Beechcraft Sundowner Is A Great Plane For Starter Pilots

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The Beechcraft Sundowner is not a plane you hear much about. It’s an older 4 seater, true crosscountry aircraft that perhaps have been sideswiped by its bigger competitors, namely the piper cherokee/arrows and Cessna 172.
But this aircraft is legitimately one of the better planes to fly for new pilots. Whether you’re just a beginning, training for your next ticket or just need an airplane to build time, you need not look any further.
Now we will put a big emphasis on building time because the Beechcraft Sundowner is not the quickest plane in it’s class. Expect only about 105kt - 110kt in cruise. So roughly 120 mph. And you’d be burning close to 12 gallons of fuel per hour at that cruise speed.
A well maintained Sundowner can be had for $40k - $50k. Maintenance may pose some challenges if something breaks. One of the reasons some pilots shy away from the Sundowner is because there isn’t readily available parts like the Cherokees.
Here are some performance specs for the Beechcraft Sundowner
Engine: 180HP Lycoming
Useful load: 948 pounds
Baggage capacity: 270 pounds
Fuel capacity: 58 gallons
Cruise speed: 120 mph
Fuel burn: 11 - 12 gallons per hour
Range: up to 700 miles
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[@dougfaucette2748]

I need to correct one bit of information stated here. All Sundowners has a 180hp O-360 engine, not the IO-360 engine. There was a Super Musketeer made for a few years with the 200hp IO-360. And all Sierras had the 200hp IO-360. Also, early Musketeers came with three different engines - the O-320 on the 1963 model, the Continental IO-346 in the "A" models and Lycoming O-360 in the "B" models. The transition the name "Sundowner" happened around 1970 or 1971. The later Sundowners are all "C" models that have the O-360 as well.

[@BudRaymond]

Correct!

[@bobcole612]

The next step up from the Sundowner was the Sierra. 200 HP, constant speed prop, retractable gear. Also a great flying plane.

[@goneflying140]

I got to fly one once on a ferry flight. It was great.

[@quidestnunc9238]

Insurance is an issue these days for retracts. Thus, Musketeers with fixed gear (and Fuel Injection) such as the Super III are ideal (other than Mooney and Cirrus PIO/Crow Hopping similarities).

[@dominicottaviano]

Corrections: Not IO-360, it’s O-360. Landing gear is trailing link, no getting used to, no bounce unless you force landing like any plane. Burns 10 gal hour. Cruise is 110kts solid @ 10 gph. No elevator, it’s a stabilator. G5 is not backup, it is primary attitude. Not throttle and mixture levers, they are vernier knobs. One of the other partners is 6’4” and fits comfortably. 110kts is 127mph.

[@muldrowe]

Cracks me up when you say, "Very neat, nothing special here."

[@skinz4q]

I had a 1963 B23 (Musketeer) for many years. Very forgiving, economical and reliable trainer with 160HP Lycoming power that carries a fairly big load. The biggest difference between the Musketeer and the Sundowner is the left side door. Controls are solid rods (as opposed to cables), and proper maintenance of the rod-end bearings is ESSENTIAL (but easy.) Free-swiveling nose gear, unlike the Cherokee. I like this system better for its simplicity and lower maintenance. Fuel capacity is 10 gal more than the Cherokee. Most parts are still readily available. A good (old-timer) mechanic is an absolute must, but anyone who knows the Cherokee line will feel right at home working on these older Beech models. It's a simple, straight-forward plane. Mine cost me about $8700, and I sold it about 15 years later for the same money.

[@bobcole612]

Love the Sundowner. My first ever ride in a GA aircraft was in a Sundowner with my high school astronomy teacher. My first solo was in a Sundowner, 1017L, at Tradewind Airport in Amarillo, TX, in 1979.

[@scarybaldguy]

"Take that, Piper!" LOL Also, an IO-360 with carb heat? That's new.

[@dominicottaviano]

It’s an O-360

[@Armafly]

I have a lot of memories...my flight training...my PPL...my flights around Chicago. It was my favorite airplane and I got more than 130 hours in 4 different Sundowners.

[@sabas.koontz1701]

love the sundowner. Hope to buy one or a piper warrior (91 hrs.) within the next year. Thanks for the info.

[@Jaden48108]

It's a pretty plane with adequate function. Good time builder.

[@rd4660]

That spinner looks like on of those rocket bras from the 50s.

