Good tip, David. I'll need it on the Commander again.

I don't want to sound like I think Hartzell makes bad props, they don't. I think they're actually very good props, just that I find the whole business approach a little weird.



True Luc!

So far the plane needs the copilot windshield replaced as its too thin to polish further and the right outer fuel tank (15 gallons) is inop due to a leak. The outer third of the wing has to be removed (40 hours) to repair the tank. We plan to go fly in the next 10 days or so and take to altitude to test TAS and pressurization. I have been studying an online MU2 re-current training course that consists of videos followed by 6 question tests. Really great system for learning about the plane and I am still planning to go to Symrna for initial ground school 3 days next week. I am itching to get back in the plane and looking forward to learning more about it.

James,

If you want to update anything in the panel and interior nows the time to do it. As its all coming out. Not a hard task just guts the interior to accomplish. The wing removal is straight forward, biggest issue is the flap rigging after, have to be spot on as one can induce a nasty rolling moment if the flaps are out by 1 degree. Worse conditions when flaps go from 5 to 20 degrees.

Note the flap deployment now and check it after work is complete.

Regards,
Nigel

James,

Have you thought about doing the full SIMCOM course in Florida before purchase?

I found it a big help to train before I chose an aircraft.

The SFAR initial course requires some hours in the actual airplane even if done at Simcom, so you can't do it sans airplane.

That being said, going to Simcom and flying the simulator is very valuable to get some feel for the real airplane even though it won't "count" towards the SFAR training program. Simcom has ways to let this happen outside of the SFAR. I really recommend this for a person who is unsure if they can handle the airplane. When I did this, my MU2 thoughts went from "maybe someday" to "I gotta get me one of these!". The sim is quite a bit more difficult to fly than the real thing, as it should be.

I personally recommend that new MU2 pilots get their initial in the airplane and then go to Simcom for a recurrent in 6 months. The benefit is that in the airplane training gets you familiar with YOUR airplane and also helps shake out the bugs with an experience MU2 person with you. In 6 months, now you need to do some intensive engine out work and other things that are too dangerous in the airplane. By 6 months, though, you've come to know YOUR airplane and the sim idiosyncrasies won't be trained into you as reality.

Mike C.

What is the highest sim Level available for the MU-2?

Flight Training Device, level 5.

Simcom has one configure as a Marquise and one configured as a K model.

I'm not aware of any other MU2 FTD or sim out there.

Non motion, full visuals.

Mike C.

A level 5 FTD is what I trained on before I purchased the Merlin as well.

It was a great all around introduction to the real aircraft. I did a week of early morning sim sessions and then several in aircraft sessions in the airlines Merlin. After that I had a much better idea of what I was getting myself into.

There is a full motion SIM at FSI available for the Metro/Merlin. I doubt the training would have been as good as what I received at the airline though.

Second that. There is a crash report from a MU-2 with misrigged flaps. Unfortunately the problem was not discovered until the pilot tried to land and the plane rolled on final.

In any event congrats to the buyer. I hear the MU-2 goes like a scalded cat.

The mechanic failed to fully engage a spline drive and the cotter pin missed the hole. It came undone causing a split flap condition. It wasn't rigging per se.

http://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviat ... 1617&key=1

This scenario can be recreated in the sim and practiced as I have done many times. Key is to detect the split is occurring and put the flap lever back to the previous position before the split is too great to overcome.

To my knowledge, that accident is the one and only instance of it happening to the MU2.


Scalded cat on roller skates.

Mike C.

Sorry to dredge up old thread, but for any MU-2 fans I thought this low pass air-to-air shot in this video at 1:48 would entertain. It's just too cool. That MU2 really hauls a**!

[youtube]http://youtu.be/vymWMLEQ9d8[/youtube]

Ok, now I want one, if that video doesn't sell a MU-2 I don't know what will.

Does an MU-2 purchase come with the Corsair too?!?

Gorgeous in flight footage.

Robert

Yeah...I didn't get a Corsair with mine. The funny thing is, I share my hangar with a GIII, GIV and P51. Even with an MU-2, I've got the "low end" plane in the hangar!

And Jim's PROP video is really exciting to watch. Mitsubishi does about 4 of those every 2 years for the PROP program. He and I were both profiled in 2014, you can find the videos on Youtube (MU2channel or my channel (drklain)). The profile of me also has some great air-to-air footage but doesn't come close to matching Jim's F-4U...

[youtube]https://youtu.be/iO6dIDBk2Aw[/youtube]

Filming the video with a camera plane is a blast and you get several hours of raw HD footage for your trouble...

hehe I know of one better flyby video..