cost of panel upgrade on bonanza

I am getting ready to buy my first plane. I am considering an early 60s
bonanza or debonair. Some of these planes don't have a standard "six pack"
panel layout, and I was wondering if anyone had an idea of how much this
would cost to upgrade. I probably would update the radios at the same time,
but I am really interested in the cost of the panel only.

Also does anyone know if there are any STC'ed conversions to a standard
power/prop/mixture quadrant for these older planes.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Expect to spend anywhere from about $5.5K for a piano keys up (Hammock
Aviation, Ennis, TX) conversion to about $8K (Air Research, Sandy
River , OR) for the full change. You'll have wiring and instrument
issues that you never thought of before. So maybe you should look at
P models and up, or planes that already had this conversion done.

Now with that said, I suggest yo do a bit more research and if a
Bonanza or Bonanza derivative (Debonair, the Bonanza look alike with
the Piper tail) is how you want to tell the world that you've arrived,
contact the American Bonanza Society (www.abs.org) and ask any
questions you can think of to the people who are the most
knowledgable about them and are always willing to help. You may very
easily purchase one that looks nice and clean and spend $20K on your
first annual, even after some schmuck A&P does a "prebuy".




On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 23:31:52 GMT, soxinbox wrote:

I am getting ready to buy my first plane. I am considering an early 60s
bonanza or debonair. Some of these planes don't have a standard "six pack"
panel layout, and I was wondering if anyone had an idea of how much this
would cost to upgrade. I probably would update the radios at the same time,
but I am really interested in the cost of the panel only.

Also does anyone know if there are any STC'ed conversions to a standard
power/prop/mixture quadrant for these older planes.

Thanks in advance for any help.

On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 22:01:49 -0500, Al Marzo
wrote:

Expect to spend anywhere from about $5.5K for a piano keys up (Hammock

No one goes with the piano keys any more. Just conventional switches
which look a lot nicer.

Aviation, Ennis, TX) conversion to about $8K (Air Research, Sandy

Having the instruments moved to the conventional layout is a
relatively small job.

The complete new panel is about 8 grand and that is with all new
wiring.

\
River , OR) for the full change. You'll have wiring and instrument
issues that you never thought of before. So maybe you should look at

What issues? They are a mess under the panel, but I haven't seen any
old planes that aren't. Instruments are instruments. There isn't
that much to go wrong and they are relatively easy to get at. Note I
said *relatively* easy. One thing to remember is they do not have an
alternate static port which should be added.

P models and up, or planes that already had this conversion done.

Remember too that the straight tails do not have any speed
limitations. Like the V-tails though they do tend to have a higher
barf factor in the back seat.


Now with that said, I suggest yo do a bit more research and if a
Bonanza or Bonanza derivative (Debonair, the Bonanza look alike with
the Piper tail) is how you want to tell the world that you've arrived,

Ahhh... The Deb is the forerunner of the F-33 Bo. It definitely does
not have a piper tail. It did have the Travel air or military tail to
begin. Unfortunately all the Bo versions have Magnesium elevator
skins.

contact the American Bonanza Society (www.abs.org) and ask any
questions you can think of to the people who are the most
knowledgable about them and are always willing to help. You may very
easily purchase one that looks nice and clean and spend $20K on your
first annual, even after some schmuck A&P does a "prebuy".

I haven't spent that much on mine (on annuals) in over 10 years and I
take it to a Bo specialist and follow a progressive maintenance
program. Unfortunately he passed away last winter so now I need to
find a new mechanic.

After about 12 years the paint is getting to the point where it could
use some help. 45 years old and still less than 4000 hours TT and
I've put a third of them on it.

Going to an F-33 would raise the price to at least $140,000 while Debs
can be found from $60 and up in good shape, (less for those that could
use some help) but they are 40 to 45 year old airplanes. I'm seeing
Debs listed in the $80K to $100K plus range now. I keep thinking of
having a new panel installed and the avionics upgraded to state of the
art even though I'd never get the money back. It's just a great plane
to fly. Tip tanks give me about a 1200 mile range. (raises the total
gas on board to 100 gallons) if you can stand to sit there that long.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com




On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 23:31:52 GMT, soxinbox wrote:

I am getting ready to buy my first plane. I am considering an early 60s
bonanza or debonair. Some of these planes don't have a standard "six pack"
panel layout, and I was wondering if anyone had an idea of how much this
would cost to upgrade. I probably would update the radios at the same time,
but I am really interested in the cost of the panel only.

