Not sure were you will find a Mustang for $1.5m ?
Even flying by yourself you will not have the range of your PC12 or a TBM and spend 50% more fuel to get there. Unless your flying at FL350 a lot you wont average under 100 gph.

So, how do I (with my "cheap, low-demand" airplane that is the pinnacle of my financial ability to realistically fly and maintain) get in on this investment strategy where we buy $3M airplanes in order to sell them for a 200k profit after a couple hundred hours?

Is there a bank that will loan me $2,900,000 on a Pilatus (since that is the only BT-acceptable step-up from a Bonanza)? I mean, they should, right? It's a no-brainer... you can't lose money! I'll just show the broker this thread and Jason's posts.

There are 23 Mustangs listed for sale starting at an asking of $1.7MM. Guarantee you I'd get one for $1.5MM or even a little less. That's a lot of plane for the money.

Fuel burn is "smoke and mirrors". I've learned that with the PC12. It's directly related to altitude and most of the time I don't get the altitude I want. We're at the mercy of ATC. I don't even look at the FF gauge anymore.

I bought the PC12 for the size and the range. I don't care about fuel burn. I'm shopping P180's now. Jet fuel just seems to be getting cheaper. 100LL just seems to be getting more expensive. I'll bet my average fuel bill is $4.30 a gallon.

The plane you buy must have "utility". I don't feel "speed" is part of "utility" if you have to stop for gas. Of course I know you agree.

The plane you buy must be able to perform well at the lower altitudes ATC is going to put you in. Pretty much all jets are out the door to me except newer highly efficient versions and those are all in the $9MM+ range.

You don't fly for business like I do so my scenario doesn't apply. I clarified my statement in my post.

John,

I will be cheeky and say man up.
Anyway, not sure where you were headed with the analysis. But I took it out three years. Change variables in blue. Everything else is calculated and flows from there.

Note: I did the spreadsheet in OpenOffice and converted it. So I posted both versions.

Tim

So nothing firm but I one of two of my businesses had some really, really good news today. I told my wife and my business partner that if either of these things becomes real and I hear about it via a phone call, I will be on controller.com looking at $1MM+ airplanes before I hang up the phone.

I've been around enough to know that either case is probably a long shot but while I'm enjoying the news, I'm going to do some window shopping. So I just looked at Mustangs and Jason is right, 1.5 ought to buy one. What's wrong with them? Does anybody know the UL, 1st and second hour fuel burn & fuel capacity?

You're my hero.

So I can get a G1000 equipped Mustang for 1.5. The same amount of money will get me a steam gauge 700A or B. I know more training type rating etc is all wrapped up in the jet. I am sure the TBM can get in and out shorter runways. Range probably better for the TBM. Useful load about the same? Which one.......older TBM or Mustang???

I am actively trying to buy a mustang right now and I can tell you I can't find one for 1.5M. Unless you know of some that are hiding...

The meridian is easy to get in and out of if you know how. I am 6'0 and you just have to figure it out. I also ditched my bose headsets for in ear headsets, and that helps a lot. I also have a seat mod, which I think is a 5k STC.

I would much rather have a mustang over a TBM. Full fuel, payload is about 790 lbs.

I'm assuming you're watching the AvantAir situation?

If there's a chance that bankruptcy will get ugly/go to liquidation, the prices on P180s could tank overnight and stay there for a while until that inventory is all worked off. (And I'd worry about the actual airworthiness and parts traceability on the aircraft owned/managed by Avantair.)

I honestly do not get why a Mustang is an attractive buy. It has horrible range for a jet and doesn't carry any more people than a TBM.

It's faster than the TBM and it's a pure jet. There are appeal to both of those qualities, even if the Mustang isn't as good in other dimensions.

Well, it doesn't have ice doors... :-(

It has 1150nm range, which is good for me. I think it is good for a lot of people too. The inside has a much better feel than a TBM, it has two engines, can fly much higher, above the weather you get stuck in in the Meridian, PC-12, and TBM. It goes faster, and has MUCH better engine out performance. Plus I can keep my baggage out of the cabin, which makes the cabin feel much bigger.

That being said, it isn't for everyone, and I can certainly understand why one would stay with a single turboprop over it. I am having serious heartburn over the decision.

Jason,

If you find one you are going to have to return to Sedona so I can check it out.

Russ

My uncle was there this morning in his V-tail. He was heading to EGE. I told him to ask for a fuel discount... don't think that worked!

We are going to be out over Nov 10 or so for a few days with Lily and the boys. As long as we don't tell Farmer I am going to be there.... :-)

I may be out there sooner, and we should get together!

-jason