Yup, another public opinion comparison request. My wife and I are both pro-pilots (for the last 11 years). We want to purchase our first airplane and for argument’s sake our budget allows for a $250-$350AMU bird (but we don’t want to spend that if we don’t need to). Newer isn’t better but I’d prefer something built after 1985.

Our mission, the two of us, 1 newborn, and probably another kid in the next couple years. Flights between 400-600NM with the occasional 800-1000NM trip. We’re on both coasts, And our mission is Las Vegas to SOCAL, Minden, Seattle, Santa Fe, and the Mid-Atlantic/S.C./New England (we move every few years). Realistically we’d stop and keep legs around 2-3 hours unless it’s just me then it’s the fuel capacity which limits airtime. We need a time machine so we can travel on weekends without logging 8-12 hours in the car. We have 2 dogs that are probably out of the equation as they total 150 lbs and take up lots of room.

Here’s my struggle...

A36 has the big doors, the cubic feet, and for the budget it covers most A36s on the market. The 210 offers 2 doors for loading, useful load, and CG options. Budget covers everything available and ability to throw a new WS 550TN into it. The Cirrus is newer, I like fiki as a “oh %#$@” option along with a chute though I realize it’s limitations. The right Cirrus is at the top of our budget.

My main concern and tangible comparison is cargo. Can a SR-22 fit skis or golf clubs with the rear seats occupied? How about a 210? Those with small kids, it seems like a decade until they put on enough weight to be significant UL contributors (car seats and boosters probably add up).

If you have experience flying with small kids/infants along with camping equipment, Ski gear, golf sticks, or other considerations I’d love to hear your stories and see how you packed out your birds. For conversations sake, twins are out for now.

Thanks a ton, if any BTalkers at KVGT want a free coffee so I can pick your brain or get your first hand perspective of your aircraft I’m nearby.

Cheers!

Lawson

About a dozen 210’s were built after 1985.

If you go back to 1980 there are many more options (bonanza as well)

Great point, age isn’t a primary concern.

You will be baggage limited in the Cirrus compared to the other two options. Can’t see anyway you would get skis in an SR22 with passengers, and it may even be difficult with the back seats folded down.

If you want to travel.... A36
No matter how you slice it, A36 is THE Traveling machine.
With that budget, you can get into a really nice one, with some ice protection.
Turbo Norm is a must, with Tip Tanks.
Specially with kids, the A36 makes more sense. Tons of stuff to bring.

I keep hearing guys recommend tips. Is that a function of CG changes, added range, or both? There’s a handful of really nice A36s on the market right now.

At the price range you suggest, STRONGLY suggest a buyers agent. Neal Schwartz and Randy Africano are highly regarded A36 gurus. They will save you their fees easily. Lot of highly granular knowledge knowing pros and pitfalls of individual airframes.

Your main concern is cargo? Then get an A36.
Kids? A36. Club seating is great - I’ve flown my family, my buddy’s, and extended family (different trips) and they almost always go one parent in the back with kids playing or watching something together back there. They think the writing table is cool, and play cards on it. If they’re car-seaters, it’s easy to install them and load the kids in the back.
I had a two-door Cessna and loading kids and the dog (good size Golden) was a pain. Cargo doors rule.
Tip tanks give you options and range, plus a gross weight increase (varies by model, I believe).
Get in touch with Neal S. Latitude Aviation ad on right —->
Hopefully there’s a BT mentor near you who will be as nice as to you as Kevin was to me and will take you for a ride and tell you all about the A36.
Good Luck!

If you are seriously considering travelling with kids, look at a P210 or a Malibu. Pressurization is a game changer. Back when my 4 kids were young we flew all over the US in a P210. It held all six of us and stuff for a week, no problem. No oxygen to mess with so flying in the mid to high teens eastbound was wonderful and fast. P210s and Malibus can be equipped for FIKI, and both can have air conditioning, another plus if you are going to spend any time in the south. I have over 3200 P210 hours, and it has been a wonderful plane, likely the most cost effective pressurized plane available. It will cost more than a non-pressurized plane, but the comfort is well worth it in my opinion. 180KTAS on 14.5gph LOP in the mid to high teens ain't bad either. Only one door, but once everyone is in it isn't an issue. The baggage compartment is outside the pressure vessel, but holds 200 pounds and is big enough for quite a few full size duffel bags. As I said, we did this for years and it worked just fine.

FWIW, I used to fly four or five people with skis (not everybody had them), from Wichita to Aspen in T210M and N's. The planes were not loaded with FIKI, radar, AC etc., otherwise there would have been useful load problems.
OP did not say where the skiing might be. In the Rockies, the turbo ranges from nice to have to essential.

Camping? Skiing? P210 or Vitatoe 210. Not sure if the P will fit skis.

Have you considered a long-body Mooney? There is a ski tube STC out there, but I’m not sure if it plays nicely with the onboard oxygen system. Plane is faster than the others and spacious enough for your next five-10 years, except the dogs.

Most recent ones have FIKI and O2, but I agree with the above recommendation of a pressurized plane being more satisfactory with small kids if you need to top terrain or WX frequently.

You can get a ski tube for a P210, snowboards are easy. The other option is put skis on the floor between the seats and under the rear bench seat if they aren't really long skis. If you are looking at a lot of mountain flying, I second the turbocharging comments made above, especially in the summer.

Although if the mission is 2 adults + small children (ie waaaay under gross)... an NA will be perfectly adequate

I agree with Jeff concerning the T or P210. This is Beechtalk, so our opinions are in the minority.

I went through this decision when I got rid of my '79 T210 (Flint tip tanks, TKS) because I needed better avionics, new interior, and major OH.

My considerations for a traveling aircraft were TN-A36, Aerostar, Vitatoe P- or WS TN210. I didn't want a new plastic plane due to space and low UL. I went with an N-model T210 and upgrade to the WS Turbonormalizer (again, tips and FIKI TKS). I ruled out the Aerostar because of maintenance considerations, and P210 because sometimes I like to open the windows and cruise low down at 100 knots, and go into smaller airports.

The 210's have better CG and UL than A36. The high wing is nice loading in the rain, and no A/C is needed in hot weather, cabin is cool on the ground. Now with the WS TN or Vitatoe they are 185-195 Kn cruisers LOP. It handles ice really well. UL just under 1500#. I just installed an AlphaSystems AOA and full-flap stall is 47 Kn at light weights due to tip tanks.

I know it isn't Bonanza quality and flying character but I love this airplane as a traveling hauler. It used to be that the 210's were less expensive than the Beech but with Vitatoe and WS conversions the valuations have climbed quite a bit.