B55 Baron

ppragman

ppragman

FLIPY FLAPS!
Just flew 1.1 in a B55 Baron. Bar none one of the coolest and best performing piston airplanes I've ever had the privilege of flying. Outstanding machine, I will own one if I ever have the money.
 
I did most of my twin training in a 55, an old T-42 returned to civilian use.
It is a fun airplane and a kick in pants and handles like a beech. (O RLY!)
Personally I like the throttles is the middle and the located high on the panel...there was a certain "get sum" quality to that since until that point i'd only flown an arrow.
 
B55's are awesome. A C55 is even cooler (520s instead of the 470s). What is REALLY cool, are the 56 Barons. Never flown one, but you have to figure the 380 horse TIO-541s would be a hoot (nevermind the reliability/ impossibility of overhauling those engines LOL). However, I really can't stand the old throw-over yoke bit.
 
By all accounts (well, other than Boris Badenov, who was spoiled flying the Mitsi) Beech builds nice-flying airplanes. My very limited experience seems to indicate that that is indeed the case. The Baron/Bonanza family in particular fly very well.
 
Roger said:
By all accounts (well, other than Boris Badenov, who was spoiled flying the Mitsi) Beech builds nice-flying airplanes. My very limited experience seems to indicate that that is indeed the case. The Baron/Bonanza family in particular fly very well.
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And you can go back to the Staggerwing and even they have that "Beech" feeling regarding flying qualities.
 
Well, to be fair, I liked the Baron a fair bit. Never was a huge fan of its "just stop flying" landing characteristics, but otherwise, very nice machine. And I much prefer the 55 to the 58...especially if you can find one with the two blade props. A 55 with two blades is about 10 knots faster than a 58, in my highly scientific testing.
 
Patrick said:
B55's are awesome. A C55 is even cooler (520s instead of the 470s). What is REALLY cool, are the 56 Barons. Never flown one, but you have to figure the 380 horse TIO-541s would be a hoot (nevermind the reliability/ impossibility of overhauling those engines LOL). However, I really can't stand the old throw-over yoke bit.
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A 56? I just looked up the 56 and dang if I'm not salivating.
 
Was (still technically) flying a G58 and Primo...

IMHO the B55 (love the IO-470s) is more fun and easier to land than the G58... but the G58 has some Gucci stuff in there and solved some minor problems that the other Barons had...

I agree that the B55 is about 10 knots faster than the G58
 
scooter2525 said:
Whats landing the MOO TOO like?
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Easy as pie. Very forgiving gear...you can pretty much carrier land it and it'll usually soak it up. You land it a little more like a jet...full stall is not something you're shooting for.

* This is for long bodies. I'm told the short bodies are a little trickier due to short coupling and different nose gear design.
 
The 2 bladed props are LOUD. AirNet had a 2 bladed 58 (still does as far as I know) and I'm sure that thing has woken more than a few people up as it announces a departure from your local airport at 4 in the morning. Of course it's got nothing on Boris and the MU-2.

I love Barons, it would be an amazing airplane to own.
 
ryan1234 said:
Was (still technically) flying a G58 and Primo...

IMHO the B55 (love the IO-470s) is more fun and easier to land than the G58... but the G58 has some Gucci stuff in there and solved some minor problems that the other Barons had...

I agree that the B55 is about 10 knots faster than the G58
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The 55 is 10 knts faster than the 58 unless your 58 had a foxstar conversion. Throws winglets, bigger engines and 4 blade props on. Adds 20-25 knts in cruise. If it is for carrying people and runs on AvGas Beech is always best, However if you are gonna make this MU2 vs Twin Beech, MU2 Hands down...
 
Boris Badenov said:
Easy as pie. Very forgiving gear...you can pretty much carrier land it and it'll usually soak it up. You land it a little more like a jet...full stall is not something you're shooting for.

* This is for long bodies. I'm told the short bodies are a little trickier due to short coupling and different nose gear design.
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AGREED 100%... There is no chopping the power in the flare on the MU-2, that being said with the hundreds of hours I have in the long body I have never flown a solitaire or any other short body either.
 
Since we're talking high performance twins here, how does the Aerostar stack up against the Barons?

I've got about 100 hours in an A36 and 5 hours in a 58 Baron with the old school center throttles, both very fun airplanes.
 
TallFlyer said:
Since we're talking high performance twins here, how does the Aerostar stack up against the Barons?

I've got about 100 hours in an A36 and 5 hours in a 58 Baron with the old school center throttles, both very fun airplanes.
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The Aerostar will pretty much out run every twin on the market. But dang it has a small wing.
 
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