18 Apr 2024, 07:49 [ UTC - 5; DST ]
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Post subject: Seneca III vs B55 Baron Posted: 28 Oct 2020, 18:29 |
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Joined: 07/23/18 Posts: 15 Post Likes: +1
Aircraft: B757/767
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In the next 12-18 months, I’ll be starting the search for a family hauling twin. Mission will be 400-700 nm with two adults and three kids- 17, 12 and 7. We live in the upper Midwest with plenty of ice and snow and I don’t want to fly a single engine in IMC, hence the need for two motors. I would like to keep the budget around $200k, but the CPA wife might let me stretch it out to $250k for the right machine. I would also like to keep reasonable operating costs- 25-27 gph and no pressurization. I’m okay with 175-180 knots in a Piper or faster in a Baron.
I’ve narrowed the search to a Seneca III or B55. I’ve got a couple hundred hours in a Seneca II but never flown a Baron. It seems like you can get a nice turn key model of either airplane for around $200k. I just wanted to get some opinions on the pros and cons of each. Reliability?
It’s nice most of the Seneca IIIs are FIKI. I know they do well in ice and the cabin is wide and comfortable. The II I flew was pretty reliable, very few maintenance issues over the year I flew it.
Being a Beechcraft message board, I’ll expect the bias, but a 55 is a good machine, so I’ll look forward to the opinions.
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Post subject: Re: Seneca III vs B55 Baron Posted: 28 Oct 2020, 18:55 |
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Joined: 11/20/14 Posts: 6473 Post Likes: +4558
Aircraft: V35
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310 is bigger inside than a 55 Baron. Some have deice. Tend to be available within your budget.
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Post subject: Re: Seneca III vs B55 Baron Posted: 28 Oct 2020, 19:23 |
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Joined: 10/28/14 Posts: 384 Post Likes: +315 Location: Fargo, ND
Aircraft: N80GA - 1979 E55
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Seneca vs. 55 series Barons isn't quite equal when considering the rear cabin - should really be comparing to or looking at the 58 series if you need the room. If a 55 fits the bill for what you want to do 90-95% of the time, and pax #5 is small and not opposed to climbing in through the rear baggage door, those will generally be available at a discount to similar 58s. Link to a recent thread on Senecas and Barons: https://www.beechtalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=181547
_________________ A.P. 'Quinn' Anderson N80GA - 1979 E55
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Post subject: Re: Seneca III vs B55 Baron Posted: 28 Oct 2020, 20:47 |
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Joined: 01/22/19 Posts: 886 Post Likes: +664 Location: KFXE
Aircraft: PA23-250
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An Aztec will outhaul a Baron or Seneca, and will carry a ton of ice if the boots stop working and not fall out of the sky. Has a much bigger cabin than either one, and more baggage space. Has more reliable Lycoming engines. Can do 170 on 26 GPH, or the Turbo version will do 190-210 on 29-36 GPH. Lower insurance rates too.
_________________ A&P/IA/CFI/avionics tech KFXE Cirrus aircraft expert
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Post subject: Re: Seneca III vs B55 Baron Posted: 28 Oct 2020, 21:27 |
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Joined: 07/27/09 Posts: 1112 Post Likes: +544 Location: Chicago
Aircraft: E55
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Booted, Midwestern E55 owner here. I didn’t like the Seneca’s handling as much as the Baron, but it is an inch or two wider. My family didn’t like the club seating of the 58, and I didn’t like the pilot seat recline restriction (I’m tall and fly seat aft and a wee bit off top position), so we went E55. Routinely we fly 5 plus an occasional 95 lb chunky Labrador. No issues getting into the rear seats for my 15 year old or my 6’ 3” 17 year old. They use the bag door or climb over a seat. All seem comfy on 3.5-4 hr flights. TwinBo was an option until I looked at winter and away-from-home-drome hangar space (no t-hangar over nighters, and big equals gouged by fbos for prime heated space).
55s are not FIKI, but do very well in occasional ice—the FIKI Seneca I flew wasn’t much different, but I didn’t/don’t stay in ice long enough to say FIKI Seneca has more merit. I fly a lot over Lake Michigan, so unexpected winter light ice is virtually unavoidable. The booted Baron gives time to execute options. Some compromises but we wouldn’t choose differently.
Oh, Aztrucks are great, but the nickname is very appropriate
_________________ -Tim Anderson
The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire
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Post subject: Re: Seneca III vs B55 Baron Posted: 28 Oct 2020, 22:35 |
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Joined: 01/08/17 Posts: 359 Post Likes: +257
Aircraft: Aerostars, F33A
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Once you have turbos you might as well have pressurization. The capability of topping weather alone is worth it. Nearly all the expense comes with the turbos, little with the pressurization.
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Post subject: Re: Seneca III vs B55 Baron Posted: 28 Oct 2020, 22:55 |
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Joined: 02/11/09 Posts: 1350 Post Likes: +457 Location: Tucson, AZ (57AZ)
Aircraft: 1960 Bonanza M35
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Username Protected wrote: I’ve narrowed the search to a Seneca III or B55. I’ve got a couple hundred hours in a Seneca II but never flown a Baron. It seems like you can get a nice turn key model of either airplane for around $200k. I just wanted to get some opinions on the pros and cons of each. Reliability? I've had a Seneca III and two B55 Barons. You need the Seneca.
_________________ Ken Reed 57AZ
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