Learning (and Leaning) a New Airplane Is Always a Rich Experience

There are a lot worse ways for a pilot to ride into the sunset than via a Beechcraft Baron.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 11:23 AM ET

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FLYING contributor Dick Karl laments that it's possible his Beechcraft Baron will be his last in a long line of airplanes he has owned. [Courtesy: Dick Karl]

Key Takeaways:

A 77-year-old pilot transitioned from a Citation CJ1 jet to a 40-year-old Beech P-Baron due to prohibitive insurance costs for single-pilot operations under BasicMed.
He recounts the considerable learning curve and initial struggles with the "new-to-him" Baron, including mastering unfamiliar avionics and complex engine management.
A challenging long-distance trip highlighted difficulties like navigating severe weather, dealing with ATC reroutes, and experiencing a much longer travel time compared to his previous jet.
Despite the difficulties, the author expresses a continued passion for flying and learning his new aircraft, reflecting on his long history of aviation ownership.

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With the required BasicMed paperwork in my logbook and my initial training in our new-to-us Beech P-Baron behind me, I seek to acquaint myself with an airplane manufactured 40 years ago. This airplane has replaced our Cessna Citation CJ1 because insurance costs for single-pilot operations with a 77-year-old captain became just too prohibitive. A Baron was selected because it fit the bill as that old guy transitioned to BasicMed. A new airplane means a new lease on flying, but the first few forays are definitely baby steps.

For starters, I rounded up two airline friends for a lunch trip from Tampa International Airport (KTPA) to Sebring Regional Airport (KSEF) in Florida, a distance that is all of 71 nm. These minor trips are flown at 7,000 feet and barely afford enough time to set the power and pick up the AWOS. With a flurry of help from the right-seater, we fly an RNAV approach and land at KSEF. Lunch is good.