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nosecone. The big round-engine nacelles have five-gallon oil tanks behind the firewalls, serviced by a cap on their side. Hubcap-size retractable landing lights swing down from under each wing for night landings. The simple maingear wheel wells have no doors.Boarding is accomplished by clambering up the left wingwalk; the right wingwalk is used for reaching the starboard fuel filler. Newberg saysCessna produced a nice aluminum ladder for boarding, which he stores in the baggage compartment. The cabin is 57 inches in height and width, allowing plenty of stretch- out room. The forward cockpit windows fold inward for ground ventilation. There’s a handy grab- handle on the windshield frame for adjusting the forward seats. The control yokes extend through the panel, and massive rudder pedals, suitable for fleece-lined flight boots,in the north country, carrying enormous loads with ease. He acquired his “Bamboo Bomber”, as its devotees affectionately call it, in 2008 from previous owner Ben Morphew, a Southwest Airlines pilot in Dallas, Texas. Newberg has chosen to protectively base it at his winter residence on Falcon Field in Arizona, where the dry climate agrees with the airplane’s wood structure.How It Looks And FliesA walkaround inspection shows the T-50 to be a generous-size airplane, nearly 10 feet tall and 42 feet in wingspan. The massive wing was built as a one-piece unit, with the fuselage placed atop it. There is nearly 300 square feet of wing area, which contributes to the Bobcat’s load-carrying and short-field performance. The pure- drag hinged wing flaps extend to 40 degrees, allowable up to 108 mph. The gear may be extended up to 150 mph, and the handcrank backup allows for retraction as well as extension. The non-retracting tailwheel is lockable for takeoff and landing. Trim tabs are provided for all three axes.Up front, the pitot/static mast is positioned well below the slim nose, in undisturbed air. Forward visibility is enhanced by the narrowAUGUST 2014TWIN & TURBINE • 9