minitour

Then you're looking at 310, Baron, maybe a Twinkie....

Nah. You're going to want the pressurization...and you'll REALLY want the turbos when you're slinging ice off of the props below 10.

-mini

packageflyer

I managed a start up flight department several years back. We looked at several different piston twins before settling on the Chieftain. They are roomy, with the 350 HP engines, you can get up to the low teens comfortably with supplemental oxygen without a lot of trouble. Just use caution with rapid descents, causing shock cooling to the cylinders. Not a good thing. It is a 180 knot airplane. It is nothing to boast about on single engine performance especially at higher altitude airports on hot days. But then again, not many piston engine cabin class twins are......If you can find a Panther conversion (4 blade props and winglets) that really makes a nice airplane. The Chieftain just gives the passengers a roomy feel. As it is with any piston twin, don't expect to fill all eight seats and have a range much over two hours with IFR reserves. It will burn 42-44 gallons per hour if my memory serves me correct. Good luck with your search.

mswmsw

Not sure if anyone actually asked this specific question yet (don't think so) but....... how much does he want to spend? THAT (and what he can afford for an operating budget) is going to be an important - maybe most important - factor. Can you give us his ballpark $$$ range he wants to spend?

That said, if he can afford $600,000 to $1M or so, I'd get a King Air 200...... a bunch are on the market right now in that price range and it is much more capable for carrying 6 plus baggage and gear than any of the 90 series King Airs.