The better Bonanzas In the Beech 36-series Bonanza Used Aircraft Guide report in the July 2024 Aviation Consumer, there was a minor error when saying the 1984 model year brought the Continental IO-520 to the Bonanza 36. I know you know that the engine was the Continental IO-550. But also unmentioned in the same paragraph […]
Older planes take lots of creative work, and in aviation lingo that translates to dollars and time in finding parts, plus labor for upkeep, etc.
More on Deltahawk I’ve been following your coverage of the DeltaHawk engine, including your recent overview video at Sun ‘n Fun, and have some questions. In the video, there was a brief mention of liquid cooling. I’m wondering how that would integrate with the planned firewall-forward package, as well as the cowling and of course […]
I have some questions and feedback for several articles that appeared in the March 2024 Aviation Consumer. First, the DeltaHawk engine update. One big challenge when considering an engine replacement is the weight and balance impact. In your article, you mention the DeltaHawk engine being just shy of 350 pounds, which is of course the […]
I’ve been following your discussions about delivery issues in the engine market and can weigh in. I placed an order for a Lycoming IO-540 Thunderbolt engine for my Van’s RV-10 project in February 2022, understanding I would have to take delivery by the end of 2022 to avoid a price increase. It was ordered through […]
I recently finished reading the avionics satisfaction survey report in the December 2023 issue of Aviation Consumer, and while the thrust of the article is correct, I believe you missed two critical points. Picking a shop to do the installation does not buy you future support. It all depends on the product vendor, and if […]
Aerobatic Cruisers I enjoyed your article on aerobatic travelers in the December 2023 Aviation Consumer, but was disappointed to see no mention of my longtime favorite—the SIAI-Marchetti SF-260. True, there aren’t many around, about 100 in the USA at last count, but of all the airplanes you listed, only the aerobatic Bonanza even comes close […]
Engines: Field or Factory? I read Larry Anglisano’s article about engine overhauls (“Factory or Field? Think Beyond Price”) in the October 2023 issue of Aviation Consumer with great interest. We have a Beech Bonanza with a Continental IO-520 that is we’ll beyond the TBO. This was an excellent article, but I need to know what […]
DIAMOND DA50 RG COUNTERPOINT After reading Gary Bond’s DA50 RG flight trial in the September 2023 Aviation Consumer, I don’t get it. It has some really neat features and the latest ultra-modern tech, but for $1.15 million it doesn’t make cents for me. It’s relatively slow, heavy (at 4400 pounds) and it has limited range […]
AIR CONDITIONING MODS The July 2023 Aviation Consumer article on aftermarket air conditioning could not have arrived at a better time. It initially gave me some hope, when all of south Florida was frying in the heat most of the day, that I could get real air conditioning for my plane. Getting into a heat-soaked […]
MORE ON TECHNICALLY ADVANCED PANELS I read your Avionics Bootcamp article on retrofitting to the FAA’s Technically Advanced Aircraft standard (July 2023 Aviation Consumer) and there are a few things worth expanding on. One requirement is for a two-axis autopilot “integrated with navigation and heading guidance system.” You mention that “integrated” is a loose term, […]
BOSE ON THE NEW A30 Regarding the flight trial report on the new Bose A30 in the June 2023 issue of Aviation Consumer, I think Editor Larry Anglisano hit all the key points, as usual, and he got it all right. But I would like to make one point of clarification. Our goal with the […]
