Peter R. wrote
Good point, Michael. I am going to be even more conservative than that.
Despite 550 hours in a C172, I've lowered my expectation to at least 25
hours to check out in the Bo, most due to IMC/night IMC challenges in an
aircraft that can over-speed in an unusual attitude in seconds.

Actually, any fast and efficient airplane can overspeed in an unusual
attitude in seconds. The Bo is no more prone to it than other
airplanes that offer similarly efficient cruise. There's no magic to
it - if you want to go fast and not burn a ton of gas, you have to
make the plane slippery. Slippery planes accelerate quickly when the
nose comes down.

The difference between the Bo and other airplanes in its class is the
landing qualities. The plane is so easy to land that it will lull you
into a false sense of security if you let it. It's no more difficult
in night/IMC than other planes in its class.

I think a 25 hour minimum is excessive. With 550 hours and an
instrument rating, you could transition into a twin (and I mean a real
twin like a C-310, not a trainer like a Seminole) and do it safely in
25 hours given good instruction. The Bo shouldn't take more than half
that. I suspect your insurance company is going to want 10-15 hours,
and with quality instruction that should be plenty.

The key is getting good quality instruction. Your open pilot warranty
is probably going to require 800-1500TT, 200-500 retract, and 25 in
make and model. First off, I suggest you NOT ask the insurance
company to name someone who doesn't meet that. Second, I suggest you
look for someone who has lots of experience flying and teaching in
that class of airplane. Bonanza time is best, and your top choice
would be someone who owns his own Bo, but time in similarly performing
airplanes is almost as good. Baron or TravelAir, Comanche (single or
twin), Cessna 210 or 310, Bellance 14-19 or Viking, that kind of
thing. Stay away from the guy with 40 hours of Bonanza time picked up
while getting someone an instrument rating and lots of retract time in
Arrows, Seminoles, C-172RG's, Duchesses, and other retracts that are
purpose-built as trainers. They are not the same class of airplane,
and thus your transition training will take longer and be of lower
quality.

Michael