BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Feb 2021, 22:07

Username Protected wrote:

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.

People have been postulating the demise of those old airplanes for decades.

And they have been wrong.

There isn't going to be this great cliff where they all go away. It will be a very gradual reduction in the fleet size as retirements happen, but it won't be some big event.

Mike C.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Feb 2021, 22:14

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, 22:17

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.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 14 Feb 2021, 01:59

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.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 14 Feb 2021, 09:32

My A36 is currently in for annual and installation of 0SFRM install and I will also get the prop overhauled.

If I wasn’t considering a Meridian it would be an 58P. I actually owned one 30 plus years ago but couldn’t fly it. (Owned by our family business).

58P is about 40 knots slower
Fuel will cost more per mile in 58P
Unexpected maintenance could go either way some would argue 58P would be less
58P cost to acquire would be less
meridian will get Huber faster than 58P
I figure Meridian will cost about 45k-50k more per year to operate then Bonanza based on 100 hours insurance adds 10k-12k, fuel another 10K annual another 20K and training requiremts.
The Meridian will get through the weather faster (live in Minnesota)

Over a 5 year period I believe the 58P would cost on average about 10K less or so thus wins in potential savings.

What have I missed?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 14 Feb 2021, 10:08

Username Protected wrote:

The OP is asking about a meridian, is it customary on BT to upgrade everyone to a MU2?

Well, some recommend a PC12. I however, tend to recommend the TBM.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 14 Feb 2021, 10:47

No, no, no ... everybody on BT upgrades to a Piaggio. That's why that thread is so long!! :peace:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 14 Feb 2021, 16:43

Username Protected wrote:

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.

The OP is asking about a meridian, is it customary on BT to upgrade everyone to a MU2?