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Hi – I’m new to this site today, and frankly am here because I just saw the Meyers 200 for sale in Tx on Barnstormers. I have a military fighter background, and I really love the way this aircraft looks on the ground and in the air. I’ve just checked out in a rental Bonanza A-36 and have long had the bug for an early-to-mid 60s Bonanza or Debonair as a long-term goal.
Clearly this is an outstanding well-built type, and it really appeals to me. Wonder if others have gone through this same thought process and might offer a comparison thought or two regarding 60s Bonanza/Debonair and the Meyers. I have read enough to know the payload is the main difference. Does that really present a problem for most?
Anything else to consider?
Your planes are awesome.Many thanks for any advice.
James Jinnette, Raleigh NCJames-you are in luck. I am based at KLHZ and own a 1964C Model. I would be delighted to meet with you, fly, and answer any questions that I can.
Let me know and I can send a PM.
Best-
My last attempt to post disappeared, hopefully this one will go better.
Like you I’m in the looking to buy phase, and like you I’ve been looking at other aircraft.
First everything I’m going to say is my opinion, and it’s likely to go against what many here will say.
First I don’t have a Meyers, never even flown in one, but I’ll get back to the Meyers, let’s talk about the Bonanza.
First forget the Debonair, it was never well thought of, sort of the poor step child to the Bonanza, then secondly the A36 while a very fine aircraft, isn’t in the same price level, usually. They often are way more expensive, but if you can afford one, it’s a very good airplane, probably the best Bonanza.That takes us most likely to the V tails, which are fine aircraft, and for some reason seem to have come down in price.
If you buy a V tail that has been well maintained and if the magnesium tail skins are in good shape and you always hanger it, you’ll be fine. There is a huge community of them, many, many shops cater to them, there are many, many STC’s available and well they are everywhere so finding a knowledgeable mechanic is easy as well as parts and did I mention the STC’s? if you want to put an autopilot in, there are several to choose from.Don’t buy any airplane with the intent to leave it tied down outside, but especially a V tail bonanza, if you can’t afford a hanger, wait until you can.
I’m not sure anyone has an autopilot STC for a Meyers? I assume airframe parts like wing ribs etc or landing gear just don’t exist, where they do for the Bo. Sure a talented A&P can make wing ribs, but due to labor involved. it’s not going to be cheap, but I don’t know any that can build a nose gear.
The Bo can be a real four person airplane, useful load is part of the issue with a Meyers, the rest of the story is the narrow CG range that gets very narrow at higher weight, some will say they fly fine over gross, and I’m sure they do, but that’s not the reason for the low gross weight, look at the CG range and that will tell you what is.
Now I’m wanting an airplane for the two of us, so the low useful load isn’t an issue for me, and I have a personal attachment so emotion will out weigh logic to some extent.
I’m going into this with the understanding that owning a Meyers is a little like owning a classic Italian sports car, sleek, sexy etc., but difficult to find parts and not many understand how to work on them.
See,I want a Meyers and I understand the issues, I’ll take a V tail if I can’t find a Meyers, or even a 201 Mooney, because we are just two people, really logically the Mooney makes the most sense for us, but I want a Meyers,even if it’s not the most logical airplane for us.
My first post on this forum, glad to be aboard.
I love Jody’s comments, especially with regard to the CG challenges, issues regarding the magnesium ruddervators and a hangar being a VERY good idea. The comment about the V-tails lagging the rest of the market is right on… I maintain a spreadsheet of the pricing of various Bonanza models, and the V’s are lagging the straight tail bonanzas- the A36s, the Debonairs, and the “deb-bonanzas” (F33a, E33, etc.).
On the Debonairs being a “poor step child to the bonanza”, I do not think this is a commonly held opinion. There is a very high degree of airframe commonality between the two lines, and performance is very similar, with prices being generally higher on the straight tail side. James, I would recommend searching “v-tail versus debonair” in google, and you will quickly see that the general consensus on Debs is very positive. A Deb with an IO-470n, an IO-520, or an IO-550 is one fine airplane, IMO. There are some exceptional straight tails listed on Beechtalk right now, including a straight tail TN C33a that I wish I were in the position to buy at the moment…
Mr. Dryden-love you joining the chat and appreciate your informed input. I respect Jody’s opinion but have to agree with you as in knowing a couple of Debbie owners and having flown with them that a Deb is fine airplane, as most of the Beech fleet tends to be.
I have 600 hours in my 200C model and will tell you she is a nice airplane. She is not a 4 seat and full fuel girl. They may be one of the best 80 gallon, pilot and one pax plus full luggage bird out there, or a derivative with another passenger. The cockpit is snug, but viz is superb.
Thank you for joining the Meyers chatter.
