Duchess v. Seneca v. Seminole for Multi

[daddysquared]

It's time to get the multi add on. I am looking at two options. Train with an MEI at the flying club I belong to, or do the 4 day deal at All ATP.

At the flying club, I can either train with a Duchess or a Seneca. I've been told that the Seneca is hard to fly. Any truth to that? There is only a $10/hour difference in rental price ($169 Seneca, $159 Duchess).

All ATP flies Seminoles, has a 'flat rate' of $1,995 and 4 days straight (plus examiner fee). Only problem is it is 4 days straight and I have one of those 'job' things and I would rather not have to take vacation time to do this.

Any insight to these options would be greatly appreciated.

 

[El Bucho]

Do the Duchess or Seneca...either way at ATP, you pay a flat price and once you walk away with your new rating and divide how much you paid by how much flight time you actually got, you will probably kick yourself...

 

[cforst513]

where are you located? Epic Aviation in Daytona Beach (and south in New Smyrna Beach, FL) has a Duchess for $147/hr wet. but since you don't want to do the 4 night thingy, i'd just do it at the club. as for the aircraft, i'll get back to you in about 4 months when i'm working on my multi!

 

[CFIjim]

I did the 4 day ATP program and thought it was a good value. $1,995 for 8.5 hrs of dual flight training plus the aircraft for the checkride (another 1.5 hrs) and a couple hours of ground. The math will work out similar to using an fbo/flying club. I can't speak for the other twins, but the Seminole was easy to fly, even on one engine.

 

[Workin'Stiff]

I've got a ton of time in the Duchess and a limited amount in a Seminole. Both airplanes perform almost the same single engine - sucky (typical for light twin engine trainers). Overall, I preferred the Duchess because you don't have to climb over a seat to get into yours, better view out the front and I felt a better flying airplane all around, in my opinion. And if landings aren't your forte, the Duchess will be very kind to you with the trailing link landing gear. The straight legs of the Seminole will let you know when you FUBAR the landing.

 

[minitour]

A duchess is an easy airplane to fly...decent on one engine too. I had 2.9 before my checkride (which was 1.0). The systems are easy, speeds too...

It's basically a 172RG with a second engine...

I'd probably go with the Seneca though...but that's me

-mini

 

[LewisU_Pilot]

A duchess is an easy airplane to fly...decent on one engine too. I had 2.9 before my checkride (which was 1.0). The systems are easy, speeds too...

It's basically a 172RG with a second engine...

I'd probably go with the Seneca though...but that's me

-mini

You only had 2.9 multi before your check ride? Am I understanding that right?

 

[minitour]

You only had 2.9 multi before your check ride? Am I understanding that right?

Yeah...it's an easy plane to fly (duchess) and the add-on was a joke ...Steep turns, slow flight, stalls (to the horn), Vmc, instrument approaches (1 and 2 engines), landings and emergency procedures (feathering freaked me out...seeing a prop actually come to a complete stop is weird for me)...

Pretty simple ride...wish I had some more time, but...can't win 'em all

-mini

 

[LewisU_Pilot]

Man thats awesome. Must of saved you some fat $$$. I had like 10.5 before my check ride. I was ready around 8ish but had to deal with the b.s. of a 141 school.

 

[Ralgha]

Go through the club, you'll probably learn more.