Had the opportunity to fly bwtween the home drome (KSAW ) and White Plains (KHPN) in the last couple months in three different aircraft: 1) Cessna Citaiton II (C550), 2) Cessna Citation Mustang (C510) and a Cessna 310P with IO520's Colemill Conversion.

For your consideration:

KSAW-KHPN
Flight Time Gallons Price/Gal Fuel Cost NM Fuel$/NM
C550 2.10 379 $3.69 $1,399 672 $2.08
C510 2.12 211 $3.69 $779 672 $1.16
C310 3.85 130 $7.54 $980 672 $1.46

$7.54/gallon for 100LL really skews the comparison. At more reasonable prices, the results would be very different.

Although 100LL at $5.99 matches the mustang in cost/nm.

Now ramp fees at HPN ... that might be an issue for a jet.

Thanks for posting. Real world numbers help. Of course, different Cap X on the II v. the Mustang and on the II, one doesn't have to be on an engine program. Did you lease those planes? Lease cost would be appropriate in that case. I think our II was $1,000 per hour but that was a couple years ago.

Which direction were you going? Assume flying east. Interesting the 501 has a similar profile to the 550 for that distance. Maybe a little less fuel.

Couple of big picture take aways...the C510 and the C550 were essentially the ame time but the C550 burned 80% more fuel.

The fuel burn given the price difference between Jet A "on program fuel" vs 100LL for which there are no programs can makes the 510 and the 310 very comparable but you get there in 55% the time.

I am paying basically $1000/hr for the jets on a lease.

These were all east bound.

Heck: If your leasing a Mustang for the same price as the Citation, it sure shows the Mustang makes more sense. Don't know what a 310 would lease for to complete the comparison.

Of course, seat miles can make more sense when carrying a bunch of folks in a larger plane. We had up to seven pacs in the II which the Mustang couldn't do. Of course, we seldom carried that many and if we did, several would be kids.

The takeaway for me was the difference in fuel C510 v C550. Wow!

Yes the 550 is bigger and holds more peeps, but if the Mustang cabin fits the mission that is really some savings!

The other takeaway is while the C310 does it for about the same fuel cost/mile, any employee passengers would (I am sure) much rather ride in the Mustang than climbing up on a wing and down into a cabin in the 310. Pilots don't care, non-pilot passengers see this differently.

Always loved the Mustang. Now lovin it more!

If only...............still trying to work my way up to a 414A

Brenda

Yea Chris: That was an issue with my A-36; folks having to climb on the wing and I'd have to get in first. The P-Baron was better, but still a bit tight if I boarded others and closed the door before walking up.

TBM ~ $470

Interesting comparisons.

Couple things:

- I'll never fly a Citation for my trips or be "jet elite"
- I love my 310
- I purtymuch never pay more than $5/gallon for avgas

I would think most pilots would prefer the Mustang as well, even if they were in the back.

I love the Baron. But, especially in a business sense, its not near as capable or safe as a turbine. 510/550(501)= capex/fuel