Mooney Step up 2.0

[Jeev]

4 minutes ago, KLRDMD said:

My current Baron is a traditional B55 with IO-470s at 260 HP per side. Previously I had a Colemill President Baron, also a B55 but with the IO-520s at 300 HP (limited to 5 min, 285 HP continuous) per side. I had VGs on the Colemill and not on the current Baron. The biggest difference adding the extra HP is in climb. Cruise speed isn't much different at all, which, when you do that math, is actually anticipated. My typical climb rate in my current Baron is 1,500-1,800 FPM. In the Colemill Baron is was 2,000-2,500 FPM but when light and cold I occasionally could see 4,000 FPM in the Colemill Baron !!!

Flying 200 lb or more under gross is what gives you all the safety margin, regardless of the light twin.

Flying twins does take more training and a more dedicated pilot than flying singles. And while twins are more expensive to maintain and fly than a big bore single, the difference is much less than most anticipate.

I agree with you 100%!  I fly at least 200lbs but most of the time 300-350 under gross and wanted the IO-550's for the climb and OEI performance, cruise is about the same as a stock 310R, 180-195kts depending on how much fuel you poor into it.  True, if flown properly a light twin is not "much" more to operate than a HP single.  Those Colemill B55's are AMAZING!!!  I was looking at a few but chose the 310R for the space, especially the baggage and the B58's were out of my price range.  Let me know if you are ever in Vegas I'd love to check out your 55.

[KLRDMD]

2 minutes ago, Jeev said:

Let me know if you are ever in Vegas I'd love to check out your 55.

I used to be there a lot but my trips there have diminished. As a matter of fact I kept a car at HND that I just sold yesterday since I'm not there that much anymore.

[MIm20c]

@Jeev ...you might want to look at the 310, as long as that’s an option might as take a hard look at the 340, also 414 is a viable option is you need more room. Gotta love mission creep, I like the way you justify the upgrades!

Me? I have no business looking at but I lust over the MU2 that’s listed over on BT. Now THATS a big upgrade from a C model. 

[milotron]

29 minutes ago, MIm20c said:

@Jeev ...you might want to look at the 310, as long as that’s an option might as take a hard look at the 340, also 414 is a viable option is you need more room. Gotta love mission creep, I like the way you justify the upgrades!

Me? I have no business looking at but I lust over the MU2 that’s listed over on BT. Now THATS a big upgrade from a C model. 

I started looking at T310s seriously and ended up looking at 340s, etc. Pretty easy to do for sure.

I still like the size of the 310, not as big as an almost-cabin class, but roomier than Mooney or most other singles.

I keep trying to convince myself that I don't need to upgrade, but keep coming back to this

[KLRDMD]

5 minutes ago, milotron said:

I started looking at T310s seriously and ended up looking at 340s, etc. Pretty easy to do for sure. I still like the size of the 310, not as big as an almost-cabin class, but roomier than Mooney or most other singles. I keep trying to convince myself that I don't need to upgrade, but keep coming back to this

If you want to make this trip, you need to upgrade. But I don't think I personally would do it in anything that doesn't burn Jet-A.

I need to make a trip from Arizona to Portland, Oregon 6-8 times a year now. I looked hard at Known Ice singles and a few twins but decided if I'm going to make the flight year long, it has to burn Jet-A and that's out of my budget.

Commercial air travel isn't that bad . . . yes it is . . . but I do it 

[Jeev]

1 hour ago, milotron said:

I started looking at T310s seriously and ended up looking at 340s, etc. Pretty easy to do for sure.

I still like the size of the 310, not as big as an almost-cabin class, but roomier than Mooney or most other singles.

I keep trying to convince myself that I don't need to upgrade, but keep coming back to this

Very similar story to me.  I knew we needed/wanted a twin in 2016 but started looking seriously Jan 17 and finally found the right plane this month.  There are a lot of dog twins that have been sitting.  I preferred a Bearcat but just wanted a clean airframe that hasn’t sat a lot.  If that  meant a T310r I was ok with that.  Seems like you already know but the T310 opx is very close to the 340 as they run the same engines / turbos and that is where most of the cost comes from.  There is a real nice T310R in Wyoming,  the seller and I couldn’t come to an agreement on price out he is an honest guy with a nice plane. PM me if you want his info. 

Good luck on your search, you will eventually find the right aircraft.

[milotron]

8 minutes ago, Jeev said:

Very similar story to me.  I knew we needed/wanted a twin in 2016 but started looking seriously Jan 17 and finally found the right plane this month.  There are a lot of dog twins that have been sitting.  I preferred a Bearcat but just wanted a clean airframe that hasn’t sat a lot.  If that  meant a T310r I was ok with that.  Seems like you already know but the T310 opx is very close to the 340 as they run the same engines / turbos and that is where most of the cost comes from.  There is a real nice T310R in Wyoming,  the seller and I couldn’t come to an agreement on price out he is an honest guy with a nice plane. PM me if you want his info. 

Good luck on your search, you will eventually find the right aircraft.

PM sent. thanks,