[@20Westbook]

You are absolutely correct and the Sundowner is a well kept secret, or was! I restored and operated a 73 up to a few years ago. But if buying be sure to check out full AD and SB compliance on the forward spar attachment fittings. In addition get a borescope inspection internally of the flaps as they are prone to holding water and corrode internally real bad to the point where I have seen some destroy the frames. Trailing link gear works well if maintained and unfortunately some are not. Good solid does what it says on the tin Beechcraft 👍

[@777tommie77]

Thank you for keeping the spirit alive.

[@mgkroth]

Thanks for the tour of the Sundowner. When I was in the market for a plane, it was on my list. I never could find any walkarounds until now. Thanks again!

[@JGR53W]

That's what I learned on back in the 90's. It's what the U of Illinois aviation program started us on.

[@summeronio9751]

I dont see many of us brothers out here as pilots. Big respect to you bro and stay safe.

[@kenngross5306]

Joey Thompson I agrée and it is so good to see. Thanks Mike.

[@curtisstapleton7167]

Exactly 💯

[@boogerwood]

Love your reviews! been eyeballing one for me and my son for training and beyond.

[@johnjohnson5496]

Man the addition of a door on the pilot's side really can't be understated - having to clamber over the passenger seat in a tight cockpit like in the Archer gets old really quickly lol

[@ActualKaktus]

Took my first flights on one of these! N8823S.

[@jtelevenoyd1571]

The only Beech single I've ever been in was a Sundowner. Cool little airplane.

[@summeronio9751]

They're cool little planes. Baby Bonanzas

[@andrewboehme7889]

Haha started with the Sport then Sundowner. Flew Sierra for complex hours.

[@scrapperstacker8629]

Interesting plane. And great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@jayo6725]

Nice job Mike! The Sundowner looks a lot more stout than a Cessna or Piper. The landing gear should really take a beating. 11 GPH for 100 knots is a lot of fuel though. I had a couple of Cherokees that burned about 9 gph at 100 knots. The range is enormous but as someone said---most human bladders can't last that long! Of course the big issue with the P28's is the wing spar AD. But with purchase prices in the 40's, Sundowners a lot cheaper than many 172's these days.

[@dominicottaviano]

It’s 10gph at 110kts. His numbers were off.

[@kennethpadgettflightparame3548]

I have started looking at the Sundowner to buy as a first-time plane owner and to build time. Looking for an IFR equipped one.

[@TrainSounds]

The musketeer only has one door but the sundowner has two, right?

[@mh8757]

This plane is neat AF!

[@carlhopkinson]

Hint: the bright colors indicate a fresh paint job to hide the cracks.

[@dominicottaviano]

That makes zero sense, most older aircraft have been repainted at least once.

[@King_TuTT]

cracks me up. you say Leaver instead of lever. LOL

[@markhathaway9456]

and it's not even a lever, it's a push-pull thing

[@rickc303]

Kudos on the owner for not wearing a ridiculous mask 🙄

[@nateb19]

Beautiful plane. 180 HP seems kinda overkill for a trainer that you are building time in though. Nice to have 4 seats though I’d you want to bring family. As always there are trade offs.

[@pjsministry7316]

Very informative video. Tks,,

[@dlavarco]

Nice airplane. I was hoping you would have gotten into the fixed prop pitch design as you said you would have later in the video.

[@HurrikaneAlpha]

In the cockpit you could only see the throttle and fuel mixture controls

[@alexandrenazario7857]

Hi Mike...Fly with your plane to brazil and we will have a nice barbecue. Congratulations on the great job man but I love your videos.

[@DanKoerner]

My dad had one of these and I flew it a few times lol

[@thomasbeck9075]

That's a nice plane 👍

[@SkyNdiveProductions]

Thanks for the vid. Can you tell me What are some common issues with these planes?

[@viperdriver82]

Is that a Horizontal stabilator ??

[@michaelbrinkley9323]

Very nice!!

[@michaela.660]

Nice plane but, all I see is a two door piper 140 that burns 2 GPH more. It's a shame it doesn't get a better cruise speed to make up the difference !

[@dominicottaviano]

Huge difference between Beechcraft and Piper, comparing Chevy vs Cadillac. He was wrong, fuel burn is 10gph and the cabin has more room than anything in its class.

[@ValentinoDagher]

Helicopter enhancing audio it sounds like.

[@jacknisen]

But how does it fly?

[@NCherokee]

How many hours do you have now?

[@N98858]

...Got my Private in a Sundowner N812Y ';-)

[@mikewaterfield3599]

Trailing link gear, uncommon on light aircraft. What are you doing for that kind of fuel burn? 1500' rich, and wide open? I had a cutlass with the same power plant averaged 8-9 gph. Under sung family of planes. Not a bo, and not as common as a skyhawk.

