LRod wrote:

While W&B may be part of it, I've long had a theory that the reason
the Bonanza had such a reputation is that doctors were among the very
few that could afford a Bonanza (and the Bonanza is/was right near the
top of the desirability scale in single engine aircraft) straight out
of the box after getting a license without working up to it through
progressively more complex airplanes like the rest of us have to. Lack
of experience basically, or as we in the ATC business used to say: a
hundred mile an hour pilot in a 200 mile an hour airplane.

That exact explanation might go for a Cirrus today. Next? VLJ's! A
400 MPH, 30,000 ft. doctor!

My experience, by the way, is mostly from the IFR
perspective, which only adds to the complexity issue.

Boy does it ever. That's something that a good, modern GPS (and the
proper training in it's use) really helps simplify. Autopilots are much
cheaper and more prevalent than the early Bonanza days, as well.

Best doctor-pilot story I've heard in a while, told to me at a fly-in in
July, by a guy based at the field where it supposedly happened:

At Republic, which is ~10 NM ENE of JFK, a Bonanza runs off the end of
the runway. FRG has ~5500 and 6500 ft runways, not exactly short or
difficult to stay on for a piston single. Upon arrival, they find a
slightly damaged aircraft with no one aboard. EMS & Airport personnel
literally beat the bushes for hours looking for the occupant(s),
thinking injured or stunned people wandered off and collapsed or got
lost on airport property. A few hours later, Dr. Anon and his
"companion" (daughter??? G), whom he doesn't want listed on reports,
appear at the FBO asking for the location and condition of the plane.
Where were they? They were late for dinner reservations!

I don't know if it's really true, but the guy telling it is a local cop
on Long Island.