Before I buy that thing check with the FAA
I bet that airplane gets repossessed by the feds for drug related issues

Only if COD is an option.

Can anyone with experience compare the inside noise level of a MU-2 vs C421?

i.e. Can passengers have relatively normal conversations with one another (without the benefit of headsets) same as the 421?

Thanks,

The 421 is much quieter than the MU-2. Inside the MU-2 the noise is not hateful, surely not as bad as the exterior. I would wear headsets in either, although the 421 you could at least converse without headsets.

I don't have enough recent experience in a 421 to compare directly. But in my Solitaire, we prefer to wear headphones though I know the previous owner's passengers typically did not. I think it's a little loud without them. But... it's not brutally loud by any means, and one could have a conversation without them.

Oh, and the exterior ground noise is not really a factor inside. It's all exterior.

Of course, without headphones you also can't rock out to the tunes streaming from the XM Classic Rewind station...

Wouldn't be too much of a surprise if the airframe could do it!

I have never been in a C421 so I can't compare. But, my passengers will often elect not to wear headsets in the back and seem to be quite happy. I would expect it is slightly louder than the C421.

It will vary from model to model.

A Marquise, in the back, is fairly quiet, probably similar to a 421.

My airplane, in the front, is pretty noisy, more than a 421.

So the answer is, it depends.

Most of the the noise in the MU2 is prop noise. My RPM is 2000, the 4 blade versions are 1591 RPM. 421 is generally between those two numbers.

Mike C.

Thanks for the generous reply's everyone.

I'll take all that and read between the lines to mean...

421 is quieter but you get there so much faster in the MU-2 that it's all a wash and passengers won't notice.

To a certain extent, yes.

Basically, if you can't achieve truly headset free cabin, then with ANR headsets, it no longer matters that much.

Mike C.

To a certain extent, yes.

Basically, if you can't achieve truly headset free cabin, then with ANR headsets, it no longer matters that much.

Mike C.

I’ve just removed all the pax headsets from my 421. After 12 months of no-one ever wearing them I decided they just get in the way.

So just the two headsets up the front now.

We do that in our Merlin IIIC all day long. Whether or not the kids listen is another thing all together. Just as a point of reference.

Erwin,

Thanks for your comment.

I've never flown in any Garrett powered plane but had assumed the extra noise might be a problem...somewhat alleviated by the extra beef on a TP airframe.

Sounds like the Merlin's reputation for being extra beefy might not be without warrant when it comes to sound proofing and makes me that much more jealous.

Have a good day everyone.

I owned a 421 for 5 years.

A fantastic airplane, good cabin, good speed, good cargo space.

Takes a little more involvement by the owner to keep up with it, but I am that way and never minded heading out to the airport.

I now fly a turbine Commander, my family says there is no difference in cabin sound between the 421 and my Commander. The iPhone DB app confirms that.

Nobody ever wears headphones in either airplane, even though I provide them. They are strictly for movies and music.