BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 11 Feb 2021, 14:03

Username Protected wrote:

What Chip said. Here are my profiles flying today. Neutral wind one direction, and 20 knots on the nose coming back. Either way about a little under 4 hours down and 4:15 hours back easy non-stop. You could easily take 800 lbs of payload in the cabin with fuel and IFR reserves in the M600. Jet fuel today was PWK is 3.76, which would be about $610 in fuel. Probably cheaper than coach with 2 people, certainly cheaper with 4 people. ;-)

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Thanks for sharing that information. I've used FF performance profiles to compare to other AC as well. The thing I think about is what an AC will really do. If 95% of my missions will be just the wife and I and 100lbs of baggage at most, what will get us to KPBI to KFRG or KPBI to KGYY non stop.

This debate in my head is actually driving us crazy, there aren't many options, but then you get into, old vs. new, Cap and OP cost, etc. Have looked at 9 ways to Sunday and we still can't seem to come to a decision.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 11 Feb 2021, 21:58

Great airplane, it’s much more than a bonanza in so many ways. Happy to talk my experience through if you are interested.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Feb 2021, 01:23

Username Protected wrote:

My 2 cents. Transitioned from a T206 to a 2003 Meggitts-equipped Meridian with the gross weight increase last summer. It is an amazing entry-level turbine that is an honest 2-3 person plane that can take you 750nm at 250kts. Best of all, you can reasonably own and operate (for 125 hours a year) a similar vintage plane for approximately 100k. If you're really serious about purchasing a Meridian, join MMOPA. It's worth the fee and is a wealth of knowledge.

The plane definitely has some limitations which will likely lead me to another airplane sooner rather than later, but so long as you are aware of those limitations you won't have any regrets. I certainly don't.

Just to clarify, you are saying a Meridian is 100k a year for 125 hours?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Feb 2021, 03:40

Username Protected wrote:

Just to clarify, you are saying a Meridian is 100k a year for 125 hours?

Doesn't seem terribly far off.

25k for insurance (step up transition in this market)
15k for an annual (some may be 35k)
17.5k for fuel (40 gph @ $3.50/gal)
4-12k hangar
10k use tax (California thing)
whatever noncash reserves for engine and prop
wash/wax fund

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Feb 2021, 08:30

Username Protected wrote:

Just to clarify, you are saying a Meridian is 100k a year for 125 hours?

Doesn't seem terribly far off.

25k for insurance (step up transition in this market)
15k for an annual (some may be 35k)
17.5k for fuel (40 gph @ $3.50/gal)
4-12k hangar
10k use tax (California thing)
whatever noncash reserves for engine and prop
wash/wax fund

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Feb 2021, 11:21

Wow this is a big X factor (5-10X?) over a Cessna 182! Only money... But the memories have gotta be precious? LOL

Best,

Tom

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Feb 2021, 11:49

Username Protected wrote:

Minus capitalization, my Meridian ran me around 80k year for all in expenses at about 125 hours.

Ditto

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Feb 2021, 12:14

Just need to fly 250 hours, and the rest of the expenses minus fuel, don't change ;-)

Getting a partner has a similar effect. A turbine only flying 125 hours a year has a lot of fixed cost.

What I found is that with each step up in comfort, speed and capability, my flying actually increased. You will be tempted to fly longer trips, more same day trips, that you previously thought of as overnighters, and your mission changes in that the range ring of places you realize you can go gets bigger. Also will fly on days that the weather would probably keep the piston in the hangar. So 125 hours in a piston might just become 250 hours in a Meridian. ;-)

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Feb 2021, 19:20

Well since my post was kind of hijacked but still good input. I’m currently waiting on an insurance quote based on my experience however no turbine time.

Interesting like we all do I figure I will make more trips and fewer on the air
Lines.

Thank you to all who have private messaged me, the only thing I’m lacking right now is a flight in one. I sat in one the other day and fit fine. Last time I did that two years ago I ending up buying a Husky over a super cub in Ogden UT and flew it home to Minnesota in November, Looks like history just might repeat itself!

Joe

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Feb 2021, 02:03

Username Protected wrote:

Just to clarify, you are saying a Meridian is 100k a year for 125 hours?

Doesn't seem terribly far off.

25k for insurance (step up transition in this market)
15k for an annual (some may be 35k)
17.5k for fuel (40 gph @ $3.50/gal)
4-12k hangar
10k use tax (California thing)
whatever noncash reserves for engine and prop
wash/wax fund

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Feb 2021, 11:59

Username Protected wrote:

Just to clarify, you are saying a Meridian is 100k a year for 125 hours?

You can fly an MU2 for that and get more miles, more speed, a vastly bigger cabin, and twin engine redundancy.

In turboprops, single is not always cheaper than twin. This is even more true when cost of capital is included since the singles tend to be quite expensive to acquire.

Mike C.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Feb 2021, 19:05

Username Protected wrote:

Just to clarify, you are saying a Meridian is 100k a year for 125 hours?

You can fly an MU2 for that and get more miles, more speed, a vastly bigger cabin, and twin engine redundancy.

In turboprops, single is not always cheaper than twin. This is even more true when cost of capital is included since the singles tend to be quite expensive to acquire.

Mike C.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Feb 2021, 19:45

The MU2 is going to be more than twice as old. Plus the PA46 is pretty ubiquitous when it comes to parts and maintenance.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Feb 2021, 21:34

Username Protected wrote:

The MU2 is going to be more than twice as old. Plus the PA46 is pretty ubiquitous when it comes to parts and maintenance.

I've said for some time that when these 70's and 80's vintage airplanes are "too old" the market changes. The reality is that the 70's and very early 80's are when most of the airplanes were built. When you take those aircraft out of the fleet (and we can quit lying to ourselves, it is going to happen) We are left with a MUCH smaller fleet of airplanes. This will be a game changer.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Feb 2021, 22:02

Username Protected wrote:

All true, but considering he's moving up from an A36,the Meridian is probably a better choice.

I went from a 210 to the MU2.

I'm not a big believer in the "take little steps" airplane progression theory. All those steps cost time and money between where you are and where you want to be. If you have the talent, and get the training, then you can do it.

Mike C.

Considering buying a Meridian