Getting back to OP's requirements - $50k/yr opex budget is ample and comfortable for a Malibu or straight 58. He can enjoy either of those easily. A pressurized twin will strain that budget regardless of engine type.

Really???
Our vacation home is 200nm from home, I bought an A36 just for this mission. This is a 4+ hr drive with no traffic and 6+hr drive on holiday weekends. We have gotten so spoiled flying this route that if I had to drive I might just stay home


If that is the mission profile, get a car.

Mike C.

Guy
What you need to do is get your wife in a 421, P Baron, and a Malibu and let her choose. By the way, years ago I made the move to a twin after losing power on take-off in a Mooney. There is no doubt in my mind that with proper training a twin is safer than a single. Additionally, I moved to a turboprop because I perceive them to be safer than a piston. If I could afford it I would be flying a jet because I think they are considerably safer than any prop plane.

Hey James- love the idea of a partnership. I am currently in one and it works out great.
Thanks for the info about part 91 and fiki- was not aware of that. Makes me feel much better about legalities vs practicalities. Going to have to look closer at p baron and continental Malibus. Love LOP ops

Sounds like a great way to end up with a 421.

I keep thinking the annual budget points to 414 over 421 myself, but I have no direct experience, only anecdotal, so I keep quiet. Glad to see others have suggested it too.

Good problem to have in any event.

$50k/yr is not a comfortable budget for any 400 series cessna.

On my 421B, without engine reserves or avionics databases, I spent: Insurance $4200 for million smooth and 200k hull (I had a very nice B model), MX $10-15K/year, my hangar was $9k, training $1k, fuel 1st hr 50gph, thereafter 43gph. Cruise average 206ktas summer and 215 winter at FL160-175. Between my 414 and 421 there were years where my annuals were 8-10k but with all little crap that came up I would budget 15k.

if you are counting capitol costs, then I would agree. But $50k should cover a 414 or 340 just fine. I have no experience, but Jerry Temple and Juan Oviedo both say it will cover them all.

OK, so we have

$10K hangar
$5k insurance/training
$15K annual/maintenance
50 first hours - 2500 gallons = $12K
50 second hours - 2150 gallons = $11K

That's $53 without any real maintenance surprises. There are plenty of $5K maintenance surprises that can pop up. A baron would be much happier eating on merely $50K/yr.

According to Sanford's numbers, his fixed cost (factoring high maint.) is $29K, leaving $21K for fuel.


Averaging say 45 gal/hr at $5/gal, for $11K you get to fly 49 hours.

This is out of pocket expenses, not taking into account depreciation, cost of money and reserves. I'll bet most private owners not using aircraft for business don't "account" for that anyway.

I can attest 1st hand.. 421 and P are pretty close..

$7000 Hangar
$1000 Training
$700 Pubs
$7000 annual ( if your lucky )
$1500 oil changes
$6000 MX
$3500 Insurance

$30,000 basic ownership

Capital cost ?

$300 per hour fuel



Sounds like you better stick to a A36 TC and get above the weather.
When you start getting into 421C, P Baron, MU2 your in another league... Meaning you better have $50,000 in the bank ready to spend after any flight.. This is reality....

15k was all MX during the year. I rarely had annuals over 10k and that would be if I needed a cylinder. Fuel is the difference from a Baron, OH and the fact that you can take the Baron apart and carry it inside the 421. When you have 4 kids to drag around the country, its nice to have the station wagon to carry all of their bags, strollers, bicycles and whatever, not to mention the room for them to have their ipads and computers on the desks.

Fuel is the least of my worries going form the P to the 421C. Heck- If you can't afford the the fuel then your out of your league. The 421 beats the pants off the 58P when it comes to traveling machine.... Imagine::: you are going from Baltimore to Miami--- You can go in a VW Bug or your buddies 36 foot RV... It's as simple as that

Hmmm...

On a good year, with a very involved owner, could you be at $50k/year for 100 hours? Sure.

On an average year, with an averagely involved owner? No.

340/414/421s are great airplanes, but they are not cheap to maintain. Juan maintains my airplane and does a great job, but it's not cheap. I also have very good dispatch reliability outside of major events (I had a nose wheel collapse on me and have had some engine issues that have caused me downtime).

Let me put it this way: If I only had $50k to spend a year on an airplane, there's no way I'd own a 421. It is doable for a year, but not realistic long term.

The worst thing anyone can do is purchase an airplane that ends up being uncomfortably expensive to operate. Buy an airplane that you can afford to run without worrying about it too much and you'll be much happier.

Robert

29 + 31 = 60