retailguy
Line Up and Wait
My partner and I are exploring the idea of getting one in the fall. I don't know very much about them and am looking for some information and some advice.
Affording a twin is no issue for him, and stretching it a bit for me. It meets my mission now, and will meet it into the future as far as I can see.
I have two teenage girls. The four of us need 700lbs, plus about 50-100 lbs for baggage. My wife has one request when we fly, and that's to not stay in the air longer than 3 hours. So, I don't need much more than 70 gals of fuel at the stated fuel burns.
From the limited information I've been able to gather, it looks like I can throttle back to about 45% power and burn about 13 gals per hour (that's book numbers, and I realize it could be different). At that fuel burn it's right around Cessna 182 speeds, which is fine with me today. I question whether or not I'll fly there :wink2:, but nice to know I can.
I'm in Texas, have family in Missouri (500 nautical miles), family in Wisconsin (only once a year at most), and have a lot of ideas for trips within the 3 hour radius. I don't plan much mountain flying, nor am I considering icing equipment.
I have no multi engine time, I am very close to being instrument rated, I have a high performance endorsement, but no complex endorsement.
I can handle the insurance costs, and have some savings beyond the purchase prices I'm seeing for some unplanned 1st year maintenance.
Pros? Cons?
Any parts that are hard to find? Airframes are getting pretty old.
Is the Twinkie a better choice? I know there are a lot more of them.
I read all sorts of horror stories about maintenance costs as compared to a single. I don't know what to believe. Your experiences would be appreciated. Thanks.
Affording a twin is no issue for him, and stretching it a bit for me. It meets my mission now, and will meet it into the future as far as I can see.
I have two teenage girls. The four of us need 700lbs, plus about 50-100 lbs for baggage. My wife has one request when we fly, and that's to not stay in the air longer than 3 hours. So, I don't need much more than 70 gals of fuel at the stated fuel burns.
From the limited information I've been able to gather, it looks like I can throttle back to about 45% power and burn about 13 gals per hour (that's book numbers, and I realize it could be different). At that fuel burn it's right around Cessna 182 speeds, which is fine with me today. I question whether or not I'll fly there :wink2:, but nice to know I can.
I'm in Texas, have family in Missouri (500 nautical miles), family in Wisconsin (only once a year at most), and have a lot of ideas for trips within the 3 hour radius. I don't plan much mountain flying, nor am I considering icing equipment.
I have no multi engine time, I am very close to being instrument rated, I have a high performance endorsement, but no complex endorsement.
I can handle the insurance costs, and have some savings beyond the purchase prices I'm seeing for some unplanned 1st year maintenance.
Pros? Cons?
Any parts that are hard to find? Airframes are getting pretty old.
Is the Twinkie a better choice? I know there are a lot more of them.
I read all sorts of horror stories about maintenance costs as compared to a single. I don't know what to believe. Your experiences would be appreciated. Thanks.