Our ‘79 421C has wing extensions/winglets (as noted above), & I’ve been to 27,000 with it. Service ceiling is 30,000. Couldn’t detect a difference in performance, climb or cruise, from the low twenties. I forget exactly, but around 600 fpm. I’m gonna guess, at gross, 400 fpm above 25 or 26,000.

Gary S

I never saw less than 300 fpm above FL230 climbing to FL240/250 in my 414A with RAM winglets and stock 310 HP engines even on ISA + 10 days taking off 300 lbs below gross (7080). On ISA days, I saw at least 500 fpm to FL240/250. My main problem was keeping the cylinder temps below 420F at the POH recommended climb speed above FL200. I didn't have hubcaps or strakes.

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.[/quote]



I agree, I would not look at one that was a non flyer. And I would not buy a 'cheap' one.

With that said, It appears that there are now many inexpensive ones on the market that once were much more expensive just a year or two ago. They also seem to be well maintained. I know that a proper pre-purchase will weed some of these out, but it seems to me that these aircraft are staying on the market due to serious downward price pressure.

Also, the idea of fliping one of these aircraft for financial gain would be a foolish idea for me. A guaranteed loss.

No, I would assume that I would be one of the last owners. It would be essentially given away for scrap value, charity or something of that sort. Maybe done by my estate after I'm gone.

But while I'm here, I might as well enjoy it. Burning avgas has been a pleasure for me in the Baron. And I have enjoyed the maintenance part of it too.

I get a nice, well maintained 421, it should provide at least a decade or two of fun flying when I want a cabin class twin for a longer flight.

I am aware of the possible costs and I can handle it, but there is no reason to be the richest man in the grave. And when you are gone, you can't take it with you.

So is anyone familiar with any of these aircraft.

Do you have any recommendations on any that are for sale.



[/quote]


Buying one that not been flying 50 hours a year minimum requires a lot of nerve, financial fortitude and patience. A friend did the opposite w a 340 and "getting it right" took a long time and lot of money. Huuuuge bills. Eye watering.

Have mine listed with Jerry Temple 1980 421C based in NC. Good airplane!

After all the research on just about every plane possible I finally bought a 421. It’s not a perfect plane by any means but it’s great for my mission. To get payload and range of the 421 I would have to go to a jet and much much higher OpX. I know the 421 won’t be cheap to fly but I am hopeful it won’t eat my lunch. I spent a long time finding the right plane with the right maintenance history and I think I did good. We will see.

Thanks to all on here for the help. It’s been a ton of work and time.

Here are some pics of my new plane N100L
Just need to update audio panel and a few other little things.
Mike

Good looking bird. Love that interior.

Beauty, nice and clean!

Nice clean panel and beautiful interior. Enjoy.

Looks fantastic.

Gorgeous Michael! Love the interior and nice clean panel.

What are you budgeting for an all-in cost increase over your Malibu?

Awesome, what did you sell? Is that a Malibu in your avatar?

I sold my Mirage.

The Mirage was an amazing aircraft. Hard to beat efficiency and comfort. Mine was a mess when I got it so it took a lot to get it right. My last annual was $40k and that was after a $150k annual the year before. Again mine was not well maintained before I got it and I flew it a ton.

I went the opposite way on the 421 and tried to find someone like me that already spent all the Time and money to make it right. I believe I was successful. The previous owner of N100L spent a lot to get the plane right and focused on the details, as would I.

For OpX budget I am just hoping to have under $25k annual and normal maintenance. The fuel, oil change, etc.. will be about double my Mirage. A flight that took 70 gallon in my Mirage will take 110 on the 421. And with double engine cost things will add up fast. I did oil changes every 25 hours, that cost will double.

The rest will come down to luck and previous maintenance. So we will see. The guy I bought it from is a legit guy so I get good. The guy I bought my Mirage from was clueless.

Mike

Ouch. Not complaining about my maintenance. Well.....maybe a little.

To be fair my first annual had some upgrades. The second one had maybe $5k of upgrades. So $35k for just annual stuff. A older plane that’s not been maintained well can be very expensive.

Mike

This is the single most important thing when buying a legacy Cessna twin. People focus on the model- they really should be focusing on the owner and how it’s maintained.

Michael- looks like an unbelievable airplane. I hope I get to see it one day.