Anyone know how to fly a C-402b?

[flyswits.com]

I have an interview in a Cessna 402b and I have never flown this aircraft before. I have time in a baron 58 and was wondering if anyone had any tips on flying a turbocharged C-402b!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Photoflight]

Its a real stable airplane with no real quarks to it. The fuel system can be fairly complicated depending on how the aircraft is fitted. As for the turbochargers you just want to make sure you don't shock cool them as thatll crack em. Usually 1 degree decrease in MP per minute is what I use, though I think the book says no more than 30 degrees decrease in temp per minute. Its pretty easy to figure if your doin 500FPM decent for landing anyhow.

Not sure what the BE-58 has but the 402 has spit flaps when can really balloon you if you aren't watching what your doin. The only other thing that might be different is the landing lights retract into the wings so forgetting to pull those up or putting them down when your goin to fast can screw up the gears.

 

[2LT]

BAC, Inc.

If you're interviewing with BAC, Inc. out of FSD don't worry about it. If things haven't changed, they'll have you fly an ILS down to mins and call it a day. Just remember to use the checklist...that's about the only "bust" I've ever heard of regarding the interview ride. They're just looking to see that you can follow the ILS down...since, quite honestly, you'll be hand flying to mins most of the time during the winter up there. Take care...

 

[Lostdog65]

Photo's got good points. The only thing I can add is this. (2000 hrs of 402C time here!)

Take-off...come up smooth until turbo's kick in. Pause. Then up to red line. Rotate about 90kts. Climb out at 120kts.
Climb out...power back to "top of the greens" on MP then RPM. Mixtures stay rich.
Level out...get on the "plane" then MP to 28", RPM to 2300, mixtures 100 degrees rich of peak.

Manuevers at 25" and 2300 RPM. Gives about 140-150kts.

Stage cool as Photo said, about 2" MP per 1000' of descent. (2min at 500fpm)

Approach...approx 20"-23"MP and 2300 RPM should give you around 130kts. Approach Flaps will take away 10 kts and get you around 120kts for appch. Gear is worth about 300 fpm descent or 30kts of airspeed so intercepting the ILS, throw gear down, pull back two or three inches of MP and you should be about 600 fpm, standard for most ILS'.

Trim wheel is by your right knee. I always rested my hand on my leg and trimmed by hand, even when I had electric trim. She trims up pretty good.

Landing...runway made, full flaps (don't go to intermediaries unless you're just doing pattern work. The damn things are all drag!) 100kts over the fence, touch down through 90kts unless it has VG's then you can slow her waaay down to nearly 75kts!

We've been instructing this way for years. Cools the engines, makes the math easier (120kts is 2 miles a minute), saves wear and tear on the plane and makes it easy to fly.

Good luck and if you have any more questions about the 402 feel free to pm me!

Eric

 

[pin727]

Never Use The Fuel Pumps On High!!!! Specially On Landings
Take Off With The Main Tanks And After An Hour Cahnge To The Aux, They Drain To The Mains, When You Apply T/o Power You Will Feel The Turbos Kick In, It Is A Great Plane To Fly In The Landing Gear ( Mains) There Are Three Screws, On The Top Of The Mounting, Be Sure To Lokk At Those Are Pre Flight, They Can Wreck You Day Land With Trim Nose High It Always Helps It Is Kind Of Nose Heavy....dog's Power Settings Look Right On The Money!!!

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

A good policy is to look at the AD's for the specific airframe and powerplants.

I flew a C421 but there are alot of similarities. One thing I must warn about:
Exhaust failures in twin cessnas are very VERY bad. Due to the proximity
of the exhaust stacks to the main spar, a few exhaust failures have led to
the loss of wing. ...and that's bad. Flying a turbocharged version actually
gives you a warning. If the Manifold Pressure suddenly drops to ambient
(remember to calculate for altitude 3lb/1000') then the exhaust has likely
failed. This is when you SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY! If you
remember anything, remember that warning. Idle power to the nearest
airport is NOT good enough. That is exactly what I did and melted part of
of the engine mount structure (which is part of the wing).

Generally, it's a real solid plane.

Best of luck.


CE

 

[Big Dog]

C402 is a pretty cool airplane. Bigger and more ponderous than the BE58, Biggest difference in flows are fuel pumps on low for take-offs and landings, like in a PA28/32. Other numbers look fine. I wouldn't use more than Flaps 15 until you are committed for landing, they add a ton of drag. ILS Final - 22", 2300RPM, Flaps 15, gear down at the marker and ride it to the ground, 110-120 knots at DH, you shouldn't have to touch a thing. Good ride all around. Single engine is no fun heavy, make sure to use full power on the good engine and clean up quick if you like altitude. And power up nice and easy on take-off. Our goal is a smooth throttle advance so that at red radial on airspeed you are at redline on MP. Any faster and it's easy to overboost, especially if oil temps are not well into the green.

 

[Lostdog65]

flyswits...

let us know how it went...wouldn't want all this good advice to go to waste now would we!

Eric

 

[barnyard]

Interview Tip:

The B stands for Beater