BeechTalk - BT - A Comparison of the Cost of Flying Various Airplanes

Username Protected · **Posted:** 05 Dec 2015, 10:29

I recently did something similar when I ended up with my Meridian.

While the support for the TBM is much better, it was the ongoing costs that convinced me that the Piper was better for me. I love the aircraft as it does everything I want of it.

I am based at a relatively short field, normally fly with no more than 3 other people, and rarely fly longer than 500 nm. For me, and my flying, nothing was more cost effective than the Meridian.

One thing I did see in the TBM vs Piper comparison was the disperate years, with more similar years/avionics/hrs, your numbers will quickly favor the Piper. But, if you can justify the price delta, the TBM is an absolutely wonderful machine with fantastic support.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 05 Dec 2015, 11:08

Username Protected wrote:

Lack of competition breeds complacency.

Just ask some of the avionics companies that garmin buried.

In about 10 years, you might be able to ask Garmin about it, too.

They are starting to act like King was in 1995.

Mike C.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 05 Dec 2015, 22:31

Username Protected wrote:

How do you figure that?

High price leaves entry for up and comers.

Engages in purposeful incompatibility tactics to keep their stuff from working with others.

Slowing down in innovation.

Withholding features (like airways on 430W).

Quote:

What specifically are you thinking they are doing wrong Mike?

There is no single panel "G400" PFD like Aspen. They insist on the two panel thing which is much harder to fit in panels. This leaves a foothold for other companies to take some of their market.

They are not aggressively pricing ADS-B. They had to come down some, but Trig, King, Stratus are taking significant market share in that area.

Now doing a retrofit autopilot. They could own that market in spades.

Basically, they believe they are the best and don't have to compete as hard. King thought that, too, probably not worrying about this upstart GPS maker called Garmin. The rest is history.

I like Garmin gear, I just think they are drinking too much of their own Koolaid and need to realize their market can be taknen from them.

Mike C.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 05 Dec 2015, 22:34

They teamed with Foreflight allowing ADSB and Flight plan transfer via their FS210.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 05 Dec 2015, 23:04

Username Protected wrote:

My comments were not a dig, but quite the contrary. The basics of the PC 12 have not changed much because they didn't need to, Its a great already. They have done the normal things, like upgraded avionics and more engine. I love the PC12 and have for a long time, its just not in my price range at this point.
I think what will be innovative is if someone hangs the new GE engine on a legacy l
airframe, coupled with the latest wizbang Garmin touchscreen panel. That could be a gamechanger.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 06 Dec 2015, 22:22

Mike C,

Here is a difference. Garmin has responded very quickly to competitors.
For example, look in the experimental space, the G2000 and beyond.

At the same time, Garmin has become a big company, with a large installed base. As a result, they are forced to go slow due to inertia.

The question will someone invent something which blind sides Garmin and has a low enough of a barrier to entry that they suck up the market and leave no chance to Garmin to play catch up.

So far I have seen nothing on the horizon which has the potential to do so.

Tim