I earned my multi-engine rating in N1014W on July 11, 1990. My first attempt, on June 25, 1990, produced an “MEL FLT CK UNSAT” according to the remarks area of my logbook.
N1014W was, and still is, a 1973 Beechcraft Baron E-55 model.
14W popped into my head when I heard Textron Aviation, today’s owner of the venerable Beechcraft line, announced it will end production for both the Bonanza and Baron lines once current orders are fulfilled.
I’ve logged slightly more than 350 multiengine hours, the vast majority in 14W.
Flipping through my logbook I see numerous long cross-country flights in 14W: From Washington to Reno for the air races, to Oshkosh multiple times for AirVenture, to Lakeland, Florida, for SUN ‘n FUN, Grand Forks, N.D., to visit family, to Grants Pass, Oregon, for a river rafting trip, and many others of varying lengths and reasons.
That’s what the Baron, and Bonanza for that matter, are so good at: Going places.
One of my fondest memories is flying the Baron in the time-to-climb competition at SUN ‘n FUN organized by record holder Bruce Bohannon.
When flown solo, with less than full fuel, she climbed quickly.
I qualified for the race on April 19, 1998, won my first race on April 20, and lost in the semi-finals on April 22. I don’t remember who I lost to, but the memory of lining up side-by-side on the runway and releasing the brakes as the two Continental IO-520s launched me down the runway puts a smile on my face to this day.
We sold the Baron in 2000 or thereabouts.
Amazingly, someone at AirVenture this summer asked me if I still had the Baron.
That must have something to do with us painting 14W pink, white, and black. Like neapolitan ice cream, the leading third of the plane was pink, which faded into white, and the black for the tail.
Love it or hate, it was memorable. I never heard an opinion of that paint job that fell in the middle.
It is nice to see that Textron will continue to support the existing fleet of more than 6,000 Barons and more than 18,000 Bonanzas.
Thank you to everyone at Beechcraft who played a part in bringing 1014W to life.
It was an honor to fly her.
I flew a Mooney for over 30 years great plane. I retired sold the Mooney bought a Husky.
About that time the Chinese bought Mooney and shut it down most likely the technology headed east.
Easily my favorite airplane. It’s so sad that the best handling airplane of all time is going out of production.
Beechcraft can not compete against Cirrus and the reason IMO is because the Chinese purchased Cirrus and Continental engines ….
They spend big money competing against US manufacturers to take over US aircraft manufacturing ……
We need to Kick the Chinese Communist Party out of our country….
Great Memories, I’m sure were made in that plane. Awesome trips. I love the paint job. Thanks for sharing.
I was dirt poor kid and a Baron baby came along into my life for very cheap. Got it flying again and went around for 120hrs before I realized I couldnt afford it.. but like most thing, I wish I had held onto it!