Flying the Cessna 414

R Banger

R Banger

Profl. Backseat Flyer
Hey guys I will be doing some flying in a Cessna 414 on the side every once in a while. I will be going up and doing some practice with the owner in a couple days. I have been studying up on the plane, but without any time in it yet was looking for some pointers. Any tricks to flying this bird? The biggest plane I have flown so far is the Seneca so this is a big step up.
 
Use the search function for Cessna 414, there are a few post in the past year that should help you as far as aircraft handing traits, speeds, power settings, operating cost, etc. I'd take more time to type it all out, but I'm about to head to Calgary for the evening.

If you come across any specific questions, add them to this thread and I'll be more than happy to help you find the answer. I was managing a '74 in the past year. They're fun airplanes but will require you to be more forward thinking, esp in your descent planning. If you've been flying a turbo-Seneca, you'll have a fairly easy transition.

Have fun it, they're great airplanes! Post some pics of it when you get to fly it!
 
It's actually pretty easy to fly and land. The power settings vary a little bit if you have the RAM 414 or not, but expect something along the lines of 36" and max prop for take off, at economy cruise expect about a fuel burn of about 100lb/side an hour for something close to 185kts. Just baby the engines a little bit.
 
I tried searching for some threads but didn't have too much luck, just a lot of simcom experiences and insurance requirement questions.

I will get some pics it's a nice one. It's got the RAM 7 conversion so it's peppy. First time sitting so high up and moving that much weight. Just want to make sure I am not pancaking it into the ground, the flight portion isn't the part I am most concerned about. Mostly just the landing and takeoff phases.
 
It's a really easy airplane to fly... just read the POH. If it's not the wet wing (i.e. not the 414A), you should definitely read up on the fuel system particularly. My technique was to fly it on to the runway... none of this chop the power and flare til it stalls stuff, although you will probably need to pull the power all the way out anyway... just keep a slightly nose low attitude than what you're use to and you can get some squeeker landings.

Other than that it's a super easy airplane to fly and it's just a twin. You should be pretty confident in it early on. You'll like flying it if all you've flown is a Seneca. Cessna twin cockpits (and jets) are really well laid out IMHO.
 
The 414 landing feels pretty "flat" at least to me, so if you feel you're about to pancake it you probably have it close to right, don't over correct too much.
 
Like the plane for some silly reason. Have fun.

During the preflight, have someone with some experience show you the planes most important pin, and take the gust lock out. Whatever you do, always check your gust lock before getting back into ze plane.

Read your POH and keep in mind that it doesn't have geared engines, no extinguishers, gets warm quick (RAM Kit?) and loves proper cowlflap use and appreciates gradual power reductions. Lands flat, but loves crosswind. Loves flat climbs and descents in ice.

Other than that, I think it does all the things a normal plane does, you know... pull on the yoke, trees gone, pull some more = trees there again, push on the yoke, sky gone, push some more, wings gone. Wheel left, motion picture moves right and opposite. Stuff like that.

Oh, the little triangular window is cool. You open it while taxiing, I almost bet that propeller is going to try to smack a little stone right towards your head. If you feel like you've just been shot in the head, close the window. If there is bleeding, seek medical help.

Don't do negative maneuvers if the thing has a crapper with a passenger on it. For some reason nobody ever buckles down. Don't look!

If you plan to get scared and scream, pull the curtains shut before doing so.
 
Appreciate all the tips guys will report back on how it goes. Scheduled to practice some approaches and landings Wednesday morning!
 
Cessna414JJB said:
Other than that, I think it does all the things a normal plane does, you know... pull on the yoke, trees gone, pull some more = trees there again, push on the yoke, sky gone, push some more, wings gone. Wheel left, motion picture moves right and opposite. Stuff like that.

Oh, the little triangular window is cool. You open it while taxiing, I almost bet that propeller is going to try to smack a little stone right towards your head. If you feel like you've just been shot in the head, close the window. If there is bleeding, seek medical help.

Don't do negative maneuvers if the thing has a crapper with a passenger on it. For some reason nobody ever buckles down. Don't look!

If you plan to get scared and scream, pull the curtains shut before doing so.
Click to expand...


Oh my god this was hilarious!
 
I flew a ram iv version a bit, plane was great. Climbed right up into the high 20's averaging 1000fpm and would do 215ktas when it got there. Ram engines were liquid cooled so you could chop and drop like a turbine. No major quirks. Don't lean before turning aux pumps off, the engines don't like that.
 
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As promised here is a pic. You guys were right flies like any other twin, and lands the same too. Really impressed though, amazing what some AC and pressurization do for comfort. I die in the summer heat in the Seminole. A friend lent me his Simcom book so I am pouring through it to make sure I know what to do in case of abnormal indications.
 
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