What can't be seen is the most important ingredient. . . Preflighting the aircraft we can't help being comforted by knowing if any problems are found with engines, camloc fasteners allow removal of the handsome fiberglass cowlings in less than three minutes. Settling down into the pilots's seat you face a well-designed and spacious instrument panel completely shock mounted on 12 lord mounts with switches and circuit breakers neatly placed along the base of the panel in front of you.
Dual post lighting for all instruments and a zoom spot light ensure ample lighting for night trips.
As the throttles are eased forward the solid power of the two Lycoming 180 HP engines is felt and the 400-foot takeoff claim becomes reality. The relative quietness makes it easy for passengers to carry on normal coversation or to slip their seats into the recline position and doze. Dozing might be a nice way to pass the miles when one realizes the fuel stingy engines use less than 9 GPH each in economy cruise giving us six hours fuel or 900 statute miles range with reserves. Tip tanks increase range to 1500-plus miles. Arriving over the destination speed can be slowed safely to 80 MPH on final for the upcoming short field landing on the 1000-foot strip below us.