Light Twins

[Rick1128]

First of all not all Barons are 58s. The 55s will require you to climb over seats. The 58s and the 310Rs I checked out were all over his price range. If you compare 310Q's and Baron 55s, the Aztec performs as well or better. Yeah, it doesn't look as sexy as the others, but the Aztec has good insurance rates, stout engines and a comfortable cabin.

As for a 402, again you are looking at a high maintenance bill with that wing demate AD. Personally I would take a Navajo over the 402. But for what Shawn is looking for, I personally believe that the Aztec is the answer.

And I have flown not only the Baron 55/56/58, PA23-150/-160/-250, C310P/Q/R, but also the CE336/337/340/401/402A,B,C/414/421A,B,C, PA31-300, -310, -325, -350/PA-34-200, -210. So I am talking with a little bit of knowledge. Climbing over the wing is nothing campared with having your bags ransacked and being strip searched at the airport. Now Shawn if you are carrying women, the over the wing thing can be a problem.

The most important thing you need to look at is which aircraft will do the job you need it to do and you are most comfortable in and with.

The major reason that Barons are the most common charter aircraft is that the newest Aztec or 310 was made in the early 1980s. The Newest Baron I saw in the current Trade-A-Plane was made in 1996. A lot newer aircraft. Back when the Aztec and 310 were in production, the Aztec was the most common charter aircraft with the 310 a close second. The Barons were a distant third.

Good luck.

 

[crash-proof]

Have you considered a.....Skymaster?

Just a joke, people.

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

Ive logged about 600hours in the last 12 months in a Baron, and even though its a bit small at times when you have more then 4 people, you cant beat the 15-17gph at cruise per side and the 195kt TAS.

Im based in the midwest and have flown it as far as Baltimore, Charlotte, Naples Fl, Boise, Portland, Las Cruces etc..... Some destinations can take 4-5 hours to reach but never seems to be too big of a deal.

I also do trips ranging between 50-200nm on a regular basis going in and out of 2500ft strips with out breaking a sweat. Great airplane.

We fly a 1994 with the IO550 (300HP). If your company is gonna throw down 150k to buy one your gonna end up with an older 58 that might not get the 195kts cause I think most of the older ones had the IO520. But that is imaterial.

Anyways, good luck with the purchase. Any questions PM me.

 

[jetdriven]

A Baron is a fine aircraft but a 402C or a PA-31-350 might be a better bet. It all depends on your mission. If you never carry more than 4 or 5 passengers and never fly above 6,000 then stop reading right here.



PA-31-350 or C-402C. These aircraft have airstair doors, turbochargers, and are true cabin-class airplanes. I have a lot of hours in both and if you fly out west a NA BE-58 wont make the cut. Single engine service ceiling on a BE-58 is about 5-7000' for example. Dont count on climbing at 1000 FPM very long especially above 5 thousand. A NA light twin runs out of juice very quick. The 402C SE service ceiling is 11,000 and the navajo is about the same. Cruise speeds are all similar among all three types about 180-190 KTAS. The BE-58 and C-402C burn about 33 GPH while the Navajo is closer to 40. I think a C-402 has a much better range as it holds 197 usable while the Navajo is 187.

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

keep in mind flying a pa31 or a 400 series cessna you gonna be in the 200-300$ an hour range.

go with a baron and youll be down to anywhere between 150-200 due to operating costs are cheap. but you sacrifice room for performance and cost.

mark

 

[cvsfly]

I heard a quote once..... "Its not the money. It's the MONEY!"

 

[cessna_driver2]

Re: Light Twin

Definately the Piper Aztec....

You can't beat 144 gallons of fuel at 160 knots and a 2200 lbs useful load!

I'd recommend either E or F model...

PM me for more details!

Not to knock the Aztec, great plane, but have you tried locating parts for these older aircraft. Piper DOES NOT support any of the old twins. The parts you do find will cost twice as much. Find a good company that has an internet based parts locators for finding used parts. It never hurts to get in good with some of the major salvage dealers out there.

My .02 Aztec for charter is a bad idea. If you have time to locate the parts have at it. Baron's from what I've seen tend not to be such hangar queens. Pricey but at least Raytheon is still producing parts.

Good luck

 

[ShawnC]

Wow my question sure sparked alot of debate.

Right now the Baron seems to be the best bet for me. I have found some nice ones in Aerotraders that are around my price. About to subscribe to Trade a Plane to find more.

Though personally I would just prefer building a Harmon Rocket III, maybe the first Turbine HR III?