Been thinking lately about a move from my Baron B55 to a cabin class airplane . Want to be able to travel non stop from FXE to our Ohio home airport 10G approx 870NM. Having owned C 421 and Pilatus PC 12 thinking Conquest 1 would be a logical move and within a prescribed budget.

I know very little about the airplane maintenance and operating costs. Hoping a few on here can point me in the right direction to acquiring information. Are there any recommended owner groups or talk sites that any of you have used ?

Probably nothing is as good as BT and CSO Beech for information but here's wishing.
Thank you
Tom Shelton

I think you are the first pilot I've heard of that had a PC12 and wants to move to a twin.

Twin-engine safety, don'tcha know?

Thread about 425 SIDS here - https://www.beechtalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1519089#p1519089

I suggest you use Advanced Search from the Serach menu bar above and select the Brand-X forum and search on terms like "Cessna + Conquest" or "Conquest 425" and you will find other threads on the Conquest.

I operated 425-0099 for 5 years and around 800 hours. I think you will find the maintenance costs are less then your 421 was provided you buy wisely. The stock 425 does 250 kts @ FL250 on about 60 GPH of Jet-A.

Tom, would be interested in understanding what drove you from the PC12.

Conquests are good birds for the money it seems. I really like the 441 and should have looked at them a lot more closely, especially since they seem to have very impressive range.

Interestingly enough, just looked at the Conquests II on the market and the first one wants to trade up to a PC12

http://www.controller.com/listings/airc ... onquest-ii

Seems if OP wants long range for his mission, a Conquest II with TPE331 is preferable over the I. They have amazing range and RSVM capability.

Some people enjoy flying so much they just want to go slower :-)

Some people enjoy flying so much they just want to go slower :-)

Jason would probably trade his PC 12 for a Piston twin for safety BUT he is afraid the guys on BT would make fun of him.

Tom
Why not an eclipse?

it will do that trip against a 80 knot headwind in 3:27

The 421 airframe is hard to beat.

Great cabin with lots of external cargo space.

Yup, new Canada will have some really nice range too. I think Eclipse is/will make a comeback. It's got a lot that it offers if the price point stays within reason.

Unfortunately the Turbine twin is almost dead too.........There is a reason that the Denali is coming to market..........economics.........and safety..........

John Deakin called me the other day and said he was totally impressed with the single engine turbine safety record, said it was just way better than the old radials

Hey guys
Had the PC12 when I owned the businesses and had the tax advantages associated with same . Sold the PC12 about 2 years after the business sale. Want to buy an airplane at or below the 1 mil price level. The baron is too tight for long flights for wife and me but a most enjoyable airplane to fly .
Prices for a great 421 in the $450 - 500k range. For a couple hundred grand more a decent 425 can be had. A great 425 in the $ 950 range.Still have kids in college and other things taking cash which would preclude spending more than mentioned at this time .
After owning PC12 for 10 years wife spoiled , need I say more ?

I did fly the Eclipse.. really neat airplane . Very automated auto throttles etc. My friend Chad Leeward who sold me the PC12 now represents Eclipse. Over my budget however.