I work (part time) as a flight instructor at a flight training center at a US military facility in the Far East. We have some single engine aircraft but really want a twin, so that we can prepare the military pilots for their ATP tests and have an aircraft for cross country rental use that will carry adults and bags at a decent speed. Cross country here often involves long over water legs, so a second engine will be welcome.

Where we are, AVGAS costs about $10 per gallon, and MOGAS is about a third of that, so a MOGAS STC is a must to keep the rental rates within the paygrades of our customers. Sometime later this year, Air Planes and Petersen Aviation will be producing ADIs for Barons, so the B and E models, which have MOGAS STCs look like our best options.

The US government has no budget for this kind of equipment, so a number of the instuctors are going to pool our resources and buy a plane to lease to the flight training center. So, I am looking for:

1. advice about models and things to look for or avoid in buying a used Baron.
2. we will be looking to upgrade the avionics to flat panels, so any advice about Aspen, Garmin or other panel upgrades would be welcome.
3. Advice about bench stocks for our maintenance facility. (our other aircraft are all Cessnas and turnaround for orders back to the US is about two weeks, so we need to stock the spares we are most likely to need, within a budget.)
4. advice about training; is it worthwhile to send a mechanic somewhere for Baron-specific training? (if so, where?) and any recommendations for places we could send a couple of instructors for intensive training in flying and instructing in a Baron.

piecemeal advice, war stories, anything will be appreciated.

Steven,

Not sure about the Mogas STC, but check this out. If I did not already own more than I need I would be checking it out. Looks nice.
http://www.beechtalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=54286&view=unread#unread

Steve,

Most of the Barons are fine. However, if the mission is 4 or occasionally 5 and bags, good performer, the E with the big tanks comes to mind as a good choice. The 58 is also a good choice for a bit better loading capability but a higher purchase price. I might eliminate the Barons with small tanks (136) only because of your comment on long overwater flights. But all Barons will push close to 800nm with reasonable reserve.

My biggest concern with glass would be a good avionics support facility close by or I'd stay with steam.

As for spares, the common ones would be: alternator, starter, adapter, vacuum (pressure) pump with the elastomeric gear in place, set of plugs, wires, tires, tubes, brake pads, heater plug, etc. Perhaps a fuel pump, gear motor, flap motor.... depending. Also, o rings for fuel cap, drain, and a bunch of spares. A good selection of misc hardware, screws, bolts, etc, and electrical parts, limit switches, bulbs, wires, breakers, also lubes, grease, etc. Perhaps a few spare cylinders, and associated hardware to change.

Some of this would depend on what level dispatch you'd want.

I'd argue to do preventive maintenance and order any part assumed to be failing in advance, like following the recommended inspections and R&R on accessories.

For the most part, the Baron is very reliable if one stays ahead of things.

As for your mechanics, contact the ABS Bonanza/Baron inspection folks for advise, and for the instructors, the BPPP is a good start.

There are no MoGas STCs for any Baron. AFaIK, the Apache is probably the only twin that could qualify for that and they don't fly well on one engine.