Also does anyone know if there are any STC'ed conversions to a standard
power/prop/mixture quadrant for these older planes.

Thanks in advance for any help.

On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 02:43:48 GMT, Roger
wrote:

On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 22:01:49 -0500, Al Marzo
wrote:

Expect to spend anywhere from about $5.5K for a piano keys up (Hammock

No one goes with the piano keys any more. Just conventional switches
which look a lot nicer.

A too-typical Beech owner. Thinks everyone has an extra 3 to 4K to
**** away! FYI, lots of piano key up conversions are still being
done.

Aviation, Ennis, TX) conversion to about $8K (Air Research, Sandy

Having the instruments moved to the conventional layout is a
relatively small job.

Yea, right. That's why it takes 5 grand to do the job!


The complete new panel is about 8 grand and that is with all new
wiring.

Didn't I say that?

\
River , OR) for the full change. You'll have wiring and instrument
issues that you never thought of before. So maybe you should look at

What issues? They are a mess under the panel, but I haven't seen any
old planes that aren't. Instruments are instruments. There isn't
that much to go wrong and they are relatively easy to get at. Note I
said *relatively* easy. One thing to remember is they do not have an
alternate static port which should be added.

There's always a mess under the panel, unless you don't think it's an
issue to deal with. Instruments are instruments? Yes, and with
anything else in an old airplane (earlier than 1962) when you remove
things, you find other things to do. Easy job? I guess repairing a
gear up on a Bonanza is a relatively easy job, too!

P models and up, or planes that already had this conversion done.

Remember too that the straight tails do not have any speed
limitations. Like the V-tails though they do tend to have a higher
barf factor in the back seat.

What speed restrictions? The red line? Or are you talking about the
1947 to 1950 models that haven't had the restriction lifted yet? And
for your info, oh great guru of wannabe Bonanza owners, the fuse makes
the wiggle, not the tail. try sitting in the back seat of that
economy model you own for a flight through some afternoon Texas air.

Now with that said, I suggest yo do a bit more research and if a
Bonanza or Bonanza derivative (Debonair, the Bonanza look alike with
the Piper tail) is how you want to tell the world that you've arrived,

Ahhh... The Deb is the forerunner of the F-33 Bo. It definitely does
not have a piper tail. It did have the Travel air or military tail to
begin. Unfortunately all the Bo versions have Magnesium elevator
skins.

Sorry, it looks more like the tail of a Piper than that of a Bonanza.
Let's take a poll. When someone mentions Bonanza, and you envision it
in your mind, what do you see? Yup, that's right Hoss, a V Tail!

contact the American Bonanza Society (www.abs.org) and ask any
questions you can think of to the people who are the most
knowledgable about them and are always willing to help. You may very
easily purchase one that looks nice and clean and spend $20K on your
first annual, even after some schmuck A&P does a "prebuy".


I haven't spent that much on mine (on annuals) in over 10 years and I
take it to a Bo specialist and follow a progressive maintenance
program. Unfortunately he passed away last winter so now I need to
find a new mechanic.

The only way to maintain an old complex aeroplane is to have some type
of program in effect, whether it be put together professionally or by
someone with a good understanding of the machine. You really need to
take your head out of the sand and see what some folks who do not have
the benefit of a Bonanza experienced mechanic are getting stuck with.
Too bad about losing your guy, lots of down and dirty knowledge goes
away daily. Suffice to say that I'll bet your next annual will be
nice and expensive with a new pair of eyes looking at it. Run up to
Ennis, it's only a hop and a skip. Let them do the next one and see
what happens.

After about 12 years the paint is getting to the point where it could
use some help. 45 years old and still less than 4000 hours TT and
I've put a third of them on it.

There's a place in Ennis that does that work too.

Going to an F-33 would raise the price to at least $140,000 while Debs
can be found from $60 and up in good shape, (less for those that could
use some help) but they are 40 to 45 year old airplanes. I'm seeing
Debs listed in the $80K to $100K plus range now. I keep thinking of
having a new panel installed and the avionics upgraded to state of the
art even though I'd never get the money back. It's just a great plane
to fly. Tip tanks give me about a 1200 mile range. (raises the total
gas on board to 100 gallons) if you can stand to sit there that long.

There are no Debs at 60 that are flyers. People like the cheap model
because they're afraid of the tails, but don't realize what they don't
get. Ever heard of cowl flaps? What about emergency escape windows?

Are you using auto gas at all?

