A lot more moving parts than a standard wing. They also remove a rib which could weaken the wing.

Flaps and drooping flaperons.

The key to the Rstol is to keep the flaps upper limit about an inch from the stop. If they are set to fully retract, they will bind up and stuff breaks.

Growing up, we had a 421B with R/Stol. I was not the pilot (and it was sold 28 years ago). I do know that we flew in and out of our 2,600 foot grass strip regularly with full passengers. My Dad purchased the 421B from a friend of his who installed the R/Stol. His friend said that the R/Stol people demonstrated a single engine take in the 421 as part of their sales pitch.

I think Dad paid $135k airplane in the early '80s. It is interesting that 421B's are still trading in that price range.

Dad really liked the R/Stol on the 421B. I did not like it on a C-185 that I owned part of. The droop ailerons were ineffective in a cross wind.

Looking for input:


I've been studying and educating the 421 market for the past 4 months for a 421 purchase but the right plane has not come along. I'm about frustrated.. I don't want to tie up 400k but I also don't want to spend a lesser amount buying junk with no value. Whatever I find it must have value in the event I need to sell in 6 months or 3 years.. Loosing $50k is not an option and I'd rather spend more then less to attain value.

In my evaluation of planes: 1980-1982 6000TT, 1 mid time engine and 1 engine at 1300 can be bought between 300-350k
Another option is 1976 421C very nice, less capital, not FIKI but has boots and alcohol windshield. $200k same engine specs..

Buying no plane is an option too-- I can fly the airlines free as stand by...


I fly for personal only, no business write off, 65 hrs annually.

It not that I could not afford the 500k plane but there has to be a limit for my fun travels and make sense..

What would you do??

Buy a '76-'79 C model. Those resell well. Call the big twin cessna shops and see if they know of anything off the market. Between the FAA database and FA you can identify planes which are being flown - start cold calling owners.


FIKI is a hard call. You probably have a bigger resale market for FIKI but the heated windshield is a $25K bill waiting to happen.

I would not touch a Non-FIKI 421.

What you are experiencing is the TRUE market. How often do we undervalue good airplanes on BT?

Trying to find a pressurized piston-twin ready to go...turn key....is like finding a Unicorn. The beauty of that is they are more liquid than any other, even at the highest price. A full-glass 421C with great cosmetics, in turn-key condition, sells quick. This is especially true for trailing link airplanes.

Best,

Couple of things here:

- are you sure the 76 is a C model? Pretty sure all C's have heated windshields and are FIKI capable.

- 65 hours a year for all personal flights is really tough to make the numbers work on a 421. They are expensive airplane to own and are meant to fly...

- like Charles said, look at the straight leg C models. Best bang for the buck and easier re sale. $300 is about the price for a good one, but the asking prices can range up to $500 with glass, interiors, etc.

Robert

I've located some good planes, contacted the shops and hired TAS the Twin Cessna expert for a pre buy so I have a plan. The 76-79 is the straight leg 421 80- starts the trailing link gear.
Some of the 76 model aren't FIKI because of the Alcohol windshield. I agree and had the thought process of why go with the heated electric windshield and have a 35k bill waiting to break, just go with the Alcohol windshield- sounds good but what about when I go to sell? Will others shy away?

I found a super clean 76 421C straight leg, Garmin glass panel, 600,1300 engine 6500TT and fresh annual for 200K.. I just can't pull the trigger.

If everything else is totally cherry, I could accept the windshield. Just understand it will be tougher to sell.

If loosing $50K is not an option then you're in the wrong game. If you need to sell, you need to sell. Let's say a $100K AD pops up (not likely, but also not impossible with what would be a $2 million twin today). There goes $125K. Even with nothing else happening, you will lose $50K if you sell down the line. $25K to the broker on a half a million plane. Probably another $25K discount to get rid of it quickly.

This is just a recipe for disaster/disappointment. If you can't afford to lose $50K you can't afford a pressurized twin. Just my .02 YMMV.

Tom-- I'm not looking for your 2 cents on what I can afford with your little knowledge of my financial status. It's not weather I can afford it or not-- It's that I choose not to and is why I can afford to loose $50k many times over... Now back to topic...

Bill- An AD is an aircraft compliance issue that all 421s need to comply with and non-compliance would just de-value the plane further or make it un safe--- Your point has nothing to do with the proper path in an airplane purchase.. Back to point..

Tim take a deep breath here bro. Toms not saying anything about what your bank account can afford. What he's saying is if you can't stomach or don't want to risk that $50K then a pressurized twin cessna is not a good fit. Thats all, no offense towards your financial stability.

All C models are FIKI eligible when properly equipped, but FIKI was an option.

A glass heated windshield was an option. It was required as part of the FIKI package.

An alcohol windshield was an option, but not FIKI.

Mike C.