BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Jun 2012, 19:06

Username Protected wrote:

Those of you considering a 421 might consider renting one from DayStar in Tampa/St Pete (KPIE). I got a couple hours in it and loved it. It's not cheap compared to an A36, but renting it is fairly reasonable, especially compared to buying an airplane you don't want.

My prediction: you'll love it, and the "boss" will really love it.

I have no affiliation,other than satisfied customer, and some moan that they're running something like a 134.5 op, but for my needs, it was clear that I was legit part 91 rental.

http://www.daystarair.net/pilot.html

Yeah, it's pretty clear from their website that they are at least aiming at 134.5...

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Jun 2012, 19:18

Username Protected wrote:

Yeah, it's pretty clear from their website that they are at least aiming at 134.5...

Yea the 421 is the PERFECT plane for a Discovery Flight. Flight training, too, would be just fine on those engines.

There is/was a guy in KC who didn't even try to pass it off as dual only. He "leased" an E90 with himself as the only pilot. He advertised in the paper and was in the same city as a FSDO. :bang:

Kinda reminds me of that mx thread and Bill Hindi position that it's hard for legit, rule-following businesses to compete.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Jun 2012, 20:43

Username Protected wrote:

Those of you considering a 421 might consider renting one from DayStar in Tampa/St Pete (KPIE). I got a couple hours in it and loved it. It's not cheap compared to an A36, but renting it is fairly reasonable, especially compared to buying an airplane you don't want.

My prediction: you'll love it, and the "boss" will really love it.

I have no affiliation,other than satisfied customer, and some moan that they're running something like a 134.5 op, but for my needs, it was clear that I was legit part 91 rental.

http://www.daystarair.net/pilot.html

Looks and smells like a 134.5 op. They have no mention of the rental costs on their website.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Jun 2012, 22:21

I flew with them too. You can call them and get the rental rates...

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Jun 2012, 22:56

. . . "looks and smells like a 134.5 op." ?

What's a 134.5 op?

Many many years ago flew for a 135 company in Reno that had 3 AC 690s and one 421, not even an A, B or C, a '68 if I remember correctly.

Very nice flying, but actually cost more to rent than the 690s.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Jun 2012, 23:59

Username Protected wrote:

. . . "looks and smells like a 134.5 op." ?

What's a 134.5 op?

If it looks like a duck...etc, etc, etc.

134.5 rounds up to 135. So a 134.5 (read "one thirty-four and a half") op really is trying not to be 135 and play 91. Wet leasing comes to mind.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Jun 2012, 03:04

About 15 years ago, I worked for a 135 operator that had a 421C, 13-404's, 4-402's and a 310. The 404's had the same engine and each flew around 600 hours per year. We had very few problems with the engines, and had TBO extensions for 300 hours (at the best of my memory). Almost every engine hit TBO, and most the extended TBO. We did have a few failures, but they were traceable to either the particular crew, or Jet-A "contamination."

We had a Maintenance Manager that knew engines inside and out. He gave every new pilot a couple hour class on how to operate the engine, in addition to the normal required training. I was the Director of Training, and while we tried to use the 402's for training, a fair amount was done in the 404's. Most, if not all engines came from G&N Aviation...

A well maintained, well operated engine would no worry me with that airframe, especially if I operated it from near the beginning of it's life. If I could somewhat justify the cost, a 421C would be near the top of my personal dream list.

Jason

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Jun 2012, 18:05

I am in Homer AK in the middle of a 14 day trip through AK and Canada. I have been in and over significant weather in comfort with lots of cabin space plus a big load. A 421C is a great traveling machine if you can afford the 600+ dollar per hour cost. This trip in my Baron would been marginal with a big pucker factor.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Jun 2012, 14:33

Username Protected wrote:

I am in Homer AK in the middle of a 14 day trip through AK and Canada. I have been in and over significant weather in comfort with lots of cabin space plus a big load. A 421C is a great traveling machine if you can afford the 600+ dollar per hour cost. This trip in my Baron would been marginal with a big pucker factor.

What pucker factor?

Tim

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Jun 2012, 21:24

Username Protected wrote:

I am in Homer AK in the middle of a 14 day trip through AK and Canada. I have been in and over significant weather in comfort with lots of cabin space plus a big load. A 421C is a great traveling machine if you can afford the 600+ dollar per hour cost. This trip in my Baron would been marginal with a big pucker factor.

What pucker factor?

Tim

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Jun 2012, 21:24

Username Protected wrote:

I am in Homer AK in the middle of a 14 day trip through AK and Canada. I have been in and over significant weather in comfort with lots of cabin space plus a big load. A 421C is a great traveling machine if you can afford the 600+ dollar per hour cost. This trip in my Baron would been marginal with a big pucker factor.

What pucker factor?

Tim

Talk to me about the 421C