I keep coming back to look at the PA46 also. It was really close between a PA46 and the Aerostar when I was shopping back in 2011. Now my mission is closer to the sweet spot of the PA46. Trying to decide between renting for a while longer and buying. Oh well, I can foresee that I will never stay with just one plane, I am going to change a few more times, (last kid is 13 tomorrow, so not much longer).

Tim

1) two engines - duh, but for some people that's a deal breaker
2) speed - aerostar is a 220-260kt cruise airplane, piston PA46 is more 180-220
3) payload - probably more payload flexibility with an aerostar, especially as the later PA46's got heavy
4) hangar - aerostar has substantially tighter wingspan

1) two engines - duh, but for some people that's a deal breaker
2) speed - aerostar is a 220-260kt cruise airplane, piston PA46 is more 180-220
3) payload - probably more payload flexibility with an aerostar, especially as the later PA46's got heavy
4) hangar - aerostar has substantially tighter wingspan

Similarly, I'd want to be in the Aerostar in icing conditions versus the PA46. Power is beneficial in icing situations and twins just have more of it.

The Aerostar will give a better ride in turbulence. Twins are heavier.

Mike C.

I loved the idea of the Aerostar until I got in one. For me the PA-46 has more room for cockpit and cabin. Its really hard to beat the club seating and cabin class door on the PA-46.

Not at all slamming the A* for its performance, its a killer plane. A good buddy has one and loves it, which is why I started to consider it. But he has a smaller family and he is not as tall as I am. If my family was not so large (my 13 year old is 6ft and 21yr old is 6"5") then I would do a A* for sure. So many great things about it.

the PA-46 is much cheaper to operate than the A*. No free lunches.

Mike

Yeah, for that tall you need the high density foam seats which are really thin. They give you an extra inch or two in height, and then the recliner options on the seat backs.
It would work, however the PA-46 is a better fit I think for really tall people because the seats are much closer to the floor giving more headroom and also a longer cabin giving space to stretch the legs.

Tim

Except no recline for the drivers seat in the Aerostar.

Mine did. Not full, but had two or three positions. It was like that when I bought and then sold the plane.

Tim

It really is a tough decision. I sold my Maule last September and was ready to sell the bonanza and jump into a pressurized airplane. I just haven't found a fit that I am comfortable with yet that gives me enough benefits over the bonanza to justify turning my life upside down. The increased expense and time to get through the search, purchase, training and new airplane blues that comes with moving up hasn't comfortable presented itself yet.

I'm back looking at Barons, thinking a 58 would make a really great compromise for us. This has been a great discussion on the PA46, and I really appreciate all the input.

Brent

It really is a tough decision. I sold my Maule last September and was ready to sell the bonanza and jump into a pressurized airplane. I just haven't found a fit that I am comfortable with yet that gives me enough benefits over the bonanza to justify turning my life upside down. The increased expense and time to get through the search, purchase, training and new airplane blues that comes with moving up hasn't comfortable presented itself yet.

I'm back looking at Barons, thinking a 58 would make a really great compromise for us. This has been a great discussion on the PA46, and I really appreciate all the input.

Brent

It is the perfect family airplane, just as long as you're no taller than 5'11" and you remember to get a letter from God promising you that the engine will never quit. I went to an MMOPA meeting about 10 years ago. A speaker asked who in the audience had experienced an in-flight engine failure. A healthy fraction of the attendees raised their hands!

The original Continental design with the four-blade MT prop on it is crazy quiet inside, about 88 dBA in the front and 86 dBA in the back if I recall correctly. These are slightly better numbers than a Pilatus PC-12. The Lyc-powered versions are faster and noisier.

Most mechanics hate these super high-performance piston planes.

Today I climbed/contorted into the left seat of the demo Jetprop at SNF. It was a beautiful aircraft but I had to keep my head at a 45* angle with the seat all the way back. It was a lot smaller than I expected. It makes the A36 feel like a C-17.

I own a PA46 and love it! It's truly a remarkable aircraft with tremendous capability. I'm 6'1" and don't seem to have the same trouble others do getting in an out. It's a very roomy , comfortable and quiet plane, and my wife and teenagers love to travel in it.

Today I climbed/contorted into the left seat of the demo Jetprop at SNF. It was a beautiful aircraft but I had to keep my head at a 45* angle with the seat all the way back. It was a lot smaller than I expected. It makes the A36 feel like a C-17.