[FreedomFlynnie]

Why not? My understanding was that based on speed and range a MU-2 was about the best possible choice for a private pilot who wanted to step up to a twin turboprop.

Even if it is inherently ugly because of the high wing (ducking!) :-p

The question's serious, though. What's wrong with a MU-2?

[Archangelsk]

It's too much airplane for the non-professional pilot. The increase in speed and the situational awareness required demand a higher degree of training and proficiency. This is not just my view, check AOPAs web site for their take on the subject.

[blackdog]

The MU-2 had many AD's on the props. Many mid-air catastrophic separations from the hub, slicing the cabin in two.

The loads and profile of use you place on the current configuation blades is supposed to be limited and closely controlled. The inspection periods are like 100 hours.

Hey, ever do a GPU start on a MU-2? You've got to crawl up along the side of the fuselage to about ten inches from the propeller to disconnect the cable. It's the most frightening experience out there.

The best twins to transition to are the Seminole, Seneca, Dutchess, and 310. All docile and forgiving. The worst are Duke, P-Barons, MU-2(or anything turboprop), Aztec F, 421, Cheyenne, and Navajo. You need to be out in front and the engines are fussy, subject to shock cooling, overheating, and other real performance plane problems if not flown by the numbers.

The Seminole is nice because it's got counter-rotaing props, thus minimalizing critical engine out problems with airspeed.