Best Twin for ME instruction?

[weekendwarrior]

Anyone care to chime on on the best twin for MEL instruction? My criteria is price, operating cost, mx, insurance, etc. Mostly a financial discussion, with a mix of good training value as well.

My thoughts are:
Seminole
Aztec
Twin Comanche

 

[7574EVER]

I don't have any experience with the Aztec; but, given it's age I would assume it's a maint. hog. The Twin Comanche is a GREAT airplane; but, insurance is through the roof.

That said, out of the three aircraft you listed I'd probably say the Seminole.

 

[brokeflyer]

Aztec is a good plane, it performs really good.

Did my initial in a 310R....good complex plane that was rather hard to handle.

 

[eagle06]

of those - probably the PA44. You may also want to consider the BE76.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Seminole

 

[JAFI]

Order of preference IMHO:

BE76 - Great trainer, good performance, good systems and cockpit layout. (not on your list but look for this one)

Seminole - OK if it is not too hot for performance, cockpit tight, harder to see all of the panel than the BE76. I flew one that one prop sometimes would come out of feather, then sometimes it would not.

Aztec - great aircraft performance (for a light twin) If you can find one that has been maintained well enough for training and the owner will allow training in one.

Twin Comanche - not a good trainer IMHO. Requires more speed to operate safer. Smaller wing than I like for a trainer. As I recall many had problems with the gear. Or at least those who landed gear up said it was mechanical problems....

 

[weekendwarrior]

Thanks guys...I didn't want to go the Beech route, as I worked as a mechanic and HATED working on them. But, guess it depends on the airplane. I did my training in seminole, which I didn't care for, but bang for the buck you couldn't beat it. A 310 is a great airplane...have some time in them. But a conventional twin I'm not sure if insurance would be higher than a counter rotating twin.

 

[Hung Start]

Aztec is a good plane, it performs really good.

Did my initial in a 310R....good complex plane that was rather hard to handle.

I know it's not on the list, but a 310 will make a man out of ya. And, a better multi pilot.

Broke, you went up a notch in my book.:beer:

Hung

 

[sqwkvfr]

I'm probably gonna get a lot of crap for this and I know it's not on the list, but I would suggest exploring the use of a Seneca II.

I've been instructing in them for over a thousand hours now, and I find them a very stable, forgiving platform that is still plenty capable.

Don't get me wrong, the MAP adjustment will make your hair gray in short order and MX can be a problem, but the low acquisition costs of a II might help make up for some of that.

I think that it flies a lot like a Seminole (note that I said "flies," not to including takeoff and landing) with more interior room and overall capability.

Some people don't like the Seneca for a primary trainer mainly because of the simple turbocharging system and the forward CG that'll require you and/or your student to jockey ballast around, but I've come around to liking them.

Like I said, I realize that it's not on your list, I just wanted to make sure that you weren't discounting what can be a pretty good trainer.

 

[Mach]

I know it's not on the list, but a 310 will make a man out of ya. And, a better multi pilot.

Broke, you went up a notch in my book.:beer:

Hung

Agree, did my multi in a 310. And signed off many students in a 310.

 

[Mach]

Very capable airplane with great single engine performance.

 

[AC560]

Very capable airplane with great single engine performance.

Not an airplane I would pick for ME instruction though.

 

[Mach]

Why?

If $hit were to hit the fan. I want to be able to climb on one engine, not make a smoking hole in the ground.

 

[AC560]

If $hit were to hit the fan. I want to be able to climb on one engine, not make a smoking hole in the ground.

It is a relatively complex and difficult to fly airplane with high maintenance costs. I have a lot of 320 hours. Great airplane, nothing against it. It wouldn't be my first choice for multi instruction which is what the question was.

 

[AiRegency]

Beechcraft Duke. That'll make a man out of ya.

 

[Andy Neill]

Where does the Seneca fit in this mix?

 

[Princedietrich]

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).

 

[VW Pilot]

BE-76 or Travelair....I rode right seat in a BE-76...The set up is very nice.

 

[ackattacker]

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.

 

[JAFI]

Beechcraft Duke. That'll make a man out of ya.

Well, if you are going to go there - Beech 18 round engine - conventional gear......