The -10 short bodies are 310-320KTAS ISA birds. 290 is long body stuff. Not my cup of tea. I would say the CJ2+ is about a third faster.

Another comment I made to Allen was, "I can't believe how low the fuel burn is". In all actuality, the gallons per NM are about identical. Here's another shocker- because of the difference in cost between jet-a and 100LL, it's MORE expensive to fuel an A*. No bullshit.

Let that sink in.

Allen gets his MX done by competent people who aren't thieves. That was the missing part I couldn't wrap my brain around. The only downside is the 3.5 mil, but Allen and I discussed that too. What's your time worth? How about your life? If you're a little guy like me with respect to net worth, you just have to be a little crafty to make deals that require a jet so you pay pre-tax (and I understand I can't do personal trips, but so what? I'm too busy for that just now anyhow, better than 97% of my flying is business) and impress investors enough to make them cough up.

Fingers crossed, just a few more months...

Alan, rocks.

Craig

Great post...

3.5 million vice 400k for a MU2 and not much of a real time saver or better yet on a 3 hr leg you will save 30 minutes!!! That's a lot of dollars for tour time .. More power to ya though !!!

If you can make it work in business it makes sense. For personal use it makes sense if you have a net worth 10x more than the jet costs. That is about the max ratio I use when figuring how much plane I will buy for personal use.

On a 1,000nm trip the fuel cost is less than a 421
I'm not gonna compare any other leg lengths, assume fuel is the smallest factor in Citation ownership, and ignore this thread.

...which was a significant reason why I ended up buying a Mustang. On a 1,000 trip I run right at 4.00 NM/Gal. Why own a legacy piston twin if you can run a newer jet for similar operating costs? Of course not as fast as a CJ2+, but still cruising at FL410 nevertheless.

See this message for a discussion about CJ2 operating costs - http://www.beechtalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1568541#p1568541

If you fly 300 hours a year or more then operating costs for a CJ2+ will be lower then your 421. Capital costs will be higher. If you fly 100 hours a year then furgetaboutit.

Don't forget to factor the capital cost- which is the difference maker on a $400K vs a 3.5M
Of course having the business right off is another factor

...which was a significant reason why I ended up buying a Mustang. On a 1,000 trip I run right at 4.00 NM/Gal. Why own a legacy piston twin if you can run a newer jet for similar operating costs? Of course not as fast as a CJ2+, but still cruising at FL410 nevertheless.

I don't know where you guys think you're buying an MU2 for 400k, but if you want a good ship in top shape with fresh motors, avionics, paint, and interior, you're at 700-750 all in. You can buy a bird for less, but then you'll add these things and spend more. Allen's jet is nicer than my living room, lol. If you're comparing capex, you need to use 750 to 3.75; figure the jet costs 3 mil more comparing apples to apples, but the MU2 built in 1979 and retrofitted with 2016 avionics is still not nearly advanced as the 2008 CJ2+. The Proline stuff in there is the best avionics suite I've ever seen, it's far and away better than my G600/GTN/Avidyne setup. I'm on an engine program in the MU2, and I would absolutely require TAP on the citation, so part of the opex for both includes catastrophic engine insurance, HOTS, and OH for either.

Craig,

Congrats on getting Stan to buy the A*. I was pretty sure I saw his SX-300 listed and was wondering what he was buying next.

Tim

Lol, I told him exactly that after the flight. He knows the thing inside-out and flys it like a champ.

I don't think I'll get a CJ3. It's the same bird but for the extra legs, and I just can't see spending the extra mil. Is there any reason why the damned thing is worth that much more? What am I missing?

IMHO the CJ2 is the starting point for viable replacements for a fast TP.

Any less Jet than that and you are compromising range, load, runaway.

Surprising to hear you like the pro line suite right off the bat. I found it hard to use. I am sure with enough exposure I would have figured it out.

The Garmin stuff is easier for me.

Interesting, so you would prefer the short MU2 or a KA90 with the 128 engines over a Mustang?

Tim

I would prefer a commander but the short MU-2 is a good airplane.

For a million less dollars than a mustang you can go to more places and arrive within 5 minutes of the mustang.

Not the ramp presence of a jet but a lot more capability.,