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3 Answers

What do “Bonanza drivers” mean?

Asked by: 6868 views ,
Flight Instructor

When reviewing the article below, I notice "bonanza drivers" which I don't know what do they mean.

I checked online dictionaries and was told that it's related to　cargo transportation. Do Bonanza drivers mean giant airplane drivers? I assume cargo airplane is always huge and it's difficult to slow down.

Your kind response will be highly appreciated.

"Another consideration on the approach is airspeed control - and that really begins about 20 miles from the airport.

Begin to slow the airplane down well away from the airport. Why do we want to do this? Well, it will give us more time to think, it will also put us in a better position to descend when the time comes to descend.

Many Bonanza drivers think their airplane will not fly below 150 knots. This isn't true. As a result, they make life very difficult for themselves intercepting the localizer at high speed.

Get the speed down, put out ten degrees of flaps. This will assist you in any descents you have to make and give you a lot more time to think.

Use the landing gear if that is appropriate in the airplane you are in. Some airplanes have a higher landing gear operating speed than they do flap speed. So, if the landing gear will help you slow down, use it.

Don't be afraid to slow down your airplane. Just because others on the approach may be doing 170 to 210 knots - might be jet traffic for instance - the fact that you are going to fly the airplane at 100 knots is of no consequence to anyone else. ATC will sequence you appropriately."

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3 Answers



  1. Matthew Waugh on Oct 05, 2010

    They mean pilots of Beech Bonanzas.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechcraft_Bonanza
     

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  2. Best Answer


    Andrew Leonard on Oct 05, 2010

    Cessna 206 pilots are also sometimes refered to as drivers. Both the Bonanza and the 206 are larger, capable single-engine aircraft. The 206, especially, is used for carrying things and for photography, so the pilots are usually commercially-licensed, hence “drivers.”

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  3. Anais on Oct 05, 2010

    Thank you both!!!

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