View Full Version : Best small light twin?
Toppers
1st Nov 2001, 19:06
Can anyone suggest the most suitable light twin for operations from grass?
What is the extra running costs going to be in terms of maintenance.
Is the extra performance really going to pay off on >150 mile trips?
Final 3 Greens
2nd Nov 2001, 01:56
Toppers
If you aren't planning long flights over water, have a look at a PA32. As Geoffrey Boot wrote in a Flyer article a couple of years ago, "The Thinking Man's Twin"
The retracts give you twinish performance for about 15-6 gph - its is after all a single engined Seneca.
F3G
A and C
2nd Nov 2001, 13:27
Tell us more about your requirment and we may be able to help.
As for taking the advice of Mr Boot it was he that loaded a PA34 outside the FWD C of G limits for a flight test some years back and then went on say that he ran out of elevator on landing !.
Stan Evil
4th Nov 2001, 19:40
The Seneca's out if you're operating from grass as the prop clearance is almost zip - remember the Newmarket crash last year. The Duchess, Seminole and Cougar are much of a muchness except the Cougar is very cramped if you're 6 ft or more. The Baron is fun but expensive as is the 310.
Have a look at the PA-23 Aztec, an older machine but very reliable, and quite rugged for off-pavement ops. Plenty of room inside, but definately not the fastest steed around. Also very short field requirements, and gentle handling for the lower time MEL pilot.