American Bonanza Society

A propeller overspeed is one of those emergencies pilots rarely discuss—but when it happens, you need to recognize it and react immediately.

In this Tuesday Tip with Tom, Tom Turner explains what causes a propeller overspeed, why it can become a serious threat to both the engine and airframe, and the four memory items every Beechcraft® pilot should know.

You’ll learn:
✈️ How oil pressure controls most Bonanza and Debonair propellers
⚙️ Why a loss of oil pressure can cause propeller RPM to rapidly increase
🔊 What a propeller overspeed looks, sounds, and feels like in flight
⚠️ Why overspeed can lead to engine damage, seizure, or even propeller blade separation
📋 The four-step emergency response: throttle, airspeed, oil pressure, and landing as soon as possible

Being familiar with this seldom-discussed emergency can help you react quickly and confidently if it ever occurs.

When should you retract the landing gear after takeoff? Immediately after establishing a positive rate of climb? Only after there’s no usable runway remaining? The answer depends on the airplane—and the situation.

In this Tuesday Tip with Tom, Tom Turner explains the reasoning behind different gear retraction techniques in Bonanzas, Debonairs, Barons, and Travel Airs.

You’ll learn:
✈️ What Beechcraft® POHs recommend for post-takeoff gear retraction
⚡ Why 14-volt and 28-volt systems behave differently
📉 How gear cycling affects drag and climb performance
🛬 Why some pilots delay retraction until there’s no usable runway left
🔵 Why “Positive rate, gear up” is especially important in twins

Tom also explains how obstacle clearance, runway remaining, and engine-out considerations factor into your decision-making after takeoff.

Fuel Gauges: The ‘Only Accurate When Empty’ Myth
You’ve probably heard the claim: “Fuel gauges only have to be accurate when empty.”
That’s one of the most common myths in general aviation—and it’s wrong.
In this Tuesday Tip with Tom, Tom Turner explains what the regulations actually require, why accurate fuel gauges are critical even with modern fuel totalizers, and how faulty gauges contribute to fuel-related accidents.
You’ll learn:
⛽ What 14 CFR 23.1337 really says about fuel gauge accuracy
📊 Why fuel totalizers do not replace fuel gauges
⚠️ How inaccurate gauges can hide leaks, data-entry errors, or fuel imbalance
🔧 What kinds of fuel gauge behavior indicate the system needs repair
📘 Why fuel gauge reliability is checked during every annual inspection
Reliable fuel gauges are more than a convenience—they’re an essential backup to your fuel management strategy and a key part of safe operation in your Beechcraft®.

Many Bonanzas and Debonairs include a little-known feature designed to help pilots achieve maximum horsepower during takeoff and climb at any altitude: the fuel flow gauge altitude brackets.

In this Tuesday Tip with Tom, Tom Turner explains how these markings work and how to use them to properly lean for takeoff and climb performance.

You’ll learn:
⛽ Why Beech added altitude-based fuel pressure and fuel flow targets to the panel
📊 The difference between early PSI-based systems and later GPH fuel flow markings
✈️ How to lean for best power during takeoff and climb
🌡️ Why aiming for the high end of the bracket improves cooling
📘 Which airplanes include additional cruise leaning brackets

If your Beechcraft still has its factory fuel flow or fuel pressure gauge markings, they provide a fast and effective way to set mixture for high-density altitude operations.

Confirming the landing gear is down takes more than just checking for three green lights. Your Beechcraft® gives you multiple cues—if you know how to recognize them.

In this Tuesday Tip with Tom, Tom Turner explains how to use sound, feel, performance, and visual indicators to confirm proper gear extension every time.

You’ll learn:
👂 What normal gear extension sounds like—and what’s not normal
✈️ How the airplane should feel during gear extension
📉 How gear extension affects performance and descent profile
💡 Why indicator lights alone aren’t enough
🛬 Why keeping your hand on the gear switch matters until confirmation is complete

Using all available cues helps you detect abnormalities early and avoid gear-related incidents before landing.