On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 06:26:39 -0500, Al Marzo
wrote:

On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 02:43:48 GMT, Roger
wrote:

On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 22:01:49 -0500, Al Marzo
wrote:

Expect to spend anywhere from about $5.5K for a piano keys up (Hammock

No one goes with the piano keys any more. Just conventional switches
which look a lot nicer.

A too-typical Beech owner. Thinks everyone has an extra 3 to 4K to
**** away! FYI, lots of piano key up conversions are still being
done.

Probably so, but I haven't seen any. The ones I've seen have been
getting away from the old ugly piano switches.


Aviation, Ennis, TX) conversion to about $8K (Air Research, Sandy

Having the instruments moved to the conventional layout is a
relatively small job.

Yea, right. That's why it takes 5 grand to do the job!


It doesn't. It can be done in an afternoon if all you are doing is
changing to the standard T configuration. They figured on mine with
the current cut outs they wouldn't even have to do any metal work.
I haven't had it done as I kinda like the old lay out.

The 5 grand is a major panel rework and would cost as much in a Cessna
or Piper.



The complete new panel is about 8 grand and that is with all new
wiring.

Didn't I say that?

No, we were talking about changing to the standard T, or I was.


\
River , OR) for the full change. You'll have wiring and instrument
issues that you never thought of before. So maybe you should look at

What issues? They are a mess under the panel, but I haven't seen any
old planes that aren't. Instruments are instruments. There isn't
that much to go wrong and they are relatively easy to get at. Note I
said *relatively* easy. One thing to remember is they do not have an
alternate static port which should be added.

There's always a mess under the panel, unless you don't think it's an
issue to deal with. Instruments are instruments? Yes, and with
anything else in an old airplane (earlier than 1962) when you remove
things, you find other things to do. Easy job? I guess repairing a
gear up on a Bonanza is a relatively easy job, too!


Easier than a Mooney. :-))


P models and up, or planes that already had this conversion done.

Remember too that the straight tails do not have any speed
limitations. Like the V-tails though they do tend to have a higher
barf factor in the back seat.

What speed restrictions? The red line? Or are you talking about the
1947 to 1950 models that haven't had the restriction lifted yet? And
for your info, oh great guru of wannabe Bonanza owners, the fuse makes
the wiggle, not the tail. try sitting in the back seat of that
economy model you own for a flight through some afternoon Texas air.

I think I said that. They all wiggle.


Now with that said, I suggest yo do a bit more research and if a
Bonanza or Bonanza derivative (Debonair, the Bonanza look alike with
the Piper tail) is how you want to tell the world that you've arrived,

Ahhh... The Deb is the forerunner of the F-33 Bo. It definitely does
not have a piper tail. It did have the Travel air or military tail to
begin. Unfortunately all the Bo versions have Magnesium elevator
skins.

Sorry, it looks more like the tail of a Piper than that of a Bonanza.
Let's take a poll. When someone mentions Bonanza, and you envision it
in your mind, what do you see? Yup, that's right Hoss, a V Tail!

I think of the new ones. They discontinued the V-tail I believe in 84
and went to the straight. The A-36 started out life with the V-tail.


contact the American Bonanza Society (www.abs.org) and ask any
questions you can think of to the people who are the most
knowledgable about them and are always willing to help. You may very
easily purchase one that looks nice and clean and spend $20K on your
first annual, even after some schmuck A&P does a "prebuy".


I haven't spent that much on mine (on annuals) in over 10 years and I
take it to a Bo specialist and follow a progressive maintenance
program. Unfortunately he passed away last winter so now I need to
find a new mechanic.

The only way to maintain an old complex aeroplane is to have some type
of program in effect, whether it be put together professionally or by
someone with a good understanding of the machine. You really need to
take your head out of the sand and see what some folks who do not have
the benefit of a Bonanza experienced mechanic are getting stuck with.

I think that is true of any older airplane. You need some one who
knows them specifically. Just like flying them. Go to Bo specific
training and they even brace the yoke so you can't use the ailerons
when doing stalls. You calculate the proper speed for every landing
and takeoff and are expected to fly them None of the high speed
finals Bo pilots like. You find you really can land an F33 or old
V-tail shorter than a 172.

Too bad about losing your guy, lots of down and dirty knowledge goes
away daily. Suffice to say that I'll bet your next annual will be
nice and expensive with a new pair of eyes looking at it. Run up to
Ennis, it's only a hop and a skip. Let them do the next one and see

Ennis?

what happens.

I'm going to go down to Kalamazoo Air. They specialize in Bonanzas.
and it's only about 30 minutes from here.


