BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Sep 2011, 16:12

I saw one at Santa Monica last week, N262DG. It's a very handsome looking plane, kind of like a 70's Cessna Tbone. They seem very rare.

Anyone flown one or know more about them?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Sep 2011, 16:20

Rick Durden told me it was one of the sweetest-flying twins he's flown.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Sep 2011, 16:27

They are popular in high altitude countries due to the turbos. Not pressurized though. "Newest" design of the Cessna piston twins.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Sep 2011, 16:32

I flew one many years ago. It was 225 hp per side and not real fast. Nice flying a/c. ERAU used them for multi training back in the day.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Sep 2011, 16:53

A plane we would see a lot more of without the great aviation collapse of 1986. If there was ever a bad time to get into the market it was 1981 :pullhair:

.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Sep 2011, 20:28

I saw one in granbury, tx in feb... Hadnt ever heard of one before then... It sure looked cool

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Sep 2011, 21:33

We used to maintain two, we were not fans.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Sep 2011, 22:23

Why not, Charles?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Sep 2011, 22:32

Username Protected wrote:

Why not, Charles?

You beat me to the punch.

I would also like to know why because a friend has a Cessna 303 and he is not using it. It is actually parked right behind my Bo in the Hanger. He would like to sell (more like dump) it and I am giving it some thought. I have learned that the main issue with the 303 is that it is underpowered. I was told about an STC for the 303 to change the engines to 300 HP each.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Sep 2011, 22:38

It is not what we are used to. Beechcraft/Piper/Mooney. It always seemed as though were were waiting for obscure parts.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Sep 2011, 12:42

Flew a couple of them. Nice to fly if you don't mind crawling from the door to the cockpit. Did a couple of sets of engines years back and they were a nightmare. We will not touch one. Never heard of an STC to up the HP either.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Sep 2011, 13:36

I believe the T303 has a pair of STCs available that effectively increase available power:

From Cruise Air:

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_an ... light=t303

and from American:

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_an ... light=t303

Planes with the STCs command a higher price...

RAS

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Sep 2011, 20:20

We have one in for service work, and super clean. It's a nice flying aircraft with a crew of two, as a six passenger plane.... well very under powered.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Sep 2011, 22:58

I maintained one for several years. Good plane to work on with a few 'gotchas's'
The the TSIO -520-AE engine is special. Cyinders and camshaft are unique.

Hydraulic gear which free falls in emergency extention.

Non pressurized. Most are in other countries.
My owner sold his and it was exported.

Outlaw Aircraft in Tenn. are specialists and have a number of STC's.

One is to bump up the top fo the green ARC to get more cruise speed.
Its a paper & paint STC.

PS I flew others also and found them very short field capable when light. Less than 1000 feet! Very easily handling and predictable.
Can't say about gross weight.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Sep 2011, 07:14

TTIWWP

Cessna Crusader t303