[@Harmonikaklange]

You know whaam saying

[@Er.Bugati]

#Hi buddy.. plz give me an idea.. I'm an #Electronic Engineer ...i want to get helicopter pilot license what is the cost? and which place and institute cheap plz let me know..😊😊😊

[@waqarsyed6641]

Mike

[@TCFixerDude]

Interesting plane. Nice lines. 11 GPH seems like a steep burn rate...

[@dominicottaviano]

It’s 10gph in cruise

[@flexairz]

The pandemic that was blown out of proportion.

[@zutrue]

Yeah...tell that to the 60,000 people in this country alone that have died!!! Tell that to their loves ones too. And I suspect that that is actually a low ball figure. But...now back to the airplane, huh?

[@tomwolf8721]

@@zutrue We now know that number is falsse too. The actual death rate if we follow the Presidents recommendation of hydroxychloroquine and zpac and zinc is 0.5%. Much less than the flu which has killed 50,000 so far in this country. Note that flu, cancer, heart disease have been labeled corona. Check the expected deaths for all those, especially in democrat states. You will find a big drop. Guess where the expected deaths are counted, yes, corona virus. Do some research never trust a government with an agenda.

[@EJWash57]

PANDEMIC - got it?

[@simeon2851]

I hate masks. Edit: but I love your videos!

[@nathanaller2835]

I can't hear you with your face diaper on.

[@nickbelanger5225]

What's up Mike! Small world. I was flying with my dad the other day and saw this Sundowner at LZU!

[@joebloggs8785]

This example is beautiful in its own way; every crack and stain tells the story of its history, although my wife would take one look at the condition and refuse to get in!

[@Karl__Pierre]

You should see my bird... when I saw this one I thought she looks sweet haha

[@mikewaterfield3599]

First thing I remind people of who are skeptical of old aircraft, how the hell do you think she got this old?

[@marsgal42]

I fly a '63 Musketeer. Like the Sundowner, a delight to fly, cavernous interior, Beechcraft build quality. Also like the Sundowner, slow and intolerant of sloppy landings. I view the flying range as limited by biology, not by fuel. :-)

[@Ulbre]

limited by biology I'm guessing that you are talking about fella's like me.....170lb when I got my licence back in 91.....39 years on...suddenly 253lb!!!!!!!

[@mkshffr4936]

The prostate factor. ;)

[@aaronbrown6266]

Tell me more about the intolerance of sloppy landings, please?

[@marsgal42]

@@aaronbrown6266 They porpoise a lot easier than comparable planes (PA28, 172, etc.).

[@mkshffr4936]

@@aaronbrown6266 They have rubber doughnuts for suspension and that combined with landing attitude (angle) means that if you come in too hot or land nose wheel first things can get out of hand quickly. Not a killer but you have to watch your numbers and be ready to go around.

[@dougfaucette2748]

If you are interested in buying one of these type of Beech models, do yourself a favor and join the Beech Aero Club. Its a type club that covers these specific Beech aircraft. Best $50 spent in aviation. You will learn a lot from experts and perhaps save yourself some serious money if you decide to purchase one of these fine aircraft.

[@N777KD]

I think I owned N9743L in the late ‘80s in New Hampshire.

[@dominicottaviano]

Used to have yellow and black stripe, I’ve been managing it for about eight years.

[@curtisstapleton7167]

My brother not only a good video ..but thanx for posting with a mask ..it keeps it all in perspective

[@MultiFisherofmen]

Curtis Stapleton 😐

[@curtisstapleton7167]

@@MultiFisherofmen .what

[@hefeibao]

Love how packed with info these vids are - thanks!

[@logicreversed18t]

I enjoy your reviews, but may I make a suggestion? Try and create a logical template to follow. For reference, check out how Doug DeMuro reviews cars. He has a formula he follows every time. It's logical and easy to follow. I also like Flying Doodles. In his plane review videos, not only does the owner do most of the talking, but they also fly. Importantly, he also spends a few minutes in the beginning of the video to give context to the plane: years built, numbers built, etc. I think a hybrid of these two approaches would net GREAT content and excellent information. Thanks for the content and keep grinding.

[@mojogrip]

Noted! Appreciate the feedback Christian.

[@klmelj]

All the good partnerships are away from FTY…You ever think about a Beechcraft 35? Lovely bird and robust after the initial required AD from the manf!

[@The1trueJester]

I've always been a fan of Beech over cessna and piper. Love this review, thanks for the well presented info

[@paulmartos7730]

I trained on Cessnas and later Pipers but once flew a Beechcraft Skipper T-tail, in performance somewhere between a Cessna 150 and a 172 and clearly well built. I found it easy to fly and with a great view outside.

