Ok, I can live with a 215-220 kt TAS and it looks really roomy, but momma has a real hard time with the bumps through the build-ups on the way down to pattern altitude. I don't think its much at all, but her knuckles get white for no rational reason.

How does the 421 series handle the thermals and build ups down low? This handling factor is HUGE on her list.

Camping out @ FL210


R STOL would be a big plus for me too...

Yea my experience is its not quite as good as I'd hoped it would be. Without looking at the wing loading numbers and just going by "feel" I'd put it on par with the Mooney or Cirrus...definitely not 737 ride quality, but much better than the 206. On the other hand, my wife comments on the "big airplane feel" which definitely helps her. Ours has winglets which extends the wing by 3' or so in the 421, huge advantage in se performance but not so much in ride quality.

I have seen a few B models out there. If took a hard look at one of them, are there any problems with them. Besides the wing and fuel system, are there other differences with the B Model.

C has a better gear system as well (hydraulic with N2 emergency blow-down).

I find the more the family flies the more comfortable they become in the environment.

The B model is the ride champion. The tip of the tanks are like a counterweight system to absorb bumps.

I think the system complexity of the B is overblown. Its the same that a 310 or 340 or 414 has. C model is better; b is fine. Will be harder to find an updated, frequently used B model though.

Yeah they are hard to find!!! I lucked out by finding a great 421B with recent engines, G600, 248 gal fuel, KFC300 autopilot, Elec air... I've flown it 160hrs since May and it has not AOG me yet! I will say that Between the folks at DFW Aero Mechanix and S&S Aviation that I have gotten all the little bugs worked out. Those of you that know me know that I maybe a little extreme in maintenance ... AKA lets replace all 6 fuel pumps with new ones and lets re-bush the entire landing gear and lets replace all the pressurization ducting.....oh the list goes on and on...Worth every penny to make me feel great....

oh and now I'm turbo prop shopping....only reason is that when you're flying 30 plus hours a month a TP makes sense from a downtown stand point for routine Maintenance

This is probably optimistic. I would say most 421s probably cruise in the 195-200 range. I have a friend with a 421B and he would see about 185 ktas. My 340 was an honest 200 ktas cruise.

This is probably optimistic. I would say most 421s probably cruise in the 195-200 range. I have a friend with a 421B and he would see about 185 ktas. My 340 was an honest 200 ktas cruise.

I too was looking for a pressurized twin, and like you it looks like cessna offered the only option unless you go turbin. I think the 340 will be too small unless you plan on trading in a few years.
I believe the later model 421 and the 414a offer the best utility, mainly because of the longer nose and the longer wing on the 414a. All things being equal buy the best maintained, best equipped plane you can buy for the money. There are a lot of mods which make a big difference in safety and utility, I would look for one of these.
I was fortunate to find a highly modified 414a so I went that direction. My plane has Robertson stoll kit, strakes, spoilers, Ram engines, bigger inter coolers and other upgrades which I think makes a very safe and useful plane.
I would try to buy with these already installed if possible. Get a good one and you will love it. As always get a good prebuy from someone who knows these planes, as there are some gotchas that are very expensive.
Good luck
Rawl

T[youtube]https://youtu.be/7bgj3d5vCIk[/youtube]
Watch in HD
This one of my fav approach to landings in the 421

Nice, my friend's 421B wouldn't go near that fast. Even in the high teens.

Thread drift. Where's your which turboprop thread? I'm sure many would like to help you spend your money

This is probably optimistic. I would say most 421s probably cruise in the 195-200 range. I have a friend with a 421B and he would see about 185 ktas. My 340 was an honest 200 ktas cruise.