best twin for multi IR training

[kentflyer]

Just looking for opinions on which aircraft people think is the best twin to do the multi IR on.

I am inclined to think that there is not a big difference between the BE76, PA34 and PA44

One particular training provider in Bournemouth that I have spoken to in depth has suggested that the the BE76 duchess
is a better aircraft to do the IR on than the seneca 1 or seneca 2.

I would be interested to hear peoples views on this.

Many thanks

[VegazBaby]

Well, for my two pence worth, I've heard the BE76 is a very stable aircraft (handy for precision in the air) with no excess power to cause you any trouble - unlike the Seneca's!! I'd also imagine that they cost less per hour as well?!!

[englishal]

PA44 and BE76 are both very easy to fly......the PA44 is really a twin Archer.

The PA34's are harder to fly, especially the turbo charged ones, but some say that training in one of those is better for you (i.e if you can fly the seneca, you can fly the others no problem).

I like the PA34-200T myself, and there is little cost difference between them and the other two. For private hire I'd always opt for the PA34T over the others....

Cheers

[JB007]

Only have experience on the BE76. But it's great, very easy to fly!

[carbonfibre]

I've experienced all three of the aircraft mentioned, for a training platform the BE76, without a doubt, the seneca is more complex with the turbos, however not enough to cause you any concern, the problem with the PA34 is landing the damn thing!! also I dont think its as responsive as the BE76.

Visit the reputable schools they will let you sit in the back if you ask and look for yourself

Hey JB only the BE76? I think that '340 is much more of a handful

:ok:

[a_320busdriver]

Just speaking out of my personal experience I would recommend training on the BE76. It is an easy a/c to handle and it is responsive and not too violent when it comes to engine faiulres. The PA34 is a pig and quite nose heavy when landing.
The dutchess is also a cheaper option - always a consideration for training :D
I have flown all three types and instructed in all three types so thats my 2 cents worth.

[Mark Davies]

Duchess, you can't beat a Beachcraft. Easier, cheaper and a joy to fly.;)

[orangesky]

guys, i was thinking along the same lines when i was deciding which FTO to go to, i want to fly the easiest plane so i can pass in the min time ..... but that isnt really the right way to deciding which FTO to go to. whats much more important, and ultimately the only things you should be considering are, in the last year what was their pass rate success, how many a/c do they have, have they got their own engineering dept, give them a visit ... are the premises business like and comfortable (i'm not talking about glossy marketing gumpf, what this shows me is that they are investing in the business and arent some fly by night operator), speak to past students and try and get an idea for yourselves how important your business would be to them .... you are the customer ! when parting with £££s i want to make sure i am not just a number (except when it comes to mortgages :uhoh:

in this business you have to try and think ahead ... you can never be behind the a/c ! so i would suggest not even considering which twin a/c may be the easiest to fly, go to the FTO that will give you the best chance passing your flight tests in min time !

just think when it comes to the sim ride in the future, how confident will you feel stepping inside a crusty old BAC1-11 knowing that you did your IR on the "easiest" twin you could find :hmm: at some stage in your career you are really going to be challenged by the a/c you are flying, so it makes sense to start earlier in your career rather than later, no point conning yourself early on that you are the next chuck yeager !

good luck with your choices :ok:

[FlyingForFun]

Surely the answer to the question is to pick the school which you think is most likely to get you through the course with the least trouble, and fly whatever aircraft that school has? Choosing your school based on which aircraft they fly - if that's what you're trying to do - seems a bit arse-about-face to me. :confused:

FFF
--------------

[Edit to note that orangesky has posted the same idea as mine 2 minutes earlier!)

[Piltdown Man]

F4F is right school first, plane second. But when given the choice, go for simplicity. No turbos (unless of course you can get a turbine, which is really simple), fixed gear, simple radios and ADF/VOR needles on the HSI.

[Olof]

THe BE76 is, as stated earlier, very stable and forgiving. However, the ergonomics are worthless :) I'm quite tall (1.85m) and making full deflections on the flight controls is tricky. But it's quite cheap to fly and overall good for training!

[kentflyer]

I agree that it would not be sensible to choose an FTO
solely based on the aircraft they use for the IR.

In terms of cost here in the uk there seems to be no
real difference between training on the BE76 and the PA34

[FougaMagister]

Choose the FTO first, then worry about the plane... I have never flown the Seneca but have been told repeatedly that it can be tricky at times. The Duchess and the Seminole :ok: are much better training machines with vice-free handling and a number of easy features (like contra-rotating props, landing at MTOM, VLO and VLE=cruise speed on the Piper, plus a layout that looks very much like the Arrow). Altogether, I guess you can't go wrong with either the BE76 or the PA44-180.

Soon the glass-cockpit Diamond TwinStar may be considered, but I hear its delivery is still some months in the future :(

Cheers

[Maude Charlee]

Perhaps not quite so relevant at this time of the year, but make sure you go for an a/c with icing protection systems otherwise you can spend a great deal of time sitting on the ground waiting for non-icing conditions. For this reason I would suggest avoiding the GA7 as I waited over a month earlier this year to get up for a simple IR renewal because of potential icing and no icing protection on the a/c.