[@billbingding8268]

Hello. I like the previous comment about getting a flow down for your videos similar to FlyingDoodles. Either way I love the airplane. How is the kit build coming along. I saw you wanted the interior black, what about the outside? Any sketches of what it will look like?

[@MistyMountainVideo]

I preface this acknowledging I am NOT a Pilot. Just trying to figure out the math as far as range goes. Even using the 11GPH. So 58 gallons / 11GPH = 5.27 hours of flight time. at (X) 120 MPH cruising speed = 632 miles. if it were 12GPH the range would be 580 miles. Obviously the range is calculated differently for planes. How so?

[@MistyMountainVideo]

Never mind, I went to the website www.aopa.org/go-fly/aircraft-and-ownership/aircraft-fact-sheets/beechcraft-sundowner and according to them, the range is 550 nautical miles which equals 632 statute miles. I can't believe I had such a hard time with math in HS.

[@daveminnigerode8274]

Couple of things. - Not all the fuel is usable. So likely usable fuel is 50 gal or so. - Drag goes up by square of speed => more power => a lot more fuel use for just a little more speed => actual less range. It’s a curve (depending on weight/temp etc). The engine/airplane owners manual has all sorts of charts to help you make the trade off for speed/range.

[@1shARyn3]

ELT antenna is that one at the forward edge of the dorsal fin fairing. Maybe you were thinking of the ADS-B or transponder antenna?

[@stephenb7067]

Experience taught me add a tiny bit of throttle in the flair for smooth nose-high touchdowns. All of those series are nose-heavy and the elevators do not have enough authority. The tweak of throttle manages that. A rear CG makes it easier to land also, but I hear the nose is heavy to prevent inadvertent spins. That nose-heavy also hurts the top speed.

[@047thRonin]

Mike! my man! you're back!!! thank you brother, cool video, and exactly why some of us follow you. Stay safe brother, the best for you and your family!

[@Ulbre]

11:30 "We're both pretty big guys too" Big guys> Yes. Pretty? I'll leave that up to the ladies to decide lol

[@nicholaslongaker7065]

how happy to see your channel grow over the years. subscribed when I was a student. Thank you for your hard work :)

[@AT502]

I owned a Sundowner back in the mid '80s ... I loved that airplane!

[@shawnengstrom3906]

Got my privates in a Beech Sport, instrument in a Sundowner and commercial multi in a Duchess.

[@Pareshdas89]

Hi mike, i have a question. Will the prices of an used aircraft be affected by the current global issue of covid19??

[@mojogrip]

Not likely. It's such a niche market that I don't think there will be any changes

[@neocor2000]

Virgin msg board. I’ll have a look out in Aus for them. Normally see Cessnas everywhere. Would need a door mod to skydive out of

[@MadelineVail]

Bummer unscubscribed. I can't trust the sense of someone that wears a mask on camera, outside, with no one else around. WTH?

[@BlueRGuy]

It's just a mask?

[@Acc0rd79]

I recently purchased a 1975 Beechcraft Sierra B24!! It's basically the same plane but with a 200hp engine and retract gear. I wish you guys could have flown the plane together and make a video on that.

[@planestomp]

Taking first class in one

[@rv7pilot]

My first plane. I still love the Sundowner.

[@DOLRED]

I believe Beechcraft intended to make their "Skipper" a trainer aircraft. I took a flight in one in 1985. Don't know what happened there but Skipper was discontinued(?) soon after it was introduced. The Sundowner is a "Tank" IMO. PS edit, only 300+ Skippers were built!!! A rare one. The web says the big downturn in 1980s GA killed it.

[@doranjaffas7351]

"Take that Piper"...grrrreat Mike! This was truly a humorous and well done video Mike! With your sense of humor I think it was one of your best! I want to point out something to you though that you probably already know and I'm sure others know out there as well but every panel on an airplane is beautiful! I am very fond of the steam gauges and their look but that is partly due to my age. I'm 59. I am not old but I'm old enough to have trained back when Garmin wasn't even a blip on the radar. That being said some glass does have its place and I use a modern-day GPS in my experimental aircraft and the particular design that I fly was designed back in 1954 and has quite a history behind it. My example was built in the year 2002 or rather first flown in 2002 by the builder. Again Mike,, great video and well done on the details of an often-overlooked aircraft! My congratulations to the owner as well. He has a very sharp looking aircraft and it can give him many years of service if he chooses not to slide over to something else. Now for a question... Have you ever thought about doing a review on a piper PA 22 150? I put many hours in one of those and it is a throwback to an aviation era that was just beginning to expand the envelope and the venerable Tri-Pacer was considered a true cross country aircraft. Still is by those of us that love them even though I have moved over to a different type of airplane now. As I have mentioned before,, I have flown many types of aircraft and have the various ratings that come with years of flying though I never have done it commercially because I never wanted anyone to tell me when I had to fly or when I couldn't. Call it a control issue I guess! Still with all the fancy stuff I have flown and some of them beautiful, to me aviating is about the simplest of aircraft and the pleasures one gets from going somewhere in a work of art of aviation that they can call their own.

