Page 16 - Volume 16 Number 4

combination is optimized for cruise; this means the P-Baron needs more runway for a safe takeoff distance than the 58.
A critical factor, especially when looking to purchase a P-Baron, is the life limit of 10,000 hours on the 58P airframe. I’ve never gotten a qualified engineering answer as to why there’s such a limit, but I suspect it’s due to the 58P’s large square-shaped windows, as opposed to the more conventional small, round windows of most pressurized models. While 10,000 hours may sound a bit low, the fleet average is just under 5,000 hours of airframe total time accrued over 30 years of service, which means most owners will never see 10,000 hours on their P-Baron. Another important thing to consider is that several P-Barons were used as lead-in aircraft in forest fire-fighting activities by the US Forest Service. These aircraft have been effectively removed from the fleet by serial number, in the provisions of AD 2007-21-02.
14 TWIN & TURBINE
APRIL 2012