I'm not buying a plane that is slower and shorter range than I have now.


Whoever said that is a boring person of mundane aspiration.

Once you start with that premise, I logically end up flying on the airlines.

If I can't reach my goal of non stop westbound, then I'll back off to non stop eastbound and one stop westbound.

It doesn't take very many west coast trips to be 20% of my miles. 2 round trips per year would do it on a 100 hour MU2 year.

Mike C.

Honestly, I would have bought a 441 from the start, but it was 3 to 4 times the price at the time I bought the MU2 (2008).

Now it is under double, maybe getting closer to 1.5 times, so the value proposition is improving. The 441 sure looks good when you compare operating costs against a Citation.

Mike C.

Honestly, I would have bought a 441 from the start, but it was 3 to 4 times the price at the time I bought the MU2 (2008).

Now it is under double, maybe getting closer to 1.5 times, so the value proposition is improving. The 441 sure looks good when you compare operating costs against a Citation.

Mike C.

Mike, you're an engineer. The cheapest way out of this problem is to just design and STC an aux fuel tank for the MU-2. Prob cost you $100K to do - a lot cheaper than a 441. And then you could sell it to all the other owners.

$100k sounds a little light for a certification and STC process. I’m guessing you’d have that much tied up in just the mod. Then the years of testing and approval process to get it certified, all the while operating the airplane in the experimental research and development category.

Be interesting to hear what was involved in the Centex fuel tank mods, maybe they’ll chime in!

Speaking of, won't a KingAir 200 with the Centex tanks do this mission?

Listings on controller.com:

Marquise listed for $850K
Marquise listed for $835K
Marquise listed for $695K
-10 P model listed for $650K
-10 N model listed for $840K
K model (-6) with ADS-B, G600 listed for $385K (engines runout)
Solitaire listed for $700K
Solitaire listed for $675K
Solitaire listed for $525K

Those seem like pretty robust prices, even near $400K for a runout -6 K model. Granted they are asking prices, but still, pretty good.

If you compare a 441 to the Marquise, which seems reasonably comparable, the 441 multiple has changed quite a lot. Back in 2008 when I bought my MU2, a good Marquise was $400-500K, 441 was $1.5M. Now Marquise is $700-800K, 441 is $900-1200K.

The SFAR and safety record helped the MU2, the SID hurt the 441. I also think a lot of 441 drivers are moving upwards to Citations.

What is missing in the above list is a -10 3 blade (K or M) airplane. Those do not stay around long and often get sold off market. My list of "call me first if you sell" is about 10 people long as a -10 M model is a particular configuration with lots of benefits.

Mike C.

Won't work.

Not enough useful load to carry the fuel.

No where to put the fuel near the CG.

To make my plane do the trip non stop would take 1500 lbs more fuel. Ain't no way I can find a place to do that and I'd be 300 lbs over gross with no cabin load. The 441 wins due to FL350 enabling low fuel flow, slightly faster, and 730 lbs more fuel.

Mike C.

I have not run the numbers, but I doubt it based on being PT6, lacking FL350, being slower, lacking useful load when

Lacking FL350 cruise
Lacking useful load when tanks used
Lacking speed
Having extra fuel burn from PT6.

I'm sure the 441 still wins due to much higher efficiency. The range profile says, at max power cruise, range of 2150 nm doing 306 KTAS at FL350 in still air, with a MGTOW takeoff (about 700-900 lbs cabin load).

Mike C.

That’s what I was thinking; Mits with drop tanks.

No one ever talks much about he the Garrett powered B100's. What's the issue with these planes? Seems like a good pairing from surface view.

They are coveted by a particular sect of airplane owners. King Air cabin with TPE331 economics.

But they are a bit of a mixed religion, kind of like serving kosher to a baptist.

Mike C.

Baptists aren’t concerned about Garrett’s, Kosher or King Airs, just the next pot luck dinner. Gluttony isn’t a sin is it?

I disagree with your observation about the Mustang. My passengers never wear headsets and have never asked for them. I've had the sound pressure measured in cruise flight, and it's only 75dB for all six seats. Hardly a level that warrants headsets.