@Ted DuPuis doesn’t brag here, but he has a solid reputation as a good MEI. Ask around. There’s a few folks here who’ve trained with him.
I appreciate the recommendation, Nate.
He's busy building sports cars and runways.
But I am game if he is and the Cobra will be done by the time I would be ready anyway.
The biggest problem at the moment is the fact that I don't have access to an aircraft to train in. The MU-2 isn't just a bad idea for a first twin, it's actually not legal to use as one per the SFAR/14 CFR Part 91 Subpart N. If I had the Aztec or 310 around still it'd be a different story.
However I've also told my wife that I'm not going to take on side flying gigs for the foreseeable future, that whole work-life balance thing. And I'm trying to finish the Cobra, get my bulldozer restored(ish), build a runway, at some point we have to build a hangar too (although I'm mostly farming that one out), house projects, thinking about a boat... as you said I'm kinda busy.
What I always tell folks is go ahead and ask and I always appreciate it, but for now I'm pretty much sticking to coaching and helping people buy airplanes remotely.
Unless you're going to buy a twin or fly one frequently, your "in depth" training is going to be wasted since you aren't going to be putting it to use regularly. It also sort of sounds like you are saying all MEI's are crap unless they are well known - which generally requires a bit of self promotion. Might be some amazing MEI's that aren't very well known, maybe even better than the well known instructors. I know a couple on the board that aren't self promoters, but would put you through the ringer.
Most pilot school MEIs ARE crap. They don't have enough hours in twins to impart any useful knowledge. That works for getting the rating but not for quality instruction.
That said, I agree with the general principle that if you want the rating but won't be flying much, just get the rating. Then get good training in the actual plane you're going to fly, whatever that may be. Problem is depending on what Neal does afterwards (if he goes pro specifically) he may not get that good fundamental training.