Commercial Training in a Baron?

[carlos]

Hi all, I need some advice. I have the opportunity to do a large portion of my post-PPL training in a Baron 58 at a pretty reasonable price. I figure that I'll first get my instrument rating in a 172, but then get my multi-VFR and IFR in the Baron so that I can build a lot of multi-time as I fly the 250 hours for my commercial license. I expect that I will be able to build 100+ hours of PIC multi-time this way during my training.

My questions are:
1) Is the Baron too much of an airplane for my ME rating and commercial license, with only about 100 total hours of SE time? Will it end up taking longer than learning with another "more friendly" twin?

2) Will charter/cargo/regionals/etc. look more favorably on time in a Baron than in, say, a Seminole or Duchess?

3) Will these companies look down on this time that was puchased as training as opposed to earned as a paid pilot?

4) Does this approach make sense? That is, building multi-time during training? Or should I save my money, get just 15 or so hours of ME time to get my rating, and do all my commercial in a SE aircraft?

Any other observations? Any responses would be greatly appreciated!

 

[RFtech]

Sounds like a good plan.

How much are you lookig at per hour in the Barron?

What about insurance requirements after you get your ME/IFR?

Will they let you fly for time building or will you have to do the safety pilot deal?

 

[bobbysamd]

Baron training

The Baron is a great multi-engine trainer, but is a lot of airplane at first. I got my multi and MEI in a B55 Baron at about 850 hours. I loved it so much that I flew it extra for proficiency. We used Baron 58s at MAPD for multi-engine work and the ATP program. It worked fine, but the students take their primary and instrument training in A36 Bonanzas so there isn't that much of a transition.

There's no harm or foul at all at building a reasonable amount of multi time during training. I like that kind of program. It's a good idea and a great way to get a head start on building multi time. In fact, some of the major schools, including Riddle and FSI, have students fly multis during their instrument and Commercial training. They earn their Private Multis to maximize their multi PIC time. They earn their initial Commercial-Instrument in multis. Some people don't like the idea of two multi checkrides, but the Commercial multi ride really isn't particulary different from the Private ride.

A lot depends on your finances. Without question, multi time will cost more than single time. Once more, the Baron is a lot of airplane for a low-timer and it could take a little time to master the airplane. Multi training is primarily procedures, so if you come to each lesson as well prepared as possible, i.e. memorizing all procedures and doing plenty of dry time, you should do fine and minimize the cost.

I'd say that if you are sure you can afford it that you should do it. Good luck with your decision.

 

[carlos]

RFtech,

I'll have to see exactly about the insurance requirements. I know they require two pilots in the plane.

Deftone45075 and bobbysamd,

I've heard from others, too, that the Baron can be a handful as a first twin. One of the students there said that the Baron is a blast, so it sounds like it would be real enjoyable--as long as it doesn't make me too anxious! The MEI instructors are supposed to be top-notch, from what I've heard, so that should help me out.

The FBO doesn't have a simpler twin to start in. They use these planes for Charter purposes, too, so that's another reason I'm interested in training with them.

I like the idea of spending 10 hours in a complex single before jumping into the twin. That would give me two smaller steps rather than one big leap into the Baron. I'll talk with them about this.

Thanks for the information!