This is the story of owning and operating a 1993 Beech Bonanza A36 in the UK and some of its adventures.
Well today I got my first "normal" servicing bill for the Bonanza for normal use. This was for a 50 hour check.
My previous bill for the first work and my introduction to Beech Bonanza ownership was over £20,000. That was for an annual inspection, 6 year prop overhaul and the engine fault that had reared its ugly head.
Today I got a bill for a Bonanza A36 50 hour check and it was a more reasonable £438 plus VAT.
There was the fixed cost of the 50 hour check for £320 and then £80 in parts. This bill also included fixing a problem which had developed on the Bonanza recently that made the nosewheel shimmy at about 65 knots on take off and landing. Apparently this was tracked down to low tyre pressure and so the tyre was pumped up!
Also the landing light bulb was replaced again. Apparently Bonanza A-36's are known for blowing these bulbs and mine is no exception having blown 3 in the 18 months I have owned it and having spent most of that time with one of the three blown bulbs in it. Lets see if this one does any better. Lets hope so as they cost over £20 each plus labour to fit them.
