Is the legacy King AI necessary for the Aerocruze?

RAS

I flew KCRE KBJC many times non stop into the wind. 8+ hours and landed w plenty of fuel. You could lift the wing as you fueled and easily get 150g in it.

Was that with or with out the STC to go from 120 to 140 gallons?

I had a 2000 Malibu Mirage that we had that STC installed on. It had an extra outboard cap on each wing. If I remember correctly it was called the "VK Leasing Extended Range STC".

No, the King AI is just a backup. The Aerocruze uses a KG71 digital ADAHRS.

How does the airframe 10000hr life limitation affect pricing? I know you said price is firm but I am new to PA46 shopping and the 10k limitation is a factor that the market considers I would have thought.

I like your airplane very much and its what I have in mind for my mission: I need an IFR capable FIKI airplane to travel single pilot mostly solo but now and again with 1-2 pax 1200nm against winds and with reserves year round.

I am an ATP with ~4k hours and fly a 340 and 421 for their owners. I like these Cessna twins very much but I don't need their payload, fuel burn or maintenance costs for my own business mission. I also prefer the Continental engine to the Lycoming engine from personal experience.

Brian

It has 5400 hours in 41 years. At that rate it will hit 10,000 in another 34.38 years. Piper will have addressed it by then I'm sure.

I could not have said it better myself, Lance.

Well if that's the case, what are they waiting for ?
Seriously, I think there is 0 chance that Piper will do diddly squat.
If they had ANY intentions, it would be done by now.

BTW: I own a Legacy Malibu, so I DO have a dog in this fight, but I'm not delusional either.

I doubt that Piper will address this. The bigger question is "Are you going to keep the plane for 30 years ?" At $399,000, this is the lowest priced Malibu on the market. It's a more than fair price for a plane with 150 hour engine, prop, turbos, accessories and hydraulics. Some one is going to get a great airplane which will serve them well for years if not decades. I would just keep it, but I want a King Air. I don't need a King Air, but heck .. I don't NEED a Malibu.


If the life limit on the airframe is a concern, a new M350 has a 10,000 hours. So, the math is 46% more useful life for 400% more cost ...