Beech Aerobatic Sundowner Question

[cougar6903]

Anyone on the board fly a Beech Aerobatic Sundowner ? how well does it perform aerobatics? Any comments about its performance would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[azpilot]

Go here for answers:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/musketeermail/

Do a search on for existing replies.

- AZPilot

 

[StaySeated]

There are very few differences between an aerobatic sundowner and a normal category sundowner. The cowling has additional material that decreases lift over the fuselage during aerobatic manuevers. The empenage has a small fin underneath the tail to increase effectiveness during low speed manuevers. Both doors have quick release handles that allows them to disconnect in flight so the pilot may exit if the need arises. The sundowners I flew were modified with 180hp engines (go illini), I believe the original version had 160. The plane was a truck and a great primary trainer and very forgiving during spin and aerobatic manuevers due to its dirty profile.

 

[Singlecoil]

I flew a B-19 with a spin kit, 6595R (Big Bend 5), but I suppose that doesn't count. As I recall, the sucker was difficult to get into a spin, and spun violently when you succeeded. Not at all like an Aerobat.