Best-
Ed Pulliam
#285
N196MThank you Ed.
The 200’s are impressive- I haven’t ever seen one in person, and was barely aware of the type… but saw the “Used Aircraft Guide: Meyers 200” article in AVWeb, did a little research, and decided I need to know more! So that’s why I’m here.
Thanks for making me welcome.
Hi James, I am an old F4 guy myself and I mean old. I have owned my 200D sense Sept 2001. So far I have not had a problem with parts. Many parts are common to other aircraft of that vintage and there is a source for parts that are unique to the 200s from stocks that were acumulated by an idividual who specialized in Meyers. Other parts can usually be fabricated or repaired.
I have always been pleased with the way my 200 flies. It is very stable and trims out nicely. Mine has the spring operated aileron trim which doesn’t have a lot of authority but if you keep the fuel balanced it works. I tend to have just a slight ammount of pressure on the yoke prior to my time to change fuel tanks.
I still like my Meyers. It’s a great aircraft.
Mark Jensen
Thanks Mark! You’ve had your almost 20 years, very cool. That says a lot about the airframe. By the way I had my first jet ride at Bergstron in a RF-4c as a cadet – unforgettable airplane.
James,
Welcome to the Meyers website. You’ll quickly discover most Meyers owners are very proud of their aircraft. These machines are members of their families, and tend to stay with their caretakers for many years. We’ve cherished N2919T for 21 years, and acquired it from a gentleman and his wife who cared for it for nearly 30 years. The aircraft are pampered and improved by each family who has the privilege of flying them, so the next caretaker will enjoy the aircraft all the more.
I went through a similar comparison process when trying to decide which aircraft suited our needs. I researched and flew Bonanzas (66 S model appeared best of the Vs), C210s (amazing load and speed capability with the turbos), and Comanches (great for load and tall people). Each type has its advantages and shortcomings.
I was introduced to the M200 by a long time Meyers OTW owner, and never looked back. After flying N2919T at a fly-in in Heber City UT, we were hooked. Not only is the aircraft fun to fly, it is a pilot’s airplane. You have to fly it, or it will fly you and you can get behind it quickly. It is sturdy, lots of power (you can get a leg cramp on takeoff), fast, and responsive. It is not exactly what I would call stable… without an autopilot, if you let go, it will roll to the heavy wing, and it tends to tail wobble due to its short wingspan and tail moment. A straight tail Bonanza or C210 is superior in stability, but both lack in performance and handling. All big bore 6 cylinder engined aircraft burn lots of gas and aren’t inexpensive to fly around the pattern (4 cyl fixed gear 2 seat Experimentals are cheaper). You’ll also want a hangar to keep the rain and mice out.
What truly sold us on the aircraft is the camaraderie and fellowship of our Meyers group. The friends we have made and the support we provide each other is like being in a tight knit military unit. Even though we are spread across the country, we are able to reach out to one another when we stumble across a unique mechanical issue not experienced previously, when in need of a part, or when discussing aircraft handling qualities. Being a small community, we enjoy learning of each other’s adventures and experiences. We hold annual gatherings, with locations voted on by members and hosted by members. And as you have seen in these threads, we are open to sharing our thoughts and experiences freely and without judgement.
I encourage you to visit Ed or me (we’re at SC01) if you can find a moment to examine the aircraft and ask questions to your heart’s content. Then you can decide for yourself if your desire to own and fly an airplane is for travel and convenience, or living a life-long experience with a rare aircraft that has fabulous performance.
Holler with questions…
VR, Tom Thibodeau
757-870-2474I am a bonanza owner, new member here. I would like to upgrade to a 200d.
I have a great , well equipped H-35 bonanza if anyone on the forum is interested.No i have not. It is an H-35 , io-260n with GAMI, Electroair ignition, D’shannon xhausr and floor. About 1300 hr engine. I did a top IRAN as it had been sitting a while. Cylinders were ported and polished on exhaust.
Airframe about 6000 hrs, paint good , interior OK, glass good.
D’shannon VGsAvionics
Garmin 375
Two garmin nav/coms
Three G5 s one one copilot side
Garmin 275 engine monitor
Stec 3100 autopilotFlown regularly N5500D
I do not have many photos as i had not planned to sell until i got the 200d fever.
My dealer friend says it is worth 130k
Best
RRocky:
Sounds like a nice airplane.
I watch the bonanza pricing pretty closely, and 130K sounds about right. The V-tail and straight tail pricing has been holding up well- at least compared to some of the other models that have really started to fall off. I recommend listing it fast though- from what I am seeing over the last 3 months the market has really started to cool off with higher interest rates and higher fuel prices. My club is trying to sell a 182 right now, and it’s amazing how little activity there is on the buy side. Crickets!
Ted
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