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Apache to Diamond Geronimo

Upon arriving at the bird we first notice the beautiful "wet look" finish done in tough polyurethane epoxy paint. What can't be seen is the most important ingredient. . . the many hours of hand rubbing, sanding and cleaning that took place to prepare the surfaces and apply the epoxy primer which precedes the paint.
Preflighting the aircraft we can't help being comforted by knowing that if any problems are found with engines, camloc fasteners allow removal of the handsome fiberglass cowlings in less than three minutes.

After loading baggage into one of the two spacious baggage compartments (both more than 10 cubic feet) and completing our exterior preflight, we enter a beautifully designed interior with seats sculpted to emphasize lower back support, large windows and lots of elbow room.

Settling down into the pilots's seat you face a well-designed and spacious instrument panel completely shock mounted on 12 Lord mounts with switches and circuit breakers neatly placed along the base of the panel in front of you. Dual post lighting for all instruments and a zoom spot light ensure ample lighting for night trips.
In the center of the panel are two radio stacks giving ample room for "extras" such as Radar, GPS, etc. Moving through our pre-takeoff checks we soon find ourselves on the active runway.

As the throttles are eased forward the solid power of the two Lycoming 180 HP engines is felt and the 400-foot takeoff claim becomes reality. Climbing at 1500 FPM we soon reach our cruise altitude where 65% power results in 162-165 MPH indicated airspeed, truing the bird out at 180-185 MPH.

Relaxing a bit now one begins to appreciate the features added for comfort; the inflatable door seal, three dimensional sound-proofing, and optional "Q" Tip Props which combined, bring the noise level down to a very acceptable level. The relative quietness makes it easy for passengers to carry on normal coversation or to slip their seatbacks into the recline position and doze.
Dozing might be a nice way to pass the miles when one realizes the fuel stingy engines use less than 9 GPH each in economy cruise giving us six hours fuel or 900 statute miles range with reserves. Tip tanks increase range to 1500-plus miles.

Arriving over the destination, speed can be safely slowed to 80 MPH on final for the upcoming short field landing on the 1000-foot strip below us. Touching down just past the approach end, raise the flaps and gently depress the powerful brakes and voila... we still have half the runway in front of us as the bird comes to stop.
Back on terra firma again it's difficult not to reflect back on the flight with wonder at how much the Geronimo has to offer for the size of the investment. In comparing it to other birds, your pocket book will tell you there are over 100,000 reasons to go GERONIMO!


Performance Data at 3800 pounds
(Gross weight, STD Day)

• Sea Level Rate of Climb (2000 FPM)
• Top Speed (200 MPH)
  • Speed at 75% Power (190-196 MPH)
  • Speed at 65% Power (180-187 MPH)
• Take-off Distance (400 Ft.)
  • Over 50-Foot Obstacle (650 Ft.)
• Landing Distance (400 Ft.)
  • Over 50-Foot Obstacle (675 Ft.)
• Service Ceiling (23,000 Ft.)
• Single Engine Ceiling (12,000 Ft.)
• Useful Load (1400-1500 lbs.)
• Stall Speed Clean (60 MPH)
  • w/Gear and Flaps (54 MPH)
• Engine TBO (2000 HRS.)
• Fuel Capacity (108 Gallons)
  • w/Tip Tanks (156 Gallons)

• Lycoming O-360 A1D 180 HP Engines
• Hartzell HC-C2YK-2RB-7666A2 Props
• Rams Horn Control Wheels
• Tail Strobe
• Dual EGT
• Oil Warning Lights
• Southwind 20,000 BTU Heater
• Flap Gap Seals
• One Piece Windshield
• Hoerner-Type Wing Tips