Congrats

Thanks fellas!

It's a baby carriage if you keep it faster than 130 indicated. With the power pulled back some I was burning 75gals./hour at FL270 indicating 190 OAT -21, so 305 KTAS. It handles well, it'll climb through 15k at 180KIAS doing 2500fpm at gross, it takes off and lands in less than 2000', and it's fine on one engine. It's like an Aerostar on steroids. Grossed out climbing out of Denver earlier I was still indicating 180 and pushing 750fpm through FL260. I took off from SNA this morning at 100' and a mile, no problem. It's intuitive, docile, stable, and you'll feel fine after a few take off and landings. Just don't turn into the good engine if one shuts down, and don't pull it off the runway until you're doing 105. I prefer 110.

TJ got me insurance for just under 10K. It has seats for eight, but full fuel and five is more realistic and would be comfortable. The paint and interior were done by ranger, and Joe Megna is putting in the new panel next month.

This is aircraft number eight for me and it's my third turboprop. It's leaves the Cheyennes I had in the dust (a IA and a IIXL). I love it. If any of you A* guys is in my neck of the woods and you want to take a spin, just pm me.

Thanks Craig! I may have to take you up on that.

I'm 2-3 years away but definitely on the short list for my next plane. I attended the MU-2 PROP seminar in Phoenix this spring and was VERY impressed. They said that 50% of new MU-2 owners were coming from an Aerostar.

Glenn

Craig, your plane looks really great, I'm sure you'll love it.

My only suggestion is don't mix and match the GTN and GNS. They're just two different interfaces you have to learn. Get two of the same, whichever is your favorite. Or better yet get a GTN750.

Personally I'd go for two GTN units, since Garmin/Jepp are selling the data subscriptions for those + G600 on a per-airplane basis. If you buy a 430W, you will have to buy a separate data subscription for it too every year. The GTNs + G600 are all included for one price whether you have one, two or seventeen.

Nice decision, i know we discussed the eclipse but i get the mu2 for your range needs. I think it looks great and know you will love it. Go with the 750 650 combo, forget the 650, 430w.

Mike

Also, i think the gdl69 is redundent with the gdl88 (get the diversity model), adsb is the way of the future. Get the xm radio on a portable.

I still like having the XM on the GTN or on the G500. ADS-B is good, but I like having both. Of course, get a good radar in the nose....

And, yeah, do two GTNs. The subscription costs alone are worth it (as well as the ease of updating with an SD card instead of the funky adapters)

-jason

Yes, they are!

Beautiful airplane! Congratulations Craig!

Thanks guys! Mike, that's what did it for me against the jet; I need the range, and I fly in the NE corridor where they'll stick you low just because. Thanks again for the information and kind offer to go for a demo ride just the same.