After about 12 years the paint is getting to the point where it could
use some help. 45 years old and still less than 4000 hours TT and
I've put a third of them on it.

There's a place in Ennis that does that work too.

Going to an F-33 would raise the price to at least $140,000 while Debs
can be found from $60 and up in good shape, (less for those that could
use some help) but they are 40 to 45 year old airplanes. I'm seeing
Debs listed in the $80K to $100K plus range now. I keep thinking of
having a new panel installed and the avionics upgraded to state of the
art even though I'd never get the money back. It's just a great plane
to fly. Tip tanks give me about a 1200 mile range. (raises the total
gas on board to 100 gallons) if you can stand to sit there that long.

The longest leg I've flown was 5 1/4 hours. I had 40 gallons left in
the tanks. Which is another thing to think of. Those early bladder
tanks have no baffles and that means a lot of gas is listed as
unusable. You can run the tanks dry, but you can have 11 gallons left
in the last main that is useable. Pull the nose up steep and it'll
quit. The same for slips. It's limited to 20 seconds and they aren't
joking as the tank will unport and the engine will quit.


There are no Debs at 60 that are flyers. People like the cheap model

I wouldn't sell mine for that.

because they're afraid of the tails, but don't realize what they don't

You don't get very far into the years before there aren't any cheap
models. They came out in 60 although mine is listed as a 59, and by
62 most were coming with all the options making them as expensive as
the Bo. They stuck with the name, but finally changed it to F-33 Bo
in 72, or at least I think it was 72.

get. Ever heard of cowl flaps? What about emergency escape windows?

Mine is number one off the assembly line and it has cowl flaps.
I doubt there are many left that are stock. It takes a full page
just to list the mods. As far as escape windows? Neither Piper or
Cessna have them and I've never worried about them. OTOH I sure would
like to have shoulder harnesses.


Are you using auto gas at all?

Nope. I don't think there is an STC available for the 260 HP, IO-470N

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

Hammock Aviation in Ennis, just below Dallas. The real Bonanza expert
in Texas. You owe it to yourself to at least talk to him before
spending money anywhere else.

I didn't know you had the 470N, thought you still had the lower power
470. That makes for an excellent combo, lighter airframe and belt
driven generator injected motor. Your STC would require the cowl
flaps with an N, but it didn't leave the factory that way. I've heard
of only one STC that didn't require cowl flaps with the N engine.

Try this for a nice shoulder harness set up
http://www.alpha-aviation.com/page7.html



On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 22:39:24 GMT, Roger
wrote:

"soxinbox" wrote in message
. 166...
I am getting ready to buy my first plane. I am considering an early 60s
bonanza or debonair. Some of these planes don't have a standard "six pack"
panel layout, and I was wondering if anyone had an idea of how much this
would cost to upgrade. I probably would update the radios at the same
time,
but I am really interested in the cost of the panel only.

Also does anyone know if there are any STC'ed conversions to a standard
power/prop/mixture quadrant for these older planes.

The cost would be commensurate with just going to a newer model Bonanza
would be my guess.

--
Matt
---------------------
Matthew W. Barrow
Site-Fill Homes, LLC.
Montrose, CO

On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 21:28:30 -0700, "Matt Barrow"
wrote:


"soxinbox" wrote in message
.166...
I am getting ready to buy my first plane. I am considering an early 60s
bonanza or debonair. Some of these planes don't have a standard "six pack"
panel layout, and I was wondering if anyone had an idea of how much this
would cost to upgrade. I probably would update the radios at the same
time,
but I am really interested in the cost of the panel only.

Also does anyone know if there are any STC'ed conversions to a standard
power/prop/mixture quadrant for these older planes.

The power/mix/prop is pretty much standard and most of the parts are
available. It would be easy to change but they are pretty much
standard. The prop and Throttle are just like any other high
performance I've flown. The mixture is just a big knob a bit lower.

Probably about $300 to $400 plus labor of maybe 5 hours.

The cost would be commensurate with just going to a newer model Bonanza
would be my guess.

The non standard part is the gear and flap switches.
If it's a first complex, why bother? I can understand if it's not.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

"soxinbox" wrote in message
. 166...
I am getting ready to buy my first plane. I am considering an early 60s
bonanza or debonair.

My first thought is, "don't."

