AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 30

BRIEFING 

DEBONAIR SWEEPSTAKES

PROGRESS REPORT

Sticking with the ‘teardrop’
Why we’re keeping the standard windows
BY THOMAS A. HORNE

WE’VE BEEN HAVING AN INTERNAL DEBATE about one aspect of the Debonair
Sweepstakes restoration. Do we install D’Shannon Aviation’s highly popular large baggage compartment, or stick with the original? The big baggage
compartment does offer advantages. As advertised, it’s much longer and more
capacious than the stock compartment, and the modification also comes with a
larger baggage door. Our current baggage door has seen better days, as revealed
by the unsightly stop-drilled cracks around the latch assembly.
So yes, we could certainly use the room and the big door to make loading
cargo easier. However, there are some downsides, and here’s where the debate
opens up.
Why? Because if we install the big baggage compartment we change the
essence of the airplane. It means that the small third window would have to go,
and be replaced by a longer, larger third window. The standard third window,
colloquially dubbed the “teardrop” window—or, to use Beechcraft marketing
lingo of 1963, the “opera” window—is one of the defining visual signatures of
the Debonair line. If you’re looking for a Debonair on the ramp, you know to
look for that teardrop window. So in our opinion, ditching the teardrop window would mean ditching a big element of the airplane’s identity. If there’s
such a thing as overmodification, then trashing that small window meets the
definition.
D’Shannon’s baggage compartment mod requires different third windows—ones that are both larger and longer. They look like the third windows
on Bonanza F33s, and they’re needed because the baggage compartment mod
isn’t a simple extension of the compartment’s dimensions. It’s a major job that
calls for adding extra ribs and stringers in the aft fuselage, and the large windows themselves also needs extra structure.
There’s another consideration: weight and balance. A larger baggage door
and compartment may tempt a pilot to load too much heavy cargo. The implications here are much more serious than window aesthetics, in our opinion.
All Debonairs have comparatively narrow center of gravity envelopes. Load
too many people or bags and you’re asking for a CG location well aft of limits.
That’s true of all airplanes, but with Debonairs there’s an aggravating factor:
As fuel is burned the center of gravity moves aft. It all makes for an airplane
that could easily go out the back of the loading envelope on long trips with full
fuel, full seats, and a full baggage compartment.
So even though D’Shannon says scads of happy customers have opted
for the large baggage mod, we’re passing on it. Besides, our/your Debonair
will have plenty of other D’Shannon mods—enough to make it a standout
wherever it goes.
EMAIL tom.horne@aopa.org

30 | AOPA PILOT February 2013

THAT SMALL THIRD WINDOW is the mark of

all Debonairs. D’Shannon Aviation installed
new windows all around, including the
“teardrop” window. All are tinted, but the
two aftmost windows have a darker tint.
D’Shannon took the window frames down
to bare aluminum so that the paint shop
will be spared the risky business of
applying paint stripper right next to the
new windows. The standard baggage
door will be replaced, because wear and
tear has caused cracks around the latch
mechanism.

ON THE

WEB

Follow along with Editor at Large
Tom Horne as he—with a little help
from some friends (our generous
contributors)—transforms the 1963
Debonair from tired sixties crooner to an
up-to-date 2013 standout. His sweepstakes
blog is available online (www.aopa.org/
sweeps) and features journal entries,
photography, and videos of the
remarkable transformation.


http://www.aopa.org/sweeps http://www.aopa.org/sweeps http://www.aopa.org/sweeps

AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013

AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - February 2013
Contents
President’s Position
Visual Approach
Letters
Waypoints
Proficient Pilot
Safety Pilot
License to Learn
Pilot Counsel
Fly Well
Sun Power
Debonair Sweepstakes
People
Test Pilot
GA at Work
Mentor Matters
First in Class
Tale of Three Decades
No-Spin Twin
Shaking Things Up
Breach of Peace
Time in Type
At Home in the Kingdom
Ownership
Proficiency
Technique
Wx Watch
Avionics
Dogfight
Never Again
Membership
State & Local Action
Member Products
AOPA Foundation
Air Safety Institute
AOPA Insurance Services
Fly by Wire
Pilots
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - February 2013
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Cover2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 1
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - President’s Position
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 5
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 6
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 7
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 8
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 9
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Visual Approach
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 11
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Letters
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 13
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 14
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 15
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Waypoints
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 17
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Proficient Pilot
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 19
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Safety Pilot
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 21
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - License to Learn
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 23
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Pilot Counsel
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 25
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Fly Well
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 27
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Sun Power
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 29
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Debonair Sweepstakes
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 31
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - People
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 33
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Test Pilot
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 35
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - GA at Work
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 37
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 38
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 39
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 40
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 41
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - No-Spin Twin
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 43
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 44
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 45
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 46
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 47
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 48
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 49
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Shaking Things Up
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 51
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 52
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 53
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 54
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 55
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 56
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 57
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Breach of Peace
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 59
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 60
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 61
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 62
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 63
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 64
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 65
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Time in Type
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 67
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 68
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 69
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 70
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 71
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - At Home in the Kingdom
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 73
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 74
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 75
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 76
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 77
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Ownership
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 79
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 80
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Proficiency
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 82
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 83
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Technique
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 85
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 86
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Wx Watch
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 88
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Avionics
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 90
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Dogfight
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Never Again
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 93
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 94
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Membership
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - State & Local Action
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 97
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Member Products
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 99
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - AOPA Foundation
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 101
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Air Safety Institute
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 103
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - AOPA Insurance Services
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 105
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 106
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Fly by Wire
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 108
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 109
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 110
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - 111
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Pilots
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Cover3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2013 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201807
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201707
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201706
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201611
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201606
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201511
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201507
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201505
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201103_test
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201011demo
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot0308
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com