1900D questions
Ladies and gentleman, I have found this site very informative and useful. I hope you all can answer a couple of quick questions regarding the 1900D who fly it frequently can answer. First, I read the thread about V1 engine failures and how some of the regional planes could be a “handful” with an engine failure at this critical point. I was wondering how the 1900D handles this situation? Being based on a King Air I assume it has auto feathering like the King Airs but if the auto feathering fails or it doesn’t have it, how does the plane fair? I prefer to think in terms of worst case scenario and go from there.
My best guess is having more power than a King Air is a good thing in this situation. Please look at these questions from the perspective of a Part 91 flown aircraft, not in regional airline service. Further assume single pilot operations, which is accepted in Part 91 operations. Assume MTOW, but in reality the plane would not be operated anywhere near gross weight.
I ask as I have an acquaintance that is considering using one as a personal corporate aircraft. Based on all I have read regarding the plane, it is essentially a super sized King Air and flies similarly with more power and presumably more margin of safety. Also, based on what I have read here, it is a good performer at lighter weights, which is how it would be flown in this case. It seems like it would be pretty good in that role as with full tanks it would have respectable range, decent speed, twin-engine safety as opposed to a TBM or PC-12, and overbuilt as it was originally for regional airline use. I don’t think you can touch it for efficiency in moving 8-10 people over 1500 nm or less without spending way more money. Yes, it could have a better pressurization differential and could be quieter but would be comparable to a King Air regarding noise I assume (I have never been in a King Air only the 1900) it seems like it would be a Super King Air used in this way, plus something a little different. Assuming someone could fly a 200 or 350 King Air competently, I assume a transition to a 1900 would be reasonable. If this is not the case in your opinions, please say so.
Having flown it in regional airlines operations and after being converted to a corporate interior, would you be comfortable flying it single pilot?
Any thoughts or opinions of these questions and more importantly the V1 question along with general flying qualities is very appreciated. Thank you very much for your feedback and insight.
Mike