The concept of “training” and Beechcraft go together like ketchup and ice cream, which is to say you know about both, but Beech airplanes don’t spring to mind when you think of cheap-to-fly entry-level airplanes. Nonetheless, during the heady days of GA in the 1970s, Beech did dip its toe in the trainer market. The model 19 and 23 series Beechcraft, the Musketeer, Sport and Sundowner, were Beechs answer to Pipers Cherokee line and if not the 150/152, then the 172 from Cessna. Beech didnt exactly set the world on fire with sales, but the two models did acceptably well. Theyre neither the fastest nor sleekest looking of the GA lot, Brent Earwood
Used Aircraft Guide: Beech Model 19/23
The concept of "training" and Beechcraft go together like ketchup and ice cream, which is to say you know about both, but Beech airplanes don't spring to mind when you think of cheap-to-fly entry-level airplanes. Nonetheless, during the heady days of GA in the 1970s, Beech did dip its toe in the trainer market. The model 19 and 23 series Beechcraft, the Musketeer, Sport and Sundowner, were Beechs answer to Pipers Cherokee line and if not the 150/152, then the 172 from Cessna. Beech didnt exactly set the world on fire with sales, but the two models did acceptably well. Theyre neither the fastest nor sleekest looking of the GA lot, but theyre better built than the competition and there's no question that these airplanes-really, all of the Beech line-are the best handling light GA aircraft.