BE-200
I have been reading the replies and I just wanted to make a few comments. First, as an Army pilot I have only gone to FSI and they have always ben outstanding instructors. They are there to see you get through the course. Either company you go to will do a good job. I noticed a couple of comments on the 3-4 prop issue. Having flown both, I can say that W/ 3 blades and the condition levers up high, you float. W/ 4 blades and the conditions up high you dont float as bad. I ALWAYS fly with the condition levers in high. Just my way. Big tires and little tires, I fly W/ little, flown both, doesnt matter, you will figure it out by the second landing. Props 1700 on landing. In my opinion this can lead to bad things. Our check list says this, we have "before landing" and "landing" W/ landing it is
1. AP/YD Disengage
2. Gear down / Lgts check ( this is the 2nd time for this)
3. Props HIGH
Put your props to high for max reverse and max PWR for goaround, dont short change yourself. The pax wont notice the difference and you will be able to handle it just fine.
We dont fly single pilot, but I have in the 200 before and remember, the check list is your friend. Use it and it is harder to get your self in trouble. We have the check list built in to the WX radar. I know using it that way is not always a good thing to do, but in VFR WX I can read the entire check list W/O taking my hands off the "rams horn" we can toggle through it with a button on the wheel.
As far as fuel loads and PAX, we top off the tanks (544 usable) and then put in 8 PAX 2 pilots and baggage and take off @ 14,000 lbs. We have an AWR for this. It is the SAME BE-200 you will be flying W/ NO mods. IN NO WAY am I telling you to go over 12,500 lbs, I am just saying we do it every day and the plane flys fine, and yes, we do need to meet ACEL/STOP just like alot of people do. BUT we cant land ABOVE 12,500 unless it is an emergency. AGAIN, I AM NOT telling any BE-200 pilot to take-off over the MGTOW for your plane, we are military and we use a couple of different rules than you do.
It boils down to this, it is the BEST twin, pressurized, turbo-prop you will fly. A PT-6 and a BE-200 is one of the best combos you can get.
Have fun with the plane and show her some respect and she will pay you back 100 fold.