Like nearly all light twins they have abysmal OEI at max weights.
The fuel system logic is the same as the C310. Make sure you're thoroughly familiar with it. It's fairly complicated at first, especially if 1 or two slipper tanks are fitted in the engine nacelle baggage compartments.
Excess fuel fed to the engine is always returned to the MAIN tank for that engine, no matter which tank the fuel was originally fed from. So, prior to using AUX you need to burn about 30 mins (if small aux's) or 60 mins (if long range aux's) from the MAIN to make room for the returned fuel. If there's insufficient room in the MAIN then the fuel gets dumped overboard once the MAIN is full.
It's important to burn from the AUX's as soon as you can. AUX fuel is not available to crossfeed to the other engine. This means that if a donk stops any fuel in the same side AUX becomes dead weight (although I've often wondered if leaving the mixture in ICO & running the HP pump would transfer it into the same side MAIN?).
Fuel in any fitted slipper tank(s) must first be transferred to the same side MAIN before it can be used. If you're going to need the slipper fuel check to make sure the transfer pump(s) work long before you will need the fuel. With the transfer pump on you'll see the same side MAIN fuel gauge show an increasing quantity. Obviously you'll need to burn something out of the MAIN first...
If only a single slipper tank is fitted then you'll have to use X-FEED for the other engine to access the fuel.
It's a Continental IO520 so hot starts can be problematic until you're familiar with the aircraft. Generally running the boost pump for a minute with the mixture in ICO prior to start will help. You may still need to be ready to tickle the HP boost pump to keep the engine running until it settles down. If you hold the HP pump on then you'll cause a rich cut - hence 'tickle' the pump.
Hope you get one with the crew door. Can't remember if it was an option or standard fit.
Take care with the CG & payload/range trade off.
Last edited by Tinstaafl; 14th Jul 2005 at 17:48.