary enough... It’s also pretty difficult to find one that hasn’t been rung out by the flight schools...

Have a good day...

Regards,
Scott






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