ELinder wrote:
How's a Cirrus compare to a Bonanza comfort-wise? Never flown in one.
Bonanzas and Barons are 44" wide. OK for most people, and they feel roomy because pilots are coming from Cessna 182 (42") or 172 (40") aircraft or trainers. But among that class of airplanes, I personally feel far more comfortable in the cabins of any of the newer designs (Cirrus, Columbia 350/400, Diamond DA62) or nearly any non-trainer Piper, all of which are a full 49" wide or even more... and let me tell you, for chubby people those additional five inches make a world of difference.
Thinner people may not care. Or in the case of some airplanes who are not so tall, taller people may find objection. Me, I'll give up the Beech reputation for great flying feel and somewhat better-than-average speed for what I consider significantly-better-than-average comfort.
And I'm sure there's plenty of other viewpoints around this issue, but that's mine.
Now that I'm home and sitting at the big calibrated monitor, I spent some time in Photoshop with layers and masks to work up that last shot I posted...
Rodolfo, I hadn't realized the Bonanza wasn't wider. I didn't get to fly in them much, but that's why I loved the Tobago/Trinidad. They were not only nice and roomy, but the cabin had that sports car design feeling where fit just right.
They grow up, and we grow old, but all is good. Rodolfo Daniel (aka Rolf) is now 8 and starting to play soccer; and the 70-200, as usual, ends up being my best friend.
70th anniversary today for historical supersonic Yeager flight
When the bullet-shaped Bell X-1 broke the sound barrier for the first time Oct. 14, 1947 high above the Southern California desert, much of the technological know-how that powered it – and even the pilot who flew it — were tied to Wright Field in Dayton.
Today marks the 70th anniversary of the historic flight, when World War II ace pilot Chuck Yeager climbed into the cockpit of the rocket-powered, soon-to-be supersonic plane, nicknamed “Glamorous Glennis” after his wife, and made history by becoming the first person to fly supersonic in level flight.
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When I was a cashier at the commissary at EAFB, he'd come in in his flight suit and come through my lane. Never bothered him for an autograph though.
Chuck Yeager standing next to the Bell X-1 “Glamorous Glennis” that the test pilot broke the sound barrier in on Oct. 14, 1947. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE
NightOwl Cat wrote
When I was a cashier at the commissary at EAFB, he'd come in in his flight suit and come through my lane. Never bothered him for an autograph though.
I was about to say: "Wow, cool, you must have seen all sorts of great test pilots from the past. Who else did you see?" But then I thought, wait, she's not that old. Now I'm not sure how to diplomatically ask the question.
. He was still flying during the time I was at EAFB, (1989-1993). Retired military and their dependents get to use the commissary as well as active duty.
Otherwise I'd be pretty well preserved for my age, bad enough people are now guessing that I'm the age of my children.... I've earned these gray hairs.
ELinder wrote:
I was about to say: "Wow, cool, you must have seen all sorts of great test pilots from the past. Who else did you see?" But then I thought, wait, she's not that old. Now I'm not sure how to diplomatically ask the question.
Okay, I'll contribute this - a short youtube video. I got so inspired by the recent RC flying photos, I thought I'd get an RC flight simulator and have a go.
z wrote:
. He was still flying during the time I was at EAFB, (1989-1993). Retired military and their dependents get to use the commissary as well as active duty.