Only got 3 hours on a C model, but a couple of hundred on 401/402a/b models.
In general, nice docile aeroplane. Drops like a brick when heavy. Does not like flying on one engine, not matter what the book says...although I operated it in desert operations and heat does not help matters...
If there is no oil smeared across the gear doors about 2/3 of the way up the door, do not fly it again..the engine is out of oil
Check the exhaust system visually every 10 hours yourself as a minimum. The AD says 50, but mine manisfested a hole
under the metal heat shroud in front of the firewall. Melted all the wiring (including the fire warning system
) behind the engine. Had damaged the engine mount and the spar was next...... This damage took less than 10 hours to occur.
The only cockpit indication was a slight reduction on MP on the takeoff roll, which was explained by a slightly sticking wastegate - a very common occurrence.
Ask where to squirt mousemilk to lubricate said wastegates regularly especially if you are in hot and humid climates.
The last 5 indicated gallons of the aux fuel tanks goes in no time at all - be prepared, and the left aux seems to empty first. Run one dry deliberately early on to know what it sounds and feels like. You will forget at least once, and if you know what it sounds like it will make life much easier!
If you value your fingers in the correct order, do NOT grab the emergency gear extension handle if you let go of it when unwinding.
The fuel ticker pump motor is wired to the landing light CB. If the landing light CB pops you have no ticker pumps. This is not in the flight manual nor the POH.
Be very careful if you have no weight in the nose of standing the aircraft on its tail when loading. In general at max tow, and 8 adults of similar size, the COG is in the top right (way aft) spot on the loading chart. Load front to back! Do not let more that one person stand on the step at once. common sense, but I have seen it done!
For light to medium weights, 20" and first stage of flap flies the ILS profile PERFECTLY.
All in all a nice aicraft if its it not heavy.
[ 20 July 2001: Message edited by: compressor stall ]