Ha.....

Thanks for the remark Florian.

He actually feels he might be too busy, but I'm sure he will be there if I get another bird.



I'm more worried about the bill he will send me after he gets back from Hawaii!!!

.

Do a flightaware biopsy. Plane that has been flying frequently and is for sale - good possibility. Plane that has sat for years ... walk away

Most people ballpark a 421 as a $750/hr aircraft to operate. So let's say $75k/year for 100 hours/year. But let's assume you are special and can run it for $421/hr. that's still $200k over 5 years. If you assume between insurance, taxes, depreciation, cost of capital, etc that hull value is about 10%/year annual cost, the difference between a $100K 421 and a $200K 421 is $10k/yr. There's just not much saving to be had in a cheap one unless you can buy, get lucky, and flip it in 9-18 months before anything bad happens.

All that having been said, you can find nice B models. You can find well-maintained planes that aren't fancy ... but they need to have been flown and maintained. You need to see an annual every year, a lot of hours flown and a lot of log entries between annuals.

Do a flightaware biopsy. Plane that has been flying frequently and is for sale - good possibility. Plane that has sat for years ... walk away

Most people ballpark a 421 as a $750/hr aircraft to operate. So let's say $75k/year for 100 years. But let's assume you are special and can run it for $421/hr. that's still $200k over 5 years. If you assume between insurance, taxes, depreciation, cost of capital, etc that hull value is about 10%/year annual cost, the difference between a $100K 421 and a $200K 421 is $10k/yr. There's just not much saving to be had in a cheap one unless you can buy, get lucky, and flip it in 9-18 months before anything bad happens.

All that having been said, you can find nice B models. You can find well-maintained planes that aren't fancy ... but they need to have been flown and maintained. You need to see an annual every year, a lot of hours flown and a lot of log entries between annuals.

Don if you can accept this with the Baron you will be ok with the 421.

I think they are the best piston twin available but I only ever owned a 340A. I’ve had several mates that have owned 421C, 414A and 340As and all move over to other planes such as A36s, TBMs and CJs due to the maintenance costs.

I loved my 340A but I sure don’t miss the costs of running it. My CJ is so much more consistent and it never breaks.

Andrew

Simple:

All us pilots drooling over owning a 421 someday came to BT to learn all we could before pulling the trigger.

Then we started reading MC's posts...how you could fly the MU2 for close to the cost of a 421.

The doubts started.

Since BT encompasses all the smartest and brightest, the 421 market completely stalled as buyers delayed their purchases.

Result: 421 prices will continue to fall with every MU2 post from Mike. Conversely, MU2 prices are increasing with every post.

Conclusion: Wait until the day before MC buys his citation to buy your 421 (prices will be at their absolute lowest). For the MU2 owners, it will be the time to sell. Prices will have peaked and starting a rapid descent as we learn you can fly a jet for less than a MU2 in the coming days.

Shannon-

You have discovered the key to the universe and our future. Thank you SO MUCH!

Shannon...you forgot the most important economic reaction! Citation proces will sky rocket.

Only reason I brought one a couple of years ago.

Get in now before the tsunami


Andrew

Hello Charles





Do a flightaware biopsy. Plane that has been flying frequently and is for sale - good possibility. Plane that has sat for years ... walk away

Most people ballpark a 421 as a $750/hr aircraft to operate. So let's say $75k/year for 100 years. But let's assume you are special and can run it for $421/hr. that's still $200k over 5 years. If you assume between insurance, taxes, depreciation, cost of capital, etc that hull value is about 10%/year annual cost, the difference between a $100K 421 and a $200K 421 is $10k/yr. There's just not much saving to be had in a cheap one unless you can buy, get lucky, and flip it in 9-18 months before anything bad happens.

All that having been said, you can find nice B models. You can find well-maintained planes that aren't fancy ... but they need to have been flown and maintained. You need to see an annual every year, a lot of hours flown and a lot of log entries between annuals.

I've had several twin Cessnas. If you want a piston twin, the 421 is the most enjoyable plane you can get. As long as you stay with a 1973 or later 421, you'll be happy. Generally, a 421 is not any more expensive than any other turbocharged piston twin. If you find a well maintained plane, with good glass, your maintenance will be minimal. My annuals averaged around $8-10k.

I must add, that my MU2 has been worth the upgrade. It does cost 25-30% more in scheduled maintenance, with a much higher reliability. Then again, I fly in the mid 20s at 300ktas

lower priced 421B for sale on TAP today

N92AM - '72 short body. At TBO No history on FA. $75K Pass
N5371J - 75 FIKI (first year avail, desirable) WAAS/STEC. Good cosmetics, mid-time engines. Active on FA. $110K. Looks like a very good potential
N1944J - high time engines, nothing on FA. Pass
N35FS - decent older panel with WAAS, hard to support autopilot, mid-time engines. Some activity on FA. has potential $169
N421WD - see picture of tip tank to left. interesting story to plane; I flew it for a year. Call with questions, decent option for the right price.
N421RH - 515 hours since OH in 2004. Nothing on FA. Original cosmetics. Old AP. Meh.

What changed in 1973?

What changed in 1973?

What changed in 1973?

Good morning BT 421 flyers,

Hello Sanford.




Thanks for the response.

I agree with your sentiment. I have maybe 10 hrs in a 421 many years ago. I remember it was smooth, comfortable, and quiet!!!

And for the prices that we see today on many 421B models and some early 421C models, a possible great deal. Not 'cheap' airframes, but nice ones that have languished on the market for quite some time now and have become much less expensive.

Hello Charles,

Thanks for the PM.

I may try to contact you.





lower priced 421B for sale on TAP today

N92AM - '72 short body. At TBO No history on FA. $75K Pass
N5371J - 75 FIKI (first year avail, desirable) WAAS/STEC. Good cosmetics, mid-time engines. Active on FA. $110K. Looks like a very good potential
N1944J - high time engines, nothing on FA. Pass
N35FS - decent older panel with WAAS, hard to support autopilot, mid-time engines. Some activity on FA. has potential $169
N421WD - see picture of tip tank to left. interesting story to plane; I flew it for a year. Call with questions, decent option for the right price.
N421RH - 515 hours since OH in 2004. Nothing on FA. Original cosmetics. Old AP. Meh.