You speak the truth Adam. No oil changes on a turbine. I still swear my PC12 is cheaper to run than my Bonanza with all the BS MX and expensive annuals. I'm also paying only $3.50 a gallon for JetA and it's dropping fast.

You can get a Mustang for a little over a million.

You have a point there. If you can afford the price of admission the staying costs are pretty darn good on what you have compared to a piston. Whole different world.

That's what I'm beginning to find out after speaking to a lot of turbine owners! If you're part 91, and compare it to a high end all WX piston, then the difference isn't that big. The Aerostar 700, that'll do about 250-260kts WOT, will also burn close to 50gals/hr of Avgas. A turbine doing the same speed will burn 60-65gal/hr, but the fuel is at least 1 dollar cheaper per gallon. Per nm, it's probably a wash. Sure, maintenance might be a bit higher, but from what I've gathered from owners, not that much.

That's what I'm beginning to find out after speaking to a lot of turbine owners! If you're part 91, and compare it to a high end all WX piston, then the difference isn't that big. The Aerostar 700, that'll do about 250-260kts WOT, will also burn close to 50gals/hr of Avgas. A turbine doing the same speed will burn 60-65gal/hr, but the fuel is at least 1 dollar cheaper per gallon. Per nm, it's probably a wash. Sure, maintenance might be a bit higher, but from what I've gathered from owners, not that much.

Plus, when you want out of the TBM, it's gonna sell fast for probably what you have in it or more.

Back when I sold PT6A turbine conversions, a significant number of owners told me that their MX/DOC's actually dropped post conversion.

Back to "Baron or Bust." Might want to consider a Meridian. Heck of a lot faster than the Baron, better climb, pressurized, smoother, quieter, and cheaper to run.

You can probably buy this one under $800k:

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetai ... 344957.htm

If you can stomach the 1m acquisition price and $1200 per hour to run, sure get the turbine. A nice Baron can be had for 1/4 that acquisition and running cost though.

Barons are wonderful airplanes but there is no way on planet earth i would spend $600k on one to go 190kts unpressurized.

For this budget, start looking at eclipse jets and other similar turbines. It was a scary step for me but after doing it, i feel an eclipse is easier to fly, much safer and costs only a little more to own to go twice as fast. Jet fuel is getting cheaper daily too.

I know a nice unmarketed eclipse for $600k and another for $650.

Mike

More like $650/hr to run tops. $800k buys you a nice one with an engine that will go 3k hours. I can't afford the entry price, so it's a moot point, but $800k in a Meridian makes a lot more sense than $600k in a Baron. Not even in the same category.

Maybe a 2000 vintage meridian can be bought for 800k, likely with some warts and catchup mx, but where do you put the family of 5? Also he said a twin was a requirement. How much to run a 600k KA?

What about your current Bonanza does not meet your needs?

What do you want the new plane to do? Apart from two engines are there other non-functional requirements (newer than X, etc)

Charles, With two engines I think my wife will fly with me.

Good stuff there gentlemen!

The Eclipse looks like a great airplane but expensive to fly.

Why buy any of these new when you can buy slightly used for half price.

When you get past the purchase price of a Baron you have an aircraft that cruises at 200kts and burns less than 25 gph. It is economical compared to most of the aircrafts mentioned in my HO.

The size is good, I fly mostly by myself and she fits in a normal size T-hangar.

Um close but a baron will not go 200kts on 25 GPH.