"Dean" writes:

One question is to do with handling. I've flown it, and its a pussy
cat, however my home grass strip at 600m (2000ft) is plenty long
enough, especially lightly loaded (it doesnt get over 65c here usually
and i'm at 400amsl). It does have a tricky close in tight turn of 90
degrees at a few hundred feet and 1/2 mile from the threshold (we have
pylons at the end of the strip). On other aircraft, no problems, and
I've landed a lot on this strip, and know it well, but i've only 60
hours on twins so not too sure.

I like to go out on stormy nights to get my three night landings for
currency. The storms clear the pattern from all of the students so I
can have fun. The tower here usually lets me do fun things like depart
10 and then immediately flip around and land 23. The Aztec *is* truck-
like but I feel very comfortable doing close-in maneuvers in it.

If the standard Aztec feels marginal on your home strip you can always
add vortex generators, flap seals, wingtips, etc. to improve the low-
speed handling. (I don't have them yet.)

In the UK we have a CAA notice 75 on the props (complete strip down,
inspection and replacement of seals, rebuild etc) every 6 years. This
is due next month. I have the option of putting it on the N reg (run
on condition) but do you think the prop overhaul is a good idea anyway
(in the UK its about 7000 dollars for both props).

We just replaced the props on ours to eliminate the AD. I've run into
problems enough even with those new props that I'd tend toward getting
a prop overhaul anyway - perhaps as part of the pre-purchase
negotiation. (We were told our props would be good.)

Good luck!

--kyler