Thanks again. What you said makes perfect sense. Other than the hot plate, inner boots and vertical boots, I have all the rest of that equipment installed. If I was using it as a work horse I would want FIKI. It is just a travel/family fun machine so I won't be too aggressive with clouds in the winter.
Other things I learned along the way-
1. You can fit six sets of clubs in the nose if needed as long as they're not "pro" bags. Ensure all the golf balls are properly secured.
2. On the ground rule #1 is: only brake straight ahead. Never in a turn.
3. Personally ensure that your A&P is rigging the gear per the manual. Ask to see the proper tools and ensure the log entry says that the rig was "done IOC with..."
4. Do an inflight shutdown of each engine and ensure that your props feather fully. I see the placard that indicates yours has unfeathering accumulators.
5. When flying in the cold, periodically check that your fuel selectors are free and turning. This caused my one and only 'real deal' engine out experience.
6. I'm assuming you have the fuel system figured out? I will admit to pumping fuel overboard once.
7. Take Ted's class on baffles and temp management. It's worth the effort.
8. Take the time to really learn the electrical system and the different busses. I found it confusing until I understood it a little better. Not something you want to be figuring out in the dark.
9. Mine was perfectly happy going high and didn't lose much TAS. It might be worth the time to get oxy and go up there once to see how you and it perform. I routinely went to 15k and above to take advantage of winds and/or weather. Also helps put the kids to sleep.
Down low you will be flirting with or in the yellow arc at normal cruise settings.
10. The heater can be a bit of a PITA. Don't wait for it to break on you.
11. I was a bit of a stickler for mags, plugs, and injectors. Once I had it dialed in the dispatch was very good and she ran deep LOP no problems. It is some effort, but worth it in my opinion.
12. I would do every other or every third annual at TAS with Tony Saxton. It won't be cheap, but you'll have peace of mind and it will add to the value at resale.
This advice is worth what you paid for it and YMMV, but I'm sure you will have fun. It is definitely more work than a fixed gear single, but it can be very rewarding. I flew mine for about 400 hours and it got me into the Conquest, and now Ted has me looking at Citations. Keepin' it in the family.
, you know I didn't mean it literally...