[@Aviatorpassion]

how much isit?

[@richieforthewin1422]

I'm pretty surprised with the financing options for planes, just curious (question for really anyone who has experience buying a plane) is $282.13 a month something someone (if so who?) can realistically expect for a $42,000 USD 1975 BEECHCRAFT C23 SUNDOWNER 180? I'm only 15 and have no experience financing anything and I obviously have no line of credit and no experience flying, but a general fascination towards aviation (I purchased a demo flight and I'm going to take it as soon as the pandemic allows for it). I'm definitely not planning on buying a plane any time soon by any means but looking up some of these planes for sale has really sparked some curiosity in me.

[@zendoc49]

I wonder who wound up owning my 9355 S, that I bought in 1985 from a c5 galaxy pilot from Seattle. Finally sold it in 1990 I believe. I had it hangared in Dunkirk,NY

[@jonjonthejetplane]

Shh Sundowners are supposed to be kept secret. I have a huge majority of my 1200 hours in C23s and B19s, and I can't buy one down the road if you keep hyping them up ;) These things are great for training. I tell my students that if you can land a Beech, you can land anything.

[@rapmcburney2625]

For those who want more detailed into about the Musketeer, Sundowner, Sport, Sierra series join beechaeroclub.org. 700+ members supporting this fine airplane. MG: Thanks for the great walkaround and fair commentary.

[@aldohattonduran5227]

🏆🥇💪🏼

[@iflycentral]

ELT is in the tail on mine. Has a test button on the right side of the fuselage, but then again; mine is a 1980 vintage.

[@jeremyc311709]

Flown a musketeer but never a sundowner

[@jasoncowart3774]

I currently own a 1981 beechcraft sundowner. It's a great starter airplane. It flys better than a cessna to me. The landing takes a little more practice because the sundowner is nose heavy but once you master it your good. I added 45lbs of weight to the baggage compartment to correct the weight and balance. Good video Mike.

[@AClark-gs5gl]

180-H.P., 3-blade prop and wheel pants would increase ramp appeal imho.

[@mintyfreshbreath3945]

ever seen a T tailed bonanza?...i have...and the the proposed twin engine staggerwing.

[@vineetsingh5801]

👍

[@ericlobdell6484]

I'm really becoming a fan of Beechcraft planes. Nice to see they have a lower end model, tho I'd love to own a Bonanza someday. SOMEDAY! :)

[@LyndaWhite-ju1gj]

I flew the Beech Sport back in early 90’s slow but so easy to fly.

[@iyitavsan3076]

Can you test drive a cessna with a V8? Hola from Russia

[@franciscoribeiro6223]

what website do you recomend to look for planes for sale?

[@Karl__Pierre]

Looking like Casey Jones hahahaha

[@jamesharkness1058]

These airplanes are the best bang for the buck, and they are extremely well built with very few AD’s

[@nevadahamaker7149]

I'm currently evaluating a 1974 Sundowner for purchase. Well, actually, it's a Musketeer but it was upgraded to be effectively a Sundowner. The only practical difference is that it doesn't have the third window on each side. One thing to note is that it has a narrower CG envelope than, say, a Cessna 172. Depending on how much weight is in the front seats, and how much fuel you're carrying, you may actually need to put some weight in the baggage compartment as ballast.

[@nevadahamaker7149]

I did end up purchasing that plane. I can fly it with full tanks (though I've only filled it to 40 gallons so far) without ballast. I haven't taken anyone else yet but, when I do, I'll likely put some weight in the baggage compartment. I picked up a pair of 25 lb. bags of shot originally designed for use on wakeboarding boats. But they're perfect for this, with handles and d-rings I can use to better secure them. I've only flown it three times so far, the first time with an instructor for insurance purposes and because it's just a good idea. But I've already fallen in love with it and I'm looking forward to building time in it, as well as taking friends and family flying with me.

[@davidburton4582]

That's a nice little airplane.

[@shawnleary]

Pinch down on that metal across the bridge of your knows to get a better seal on the N95 mask! Great videos!

[@aaronbrown6266]

Knows. Nice suggestion genius.