Not because these can't be perfectly good airplanes, but rather because I've
found that airplane ownership is a complex business, and you're better off
learning with something simple. Why not a good Skylane? For the same money
you'll get a newer, likely lower-time bird, spend less on insurance and
maintenance. The only downside being speed, which is in the 20-40 knot range
depending on the two birds you're comparing. Do you need that extra speed or
do you just want it? You may notice that good 182s cost a lot, comparable to
or even exceeding Bonanzas, Mooneys, etc. that aren't all that much
older/higher-time. There's a reason for this: smart pilots look at the Total
Cost of Ownership. This is also why you can buy a big pressurized twin
cessna with all the toys for not a lot more than a nice Bo. Of course that
resale value will come back on the tail end, should you decide to step up.

Of course, if you have money coming out the wazoo, then airplane ownership
is easy. Find a decent mechanic (ask your type club) and when anything makes
a funny sound, take it to him, and hand over your wallet. Be prepared for
numbers that sound like the down payment on a car. If the thought of this
concerns you, best stay away from an early 60s Beech retract.

Some of these planes don't have a standard "six pack"
panel layout, and I was wondering if anyone had an idea of how much this
would cost to upgrade. I probably would update the radios at the same
time,
but I am really interested in the cost of the panel only.

My rule of thumb here is to buy the plane you want, and upgrade the one you
have. The reason is that while you might spend $50k upgrading the panel,
you'll be lucky to get back more than $30k when you resell it. Let the
previous owner eat that depreciation. The only exception to this would be a
good plane with a high-time engine, because a much larger portion of the
money you spend on the engine will be retained as value. Of course, if you
already have a plane you like but just want newer radios, it can make sense
to upgrade because you'll own them long enough to get your money's worth.
But if you're buying the plane now, buy what you want the first time around.

Best,
-cwk.

I've flow 172s and 182s, but prefer the low wings ( just my preferance).
I will be using this primarily for weekend getaways. In life I've found
that it is often the road you take, not where you go, that is most
important, but coffee house philosophy aside, I don't want to spend my
whole weekend getting somewhere just to turn around and come back, so I
want something that is resonably fast with a good range.

Your advice on the avionics is well headed. I am only going to keep this
plane until I get confortable enough to move up to a twin, so the resale
value is important. This intemediate plane is to keep me from being one
of those smoking holes in the ground that used to be someone who could
afford more plane than they could fly.

I am really looking for a TRUE four place plane ( useful load 1000) with
a 700 mile range, flip flop nav/coms, autopilot, gps, and modern six pack
panel. Without breaking the bank, this seams to be leading me to the
debonair. Problem is There are few planes with this combination, and so I
was seeing if it is feasable to not lose too much money on it.


"soxinbox" wrote in message
. 166...
I am getting ready to buy my first plane. I am considering an early
60s bonanza or debonair.

My first thought is, "don't."

Not because these can't be perfectly good airplanes, but rather
because I've found that airplane ownership is a complex business, and
you're better off learning with something simple. Why not a good
Skylane? For the same money you'll get a newer, likely lower-time
bird, spend less on insurance and maintenance. The only downside being
speed, which is in the 20-40 knot range depending on the two birds
you're comparing. Do you need that extra speed or do you just want it?
You may notice that good 182s cost a lot, comparable to or even
exceeding Bonanzas, Mooneys, etc. that aren't all that much
older/higher-time. There's a reason for this: smart pilots look at the
Total Cost of Ownership. This is also why you can buy a big
pressurized twin cessna with all the toys for not a lot more than a
nice Bo. Of course that resale value will come back on the tail end,
should you decide to step up.

Of course, if you have money coming out the wazoo, then airplane
ownership is easy. Find a decent mechanic (ask your type club) and
when anything makes a funny sound, take it to him, and hand over your
wallet. Be prepared for numbers that sound like the down payment on a
car. If the thought of this concerns you, best stay away from an early
60s Beech retract.

Some of these planes don't have a standard "six pack"
panel layout, and I was wondering if anyone had an idea of how much
this would cost to upgrade. I probably would update the radios at the
same
time,
but I am really interested in the cost of the panel only.

My rule of thumb here is to buy the plane you want, and upgrade the
one you have. The reason is that while you might spend $50k upgrading
the panel, you'll be lucky to get back more than $30k when you resell
it. Let the previous owner eat that depreciation. The only exception
to this would be a good plane with a high-time engine, because a much
larger portion of the money you spend on the engine will be retained
as value. Of course, if you already have a plane you like but just
want newer radios, it can make sense to upgrade because you'll own
them long enough to get your money's worth. But if you're buying the
plane now, buy what you want the first time around.

Best,
-cwk.