How has ownership been so far? The thread just seemed to have stopped.

Ownership is going great so far. I'm coming up on 5 months and 75+ hours. The plane is squawk free and hasn't had anything break since the initial few weeks of getting everything fixed. Next vacation/trip is to Mexico. It has really been everything I have expected it to be and I haven't had any surprises. I've prodded 2 other friends into getting a Klingon of their own and a third is getting close to buying one also. For the money, I don't think there is a better value in the jet market. If you had to use it everyday for business; it would eat you alive but for 75-100hrs a year, it's absolutely perfect. A friend said it perfectly, a "Klingon jet allows you to be a baller on a budget".

Worst thing that has occurred is a mouse crawled into the nose baggage from up the nose gear. He survived one low level flight but did not survive the subsequent poison and sticky trap. I've always practiced catch and release with mice until I saw one living in proximity to expensive wire bundles!

It is usually the reverse as more hours amortize hangar, insurance, taxes, subscriptions, and calendar based maintenance over more flying hours.

What makes it more expensive to fly more such that using routinely in business isn't appropriate?

Mike C.

Good point; the fixed costs and maintenance are incredibly low so it's all about he fuel. It burns more fuel than any other thing I've owned in my life so fuel is far and away the primary driver of when and where I take the Klingon. I got stuck down low going to/leaving Atlanta and it was a real eye opener how much gas I burned. No CAA or cheap self serve then I'm not going there. There's also a bit of effort involved with getting it out of the hangar and putting it to bed as it's a fairly large airplane. Likewise, it takes a little longer to get the bugs off the windows and wings. Not real complaints but just something to keep in mind. I had to learn how to operate a "real" tug; it's like driving a boat trailer with an extra point of pivot. It's a large machine to be the pilot/fuelman/line guy, etc. but totally doable if you are passionate about it.

These are wonderful anachronisms from a different era but due to the fuel burn it's going to be a delightful toy and not something I would suggest for a 300 hour a year business user.

You say the fixed and MX costs are incredibly low. I was under the impression that the phase 1-5 and calendar inspections are what would eat someone alive. Can you enlighten me as to your thoughts on what’s going to be required both time and money wise over the next few years? Assume nothing unexpected.

Back in the day when I was waiting for my Eclipse my instructor told me to just buy a citation.
I was interested until he told me to expect a 100k bill for an phase check

And that’s without issues

I directly know 4 former Eclipse owners that now own Citation 1SPs. All of us agree that is meaningfully less expensive to own a 1SP than an Eclipse. All of us agree that the Citation is significantly better built and more reliable than the Eclipse. The Eclipse is like a Siren that lures you in with low fuel costs but then kills you with probes, windshields, outflow valves, servos and broken computers. The number of people on the Eclipse forum with AOG issues lasting many months is incredibly scary. The Citation is brutally honest and says, "Hey, I burn a ton of fuel but that's about all I'm going to hassle you with".

Phase 1-4 is about $12K and Phase V is about 25K at a real shop. I'm sure you could bring a guy in on the side and do it cheaper. You can extend these significantly if you get on the Kevin Bacon program. Simple, robust systems that rarely break and it is easy to work on. 48 month inspections on the Eclipse are running about $40-50K.

Michael
I am happy with my Eclipse and I am happy that you are happy with your airplane.

I am coming up on 10 years of ownership and it’s been a great ride.

Let’s see how long you enjoy your airplane.

I directly know 4 former Eclipse owners that now own Citation 1SPs. All of us agree that is meaningfully less expensive to own a 1SP than an Eclipse. All of us agree that the Citation is significantly better built and more reliable than the Eclipse. The Eclipse is like a Siren that lures you in with low fuel costs but then kills you with probes, windshields, outflow valves, servos and broken computers. The number of people on the Eclipse forum with AOG issues lasting many months is incredibly scary. The Citation is brutally honest and says, "Hey, I burn a ton of fuel but that's about all I'm going to hassle you with".

Phase 1-4 is about $12K and Phase V is about 25K at a real shop. I'm sure you could bring a guy in on the side and do it cheaper. You can extend these significantly if you get on the Kevin Bacon program. Simple, robust systems that rarely break and it is easy to work on. 48 month inspections on the Eclipse are running about $40-50K.

Funny, that's exactly the profile of who I think CAN afford to use it.

Mike C.

Funny, that's exactly the profile of who I think CAN afford to use it.

Mike C.

Funny, that's exactly the profile of who I think CAN afford to use it.

Mike C.

Local Citation shop says they average 9-12K for a 1-4 and $20K for the average 1-5. I can live with these numbers.

Mike C.[/quote]
I was going to say the same thing. Not too that I can justify using the CJ for personal trips but have no problem with 300 hours/yr for business.[/quote]

There is a huge difference in paying with pre-tax or after tax dollars. The business vs. personal usage is a significant and often not talked about factor in operating costs.

When is your next 1-5 due?