With where the Cheyenne market has been lately I can't fathom buying a large cabin pressurized piston. Cheyenne will burn a little more $ per mile (but not much when lower cost for fuel and higher speed are factored in), everything else similar and far more reliability.

I have 1700 hours on a set of new 421C engines . In 13 years I have never had an AOG or been stuck anywhere. All in cost 650 an hour.

If you by a junk 421C or a junk 425 you will empty your wallet.

https://www.controller.com/listings/air ... merlin-iib

Here is your plane.

MFR maintenance program has no calendar items. TPE efficiency.

That is for sure a lot of airplane for the money. If you had someone with experience maintaining it nearby and a big enough hangar it would be hard to beat. Bargain them down to $325K and you have would a flying limousine for a little more than half what you'd pay for a cherry 421C. If you budgeted $40K in maintenance annually I think you'd be pleasantly surprised.

Many thanks to you guys

I’m leaning more towards the 421 after reading several comments.

Hanger space is expensive. I actually need two because I split my time between two homes. So yes that’s a concern

When traveling FBOs charge significantly more for TP vs Piston in fees and whatnot. Jet vs 100 LL prices? I haven’t seen a big difference Maybe a dollar. I know there are some fuel purchase programs do they really make a difference?

I came in to BCT today and plan on staying a week. Hanger was $150 night for the Baron. Im sure it’s double for a TP. That just takes all fun out of traveling.

I’m planning on flying 100 to 125 hrs a year. The cost of Phase checks vs Annuals maybe a concern when flying only a modest number of hours.

Stay tuned

AB

Makes sense. But someone still needs to buy that Merlin...

The fuel cost spread is larger IMO than you think. A TPE powered aicraft will be very close to the same fuel cost as a C421. Where I fly the TPE is cheaper fuel cost.

Quite the proce spread on Merlins. Where does one go to learn up on the breed?

What makes the older ones so cheap?

Try searching my posts for IIB

More later today

You hit the nail on the head. A year ago, we replaced a corporate 421C with a 441. Our fuel costs on most flights over an hour went down. We found that on the longer flights we would make a stop for physiological needs with the 421C, where we go non-stop in the 441. Saving that climb (especially into the flight levels) saves a ton of fuel cost.

I did two round-robin three leg charity trips a couple months ago, one in the 441, the same a week later in my Aerostar. Fuel cost was $30 more in the 441... It was a much easier trip in the 441!

Jason

Fuel is the cheapest part of the overall cost. Flying 100 hours a year average and most trips less than 500nm the 421C is a better choice.

Looks like it needs two (2) Hot Section *Inspections* in 350 hours, or find to replacement engines. That's a couple hundy...

Merlin insurance is not as easy or inexpensive at C400 series (the Honda Accord of the fleet).

Tj

I wouldn't say that. It's actually the #2 cost behind maintenance in my case. I think the most accurate way to put it is that when switching to a turboprop, especially a TPE airplane, your overall fuel bill WILL NOT increase given the same amount of miles traveled. If your trips are in the 500nm range then you will most likely see a fuel savings even in a PT6 airplane depending on your local fuel prices and the spread between jetA and 100LL. The only time I see my fuel cost increase compared to my old airplane (twin commander 500B) is on very short trips such as 120nm or so.

Isn't the Honda Accord the most stolen car?

True you'll pay more for hangar on the road than a Baron, but probably not much if any more than a 421. A $1.00 per gallon fuel difference is significant, especially when you also factor in the speed difference - per mile the gap closes dramatically. I have thirsty PT-6's, my block burn is 50% higher than my TIO-540's, but on average I am paying 25% less for fuel (you MUST get knowledgable of fuel contracts - you rarely pay retail), and I am traveling about 10% faster overall. Very small difference when it all shakes out.