Ok, I'm done chasing around Merlins. The only one I want is a rare bird indeed and it's only for sale by one guy who is about 200k off on his price and doesn't understand what a negotiation is. After shuffling my routes around, I can make this work with my longest westbound leg at 750isn NM and my longest eastbound leg at 950ish. The MU2 will do that all day.

I definitely want a long body, and I was thinking a Marquise, but looking at the performance data, it seems the J model is the best performer for single engine or normal rate of climb even though it only has -6 engines; it also uses less runway. I'm also aware that often times the paperwork doesn't reflect the reality, so which model is the one to have if you're in the market for a long body?

When you find that splecial MU2 make sure you don't forget to tell the owner what it is worth, that way he hopefully won't be suprised by your low balling.

Oh, and don't forget to tell the trainers, mechanics and insurance people what they are allowed to charge, as I am sure they all really have no clue either.

I cannot add anything about MU2's other than they service and restore a lot of them here at my home field. Their customers seems quite pleased with their purchases and how they are treated.

http://www.air1st.com

Good Luck!
Don

Here's the data I got from Reese Howell's website. For those who don't know, Reese is the man when it comes to MU2s. If he put it up, it believe it's accurate.

I've met Reese as well. Stand up guy. Spent a rainy Saturday morning being educated about why these birds are so special. Don't tell SWMBO as it would be more than she could handle. I'm having to step up in baby steps......

My only complaint is the incredible noise these things produce on the ramp....

Peace,
Don

I never looked into the MU2 performance data because i knew it would be bad for me..

4,000 UL?!?

Reece Howell is the man with the answer. He is in Murfreesboro Tn and a super nice man. In the Tn aviation Hall of Fame because of his MU-2 Experience and knowledge. I can get his cell# if you need it.

Thanks, I can't wait until Monday to speak with him. I actually went flying in a Marquise with him, the only real difference I noted in flying on one engine from a normal bird was you don't use the stick and you better be quick to trim the rudder. I didn't think it was that bad...I'm really glad this bird is going to work out for my mission, I really like it.

Ok Dr. Barnes, thanks for clearing the way. I just spoke with Reese, he set me straight.

For anybody out there wondering what the answer is, here's the deal: the J model is capable of all that because even with the lower power it's still got better power to weight because it has -6s with a max power of 1330HP and a max TO weight of 10,800. The Marquise has -10s; max power is 1430HP with a max TO weight of 11,575. The -10s really just allow more power up at altitude.

If you load a Marquise within the envelope of a J model you'll blow the doors off the J model in all categories.

Guess who's buying a Marquise?

Craig,

Best of luck, Reese is a true treasure and gives so freely of his MU-2 wisdom. The J and L models where also used heavily in the 135 market as hauled just as much as the Marquise but had a lower acquisition cost.

When you next fly with Reese ask him about George Mall and all the Mu-2's he owned.

Regards,
Nigel

I fly one of the last Marquise built, with the Sperry SPZ-500 autopilot. These are hard to find (serial numbers 1500S.A. and above). The useful load is fantastic, we even got the toilet flushing to work again.

The hardest thing about getting into an MU-2 (other than finding one) is the training. I found the MU-2 SFAR 108 training to be harder than getting a type rating on a modern Lear, as you are expected to be able to do everything by yourself, without a co-pilot. I now firmly believe that if you can fly an MU-2 properly (especially single engine), you can flight anything.

I suggest you join the MU-2 mailing list, lots of knowledge to be had there. Expect to have to do some mentoring time, even if you have a zillion hours on turboprops or jets. I would fly with a co-pilot regardless for the first year, the workload is very high on the MU-2.

The Marquise is subject to a 2400 hour structural inspection that will likely become an AD. I suggest getting that inspection done as part of a pre-buy to cover yourself.

-Pascal

Who??

Unless you just need the space a mu2 offers, for the same money you can get an early eclipse jet thats faster, more modern, safer and burns less fuel. But, if you need the space, you need the space. I like mu2s, i spent a lot of time hanging out with a mu2 camper at osh this year and its a really well made and impressive bird. That was my first choice before getting talked into an eclipse.

Bullish on eclipses, check them out. I know of a not advertised creampuff for sale in the 650 range, pm me.

Mike

I thought these were possibly turning into pumpkins....has something changed?