Beech Information request

[Ditch]

I am considering purchase of a single engine 4 place aircraft. Why is the Musketeer family 10 to 15K less than Piper, Cessna, Grumman? Also, any valid criticism of injected engines versus carb?

[Denny of Oakland]

From the maintenance standpoint go with the fuel-injected engine. There is a lot less problems to deal with like vapor lock, carburetor overhauls, certain fuel leaks, etc.

The Musketeer family has a history of landing accidents such as ballooning, proposing, bouncing, and loss of directional control and hard landing. Most of these aircraft have been damaged in one-way or another so it affects the resale value. This is not a good trainer type aircraft.

Denny of Oakland

[funpilot]

The Musketeer (Sundowner, Sport) do have a tendency to be nose heavy in landing. If you can find a good example, carrying passengers in the rear, or some weight in the baggage compartment (50 pounds or so) can really help.

The neatest thing about fuel injection is the protection against carberator ice. Vapor lock is a function of engine installation, and can be found on many models carberated or injected when starting up hot.

Good luck,
funpilot

[jhaze77]

I also am a new Pilot looking seriously at buying a Musketeer. Some (owners) argue that there is really no problem with landing them. I think maybe this is partly just a bad reputation they have aquired for a trait that is real but controllable. I hope I'm right because I've just about got myself talked into buying one for what seems to me to be a very good price. Otherwise, due to budget problems, I'll probably be stuck with a 150. I've also heard that , though the Musk. does have landing quirks, they are not nearly as bad as landing problems found in some light Grumman AC. This is only heresay. I'm not trying to badmouth Grummans. I do intend to fly the Musk. with a qualified instructer until I'm satisfied it is safe.Feed back is invited and would be appreciated. Thanks JH

[Denny of Oakland]

JH,

Since you are purchasing a Musketeer and starting training I would recommend you find an instructor that knows the aircraft and those funny little things it does. If you learn how the aircraft will react and how to avoid certain situations you should be fine. It’s the guys who don't take the time to learn right and know the aircraft that have problems.

The aircraft is a bit nose heavy and catches allot of pilots off guard on landing in cross wind and gusts and they try to force it down. By the time they figure out it is nose heavy they cannot recover and hit the dirt hard. Flying one is something that is learned as it is with every aircraft. Just remember no two aircraft same make and model fly the same.

Good Luck and thanks for making aviation what it is.

Denny of Oakland.