Airline Pilot Central Forums - Looking for my first twin engine

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlewNavy (Post 2310535)

Lastly a high performance single does almost as well as a twin and statistically is no less safe.

Statistically speaking, piston twins are LESS safe according to the NTSB

Quote:

Originally Posted by N3165P (Post 2313309)

I was in the market for a four place single several years ago. As you did, I started to look at light twins. I bought an Apache with new motors and props. The price we settled on was in the mid 30 thousand. My aircraft is STCed auto gas, and burns at cruise 16 to 17 an hour, my best is 15 an hour. I routinely cruise at 11.5 and 10.5 depending on which way I am going. The aircraft is extremely stable on an ILS approach. My single engine performance: At gross I can hold altitude at 5,000 MSL 100 mph. I also fly over a lot of open water, nothing beats the feeling of a second engine purring along when your family is with you. I do a lot of my own maintenance and agree if you can't do most of it yourself it can get expensive, but it is not difficult. I highly recommend a twin engine aircraft.

Is the MoGas STC for the 540?

Saw a LOT of great ideas. My professional opinion:

Piper:

Aztec As stated above, I like the Aztec. Could still get parts (at least that was true 5 years ago) and relatively easy to work on. Easy to fly. Good in icing conditions.

Cherokee 6 Preferably the-301 model is a great overall plane with great useful load and relatively long legs. Might be a bit slow for 800-1000 flights. Parts and maintenance same as above. Easy to fly

Navajo: Great plane, VERY hard to get parts for. The parts you CAN find are expensive. As much as I like the plane, i have to suggest against buying one.

Beech:

Baron with the Garmins are good on speed and might even have good de-ice. maintenance is ok, I'm not sure but I believe parts are available for the newer models since they are still being built. You'll need to be a better pilot since things happen a bit faster and she will bite you if you're not paying attention. Have your proficiency sharp before flying low IFR with icing. (although this is true in all planes, since the Baron is higher performance, it applies even more so)

Skip all of the other Beech piston. Pound for pound and hour for hour, they are always more expensive. Such strange beasts to work on

Commander:
I like the plane but there are corrosion concerns. Be sure to get a great pre buy. Parts are a bit difficult. Great to fly. The models with TKS anti icing can handle really bad weather.

Cessna:

C-206: like the Cherokee6, holds a lot, flies well, relatively simple maintenance, might be a bit slow for longer trips.

C340A and the C414A are the way to go if you HAVE to buy a twin Cessna. I'd go with the 414A for the wet wing and no tip tanks.
They have turbos so more maintenance and a more precise flying technique to keep the engines happy (including but not limited to shock cooling). The 414A is a GREAT flying airplane and will actually train you for flying a straight flying Citation for the future (they always felt the same to me). Bonus: room for skis in the nose. Turbo and pressurized means a LOT more maintenance.

The Cirrus is a good plane, a bit over rated, but still good. Not really big enough for a full family and stuff and fuel.

I would avoid turbos if possible. But I'm a cheap bastard.
Pressurization almost ALWAYS requires a turbo. I avoid them because, cheap bastard
Also, I'd avoid retractable gear with a single engine piston. not much extra speed and a LOT more expense (Pattern: cheap bastard)

Still going to point to the Aztec. It's just such a versatile plane.