If cabin comfort is important to you then yes. A quick tour of both cabins will answer this question in about 2 sec. If you into pure sex appeal, I don't think the 421 can even begin to compete with a Duke.

Or faster on same fuel.....depends on who you ask. The rest I'll agree with.

Or faster on same fuel.....depends on who you ask. The rest I'll agree with.

Thank god this post is back on tract. I don't give a damn about electric cars right now. I am trying to decide what, if any twin, I need to buy with my newly acquired multi rating.

Come on guys, especially those of you with the good, bad or ugly experience of twin ownership, keep the debate going. Some of us are actually listening...about airplanes anyway.

Regards,

Mark

Mark, it is a good thing you are taking your time. There are good,bad and ugly facts about all of them. A lot of things factor into what you will buy and "like " after the purchase.

Mark,

It will come down to three things.
-- Budget. Both acquisition and operation. Acquisition will be the smaller part over time, but does affect what you get.
-- Mission. e.g. Carry four a 1000NM non-stop is not going to happen in a Piper Seminole.
-- Emotions. Could be wife's opinion on looks or comfort or... Could be yours on which one flies better....

My suggestion, go fly a few and take your wife on a trip or two in some and see what you like.

Tim

[/quote]

Also the 421C has better short field ability and a toilet in the back. Direct Operating cost is about the same as the Duke. The Duke is less to buy for a reason. The Duke is considered better looking , but looks didn't sell very well. Cessna 421 out sold the Duke 2 to 1.[/quote]

so what is the short field capability of the 421C? How short of a grass strip can it handle? ( 2,300?)

speaking of sex appeal, I think both Jim Lovell and Eugene Cernan own and fly 421s. Probably for the poor fuel economy, cramped cabin and, of course, the luck of potty on top of those Saturn V rockets.

Also the 421C has better short field ability and a toilet in the back. Direct Operating cost is about the same as the Duke. The Duke is less to buy for a reason. The Duke is considered better looking , but looks didn't sell very well. Cessna 421 out sold the Duke 2 to 1.[/quote]

so what is the short field capability of the 421C? How short of a grass strip can it handle? ( 2,300?)[/quote]


421C will easily use 2300 of pavement depending on 4 things.
1. You are not at Max gross.
2. The density altitude is low
3. The pilots ability
4. No obstructions close to the ends of the runway

Grass is different. Depends on how tall the grass is, how wet or soft the surface is.
I have never tried 2300 of grass but think you would need about 3,000 with the same 4 conditions .

1. light ( 3/4 fuel or less and 2 people on board)
2. short grass, very firm ground
3. DA under 2,000'
4. assume I know what I am doing. ( big assumption I know )

all this considered, what say you?

What about obstructions? A 421 with RSTOL would be better long term under those conditions.

predominate winds are out of the south. 17 has a 10' obstruction 50' off the end.
35 has a 20' obstruction 50' off the end. We only use 35 in the winter, then its pretty much a non event since its cool and the north winds are usually brisk.

So far it's been a bake-off between the Duke and 421C.

What about earlier versions of the 421? A quick perusal of the trades shows the 421A in the same acquisition range as a low-end Duke.

How does the B60A/B compare with C421A/B?

I love my Baron but after flying the 414, having the extra two seats and potty are a huge upgrade. When you can actually belt 8 it gives huge flexibility without having to move to a king air or a pilatus. 421 is way ahead than the Duke....way ahead

Exactly! If you need the cabin you buy the 400 series. If you only have 4-5 people and want a wonderful airplane for 1/3 the money you buy the Duke. With 8 people you are not going very far and you are taking zero bags anyway. The 400 series are good planes, but they are nothing special at the price they are at.

Now, Teslas are pigs and will not run LOP.