Dr. Ron Topal, a dentist in Peekskill, New York, admits he is "a tough guy to please." But he adds quickly that he is totally pleased with his Colemill President II Baron conversion.
"It has changed the airplane. It has changed my appreciation of flying and the conversion has kept me in this airplane. I was thinking of buying a pressurized Baron. But I'm glad I didn't because this is better," he said.
When asked about the performance of his President II, Dr. Topal said, "The climb is tremendous. I climb at 2500 feet per minute all the way up to 7500 feet at 140 knots indicated. I know that sounds outrageous. But that's what it does. I true out at normal cruise at 205 knots. The airplane is absolutely terrific. I'm overwhelmed with it. I'm a tough guy to please but the airplane is far better than my expectations."
In addition to having the President II conversion performed on his Baron, Dr. Topal also elected to have Colemill install the optional "Zip-Tip" winglets. The winglets improve lift and stability and, of course with extra fuel, the range of the airplane.
Dr. Topal said he flies regularly from his home in New York to a small island in the Bahamas. Prior to the conversion, he said, the trip took about six and a half hours because he flew from New York to Charleston, from Charleston to Melbourne, and from Melbourne to the Bahamas. Now the trip is an hour and a half quicker because he can fly from New York to Charleston and then directly to the Bahamas. The island where he lands has no avgas available. But that's no problem, Dr. Topal said. He has enough fuel left on his arrival in the Bahamas to get him safely back to Wilmington, North Carolina.
Colemill's President II Baron conversion is available for 55A and 55B models. The modification includes installation of Continental I0-550 300 h.p. engines. (For complete information concerning the many advantages of these outstanding engines, please see the Starfire Bonanza story beginning on page one of this edition of the COLEMILL COMMENTARY.)
The President II modification also includes new three blade props and a Shadin Digiflow fuel computer.
