iUpgraded

[Ted]

As you all know I've been flying my Aztec a lot, and it's just been too difficult to be doing trips like LA to NY in one day in a naturally aspirated piston twin, plus we were running out of room for dogs. I've got transports coming up next month where I've got enough dogs heading from one place to another to fill a Navajo.

I'd been looking at upgrades for a while, having noted already that pressurization and turbos were going to be required. Problem is, there just aren't any pressurized piston twins other than the P-Baron that have a good setup for crates (crew door is a must), and the P-Baron is smaller than the Aztec. Wrong direction, we need bigger. Besides, the last guy I know who said he bought a P-Baron doesn't seem to have flown the thing at all since purchase, so he must be having problems with it. Lastly, I needed something that wasn't going to let the weather stop it.

So after looking at a few different things, I finally settled on a Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise. The only problem was how to pay for it. Fortunately, I found a seller who was an animal lover and donated a large portion of the plane's cost.

The plane couldn't be better suited. This one has cargo and crew doors, which is perfect for my use. It'll hold more than the Aztec for sure, and the thing hauls going about 275 kts or so, so the cost per animal transported will actually be surprisingly competitive, despite the substantially higher operating costs. We'll be able to rip the seats out and stuff a bunch of cages in. I'll have to ride with an instructor for a bit and go to SimCom for the SFAR training, but it should be a good upgrade. The insurance is surprisingly reasoanble on it. The best part is that it's as capable as a Lear (actually moreso), so I won't have to worry about weather getting in the way anymore on trips.

I'll be picking it up this weekend - can't wait!

 

[steingar]

This isn't anther April Fools joke, is it?

 

[SCCutler]

(Looks at calendar, shakes head)

 

[EdFred]

*cough* horse pucky *cough*

 

[steingar]

Problem is, we're dealing with Ted. If he showed up with a DC3 I'd be less than surprised.

 

[wbarnhill]

I call shenanigans. You would've updated your signature already.

 

[Ted]

Problem is, we're dealing with Ted. If he showed up with a DC3 I'd be less than surprised.

I thought about DC-3s, but the slow speeds and lack of pressurization just wasn't going to cut it. But oh how it would have won out in the cool factor...

 

[ScottM]

I just don't see Ted flying a 'jap' plane, now a Ford Trimotor, sure

 

[steingar]

I thought about DC-3s, but the slow speeds and lack of pressurization just wasn't going to cut it.

Wuss.

 

[rpadula]

Yes, Ted, but would your mom approve?

 

[Ted]

I call shenanigans. You would've updated your signature already.

nicely played. It was plausible.

If you're going to do an April Fool's joke, it needs to be completely out there.

Hmm...

 

[Ted]

Yes, Ted, but would your mom approve?

I told her she could get in it easier than she can get into the Aztec, and she's short enough where she won't bang her head on the high-wing.

 

[steingar]

Won't be able to land at 6Y9 in that thing.

 

[Ted]

Won't be able to land at 6Y9 in that thing.

Actually, the gross weight takeoff distance over 50 ft obstacle is 2170 ft, landing is 2200 ft, so it shouldn't have any problems with 6Y9.

The MU2s have a low stall speed (with the flaps down when the plane is dirty), so it's got surprisingly good short field performance.

 

[EdFred]

add 15% for grass.

 

[Ted]

Still puts me well under the limit.

 

[gismo]

Still puts me well under the limit.

Given the way MU-2s behave at low speeds, I'm not sure I'd want to push the short field limits. And as long as you're gonna go for something fast, why not this:

Plenty of room for dog crates and good range too.

 

[bbchien]

Uh huh.

Just in case this is for real....
Make sure you satisfy the SFAR for OEI training. The bad engine thottle stays UP AGAINST THE STOP or you defeat autofeather. NO roll compensation. ALL rudder. WATCH the skinny margin between Vne and Vs1 for partial flaps. It goes on and on.

How much do engineers at Lycoming make, anyway

 

[rpadula]

How much do engineers at Lycoming make, anyway

Must be a bunch. Lycoming sells engines new for $40k a pop. But the designs haven't changed in 50 years, so how much engineering can really be going on?

 

[Ted]

Given the way MU-2s behave at low speeds, I'm not sure I'd want to push the short field limits. And as long as you're gonna go for something fast, why not this:

Plenty of room for dog crates and good range too.

Egh, I like propellers. But no, I wouldn't want to push the thing at low speeds. Even with the Aztec I generally start nose up pressure at red line and actually leave the ground at blue line, and usually come in around blue line +10.

Uh huh.

Just in case this is for real....
Make sure you satisfy the SFAR for OEI training. The bad engine thottle stays UP AGAINST THE STOP or you defeat autofeather. NO roll compensation. ALL rudder. WATCH the skinny margin between Vne and Vs1 for partial flaps. It goes on and on.

How much do engineers at Lycoming make, anyway

I think it was pretty well established that it was a joke. The biggest thing was saying insurance was reasonable. I was asking for a few things out of curiosity, and I'm uninsurable on any turbine for a while yet. And the answer is not nearly enough to afford any of that, but remember that about 85-90% of the flying I do is for my non-profit, I do very little personal flying.