Andy Neill
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Posts
- 2,293
Welcome to Flightinfo.com
- Register now and join the discussion
- Friendliest aviation Ccmmunity on the web
- Modern site for PC's, Phones, Tablets - no 3rd party apps required
- Ask questions, help others, promote aviation
- Share the passion for aviation
- Invite everyone to Flightinfo.com and let's have fun
Best Twin for ME instruction?
- Thread starter weekendwarrior
- Start date
- Watchers 20
Welcome to Flightinfo.com
- Register now and join the discussion
- Modern secure site, no 3rd party apps required
- Invite your friends
- Share the passion of aviation
- Friendliest aviation community on the web
Princedietrich
Retired Starchecker
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
- Posts
- 1,437
Having flown the PA44 and the BE76, I'd have to give my preference to the Dutchess. Granted you'll be able to find very new and relatively well-equipped and maintained Seminoles out there since they are still in production.
Never flown a Seneca, but will be taking one up in the next couple o weeks.
Never flown a 310, but have heard good things about them.
Never flown a Twin Commanche so I know nothing about them.
Never flown a Duke, but always wanted to.
If it were up to me, I'd go for a Baron. Did my comm-multi and MEI in a BE55 and signed off a few students in one. Did my ATP and few many hundreds of hours in a BE58. They're expensive, no denying it, but Barons are excellent airplanes. They definitely keep you on your toes, both as a trainee and as an instructor, because they can be very unforgiving (especially in terms of VMC).
Never flown a Seneca, but will be taking one up in the next couple o weeks.
Never flown a 310, but have heard good things about them.
Never flown a Twin Commanche so I know nothing about them.
Never flown a Duke, but always wanted to.
If it were up to me, I'd go for a Baron. Did my comm-multi and MEI in a BE55 and signed off a few students in one. Did my ATP and few many hundreds of hours in a BE58. They're expensive, no denying it, but Barons are excellent airplanes. They definitely keep you on your toes, both as a trainee and as an instructor, because they can be very unforgiving (especially in terms of VMC).
ackattacker
Client 9
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2004
- Posts
- 2,125
I did a lot of instruction in a Twin Comanche and thought it was excellent for training. Of course not as docile as a Seminole. It has an honest-to-god Vmca and if you go below it single engine you'll know it quick. In my opinion this is a plus - makes for a better and safer twin pilot than one who learned on a training-wheels plane and then has to go on and fly a "real" twin.
All the other planes being discussed besides the Twin Comanche and Seminole will cost more to operate. The PA30 is only 160HP per side and is relatively simple systems-wise. Good speed for cross-country also. The gear is not as finicky as people say, but it is stiff and not easy to grease on. Most of the people who land a Twin Comanche gear up had no idea how to properly perform an emergency gear extension.
All the other planes being discussed besides the Twin Comanche and Seminole will cost more to operate. The PA30 is only 160HP per side and is relatively simple systems-wise. Good speed for cross-country also. The gear is not as finicky as people say, but it is stiff and not easy to grease on. Most of the people who land a Twin Comanche gear up had no idea how to properly perform an emergency gear extension.
Last edited:
Well, if you are going to go there - Beech 18 round engine - conventional gear......
Hung Start
Just the cleanup guy
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2004
- Posts
- 701
Princedietrich
Retired Starchecker
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
- Posts
- 1,437
Aerostar for the win.
Hung Start
Just the cleanup guy
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2004
- Posts
- 701
AC, I thought about the aerostar (in iceing) but the BE18 with the tail wheel and the (for lack of a better word - tired) round engines, non standard instrument layout, stick shaker - would be a worse primary trainer.
But, "A" for effort....
LivestockTony
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 1, 2006
- Posts
- 64
Tailwheelman
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2004
- Posts
- 41
Beech 18 all the way. Seriously though, having flown the aztruck, the twin comanche, the seminole, the apache (150hp and the Geronimo) my vote goes to the Travel Air. I think it flies the nicest of the lot and in my 4 years of owning one it has been a relatively maintenance free bird. Aside from the training aspect it also makes a nice X-C airplane. I regularly get 165kts at about 18gph. Not bad for a light twin. Just my 2 cents
To me, both are wonderful. A friend of mine took a soon to be ME pilot on a frieght run in a BE18 one night. The kid was following him on the controls during the landing and taxi in. The kid decided he wanted to stop the aircraft (without telling my friend) and parked the aircraft nose down in the dirt, tail high in the air.
Tailwheel, IMHO all cabin class Beech's are great aircraft. When was the last time you say a travelair out for student rental?
Tailwheelman
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2004
- Posts
- 41
Sheble (I think thats how its spelled) Aviation in IGM has four of them for ME trainers. There is a school in Dallas, I believe out of RBD, that specializes in ME training over a three day course that has 3 or 4 of them. There is also two schools in Houston that each use one. Thats the few I know.
Wow, that's great. I have not seen one in 20 years.
Share this page
Latest resources
-
-
-
-
-
AC 90-89C - Amateur-Built Aircraft and Ultralight Flight Testing HandbookAmateur-Built Aircraft and Ultralight Flight Testing Handbook
- Neal
- Updated:
