I believe you. I just would rather buy a SP jet.

The point some are missing is the mission of the professional pilot. Their job is to be ready at a moments notice to go fly. Whether it is hiring one pilot or a crew makes no difference. The man that owns the airplane has it for a reason. That is well understood in the corporate pilot world. I wouldn't want to rely on 800-4a-pilot either. My copilot works for me. I have a couple of backup for the extremely rare instance that he wouldn't be available.

The big plus for me is the peace of mind knowing that if I drop dead of a heart attack, I have somebody to get my family or key employees on the ground safely. My dear wife? My General Manager? Ain't gonna happen. That's a reality.

I am not saying everybody needs to fly with two pilots. Do what you want. The way it works is being misrepresented here. That's all.

It's all about enjoying the company of the one you are working with. I'll get the bags, you get the car. It makes the transition from air to ground and vise versa pretty smooth if two are working together. I'll get the flight plan loaded, you pay for the fuel. It's not a bad gig when have the right folks working in harmony. I worked as a co-captain and we would switch seats every leg. It's about making it work and greasing the wheels.

SP jet is fine if you don't need the more spacious cabin/speed/range of two crew aircraft.

Hopping around the mainland US the SP jets fit a special niche. Want to go to Hawaii start looking for a co-pilot that suits.

Thomas, I hear what you are saying, but in reality the chances of me dropping dead in the pilot's seat when I fly 50-150 hours per year are less than being stuck by lightning. If I was to buy a jet, I would buy one that was SP and hire a pilot when I felt it was necessary. It's no secret that jets are easier to fly. Many have two pilots because they were built for the high net worth/high liability passengers. Two pilots makes the liability insurance look better.

I have flown many jets by myself with the guy in the right seat doing nothing. There truly is no need for a second pilot in most modern jets.

Another myth. You will get into trouble MUCH faster in a jet. Systems are complex. Performance management is key. That same performance that adds safety can also bite you in the ass.

I have two pro pilot friends that had cardio events that both required surgery. Neither where in the airplane when it happened. One was in his early 50s and the other in his 40s. Another friend of mine perished in an empty leg to go pick up a 135 trip. Heart attack was suspected, but not proven. My father had his first heart attack at 49. I am 53 with a clean bill of health. That is not something I want to put my family or employees through.

Like I said...holy war.

TW: I actually thought your line was "live and let live" and hers was "lock and load". Trying to reconcile that with "my way or the highway". Bwthdik

To my point Thomas, you wouldn't fly a Cherokee single pilot with others onboard correct? And, if you would, please reconcile that for me because I can't.

Well, there is a difference. Low performance, easy to fly. ATC has successfully talked down planes like this with a non-pilot flying.

But, to answer your question, no I wouldn't without another person capable of landing it.

Whatever. A 421 is FAR more airplane to handle than a Citation Bravo. I have flown both and the 421 requires much more skill and attention to systems. The jet requires more attention to speed control and that is it. Manage the speed and you will never get in trouble in a jet.

As someone who has taught over 1,000 people to fly jets, all I can say is wow are you misinformed! Speed is but one aspect of the jet transition.

Did you do an initial CE-500 course to fly the Bravo, or did you just "go for a ride" where the type rated pilot let you sit up front and fly a bit?

Whatever. I have 5 jet type ratings and own a 421. I disagree with you.
Think what you want, fly the way you want. I couldn't give two shits.

I agree with you that pro pilots are a little on the unhealthy side. The two pro pilots that flew me home the other day had me nervous as hell. Both looked like a heart attack waiting to happen.

I woulda taken Crandall in a single engine prop over them any day of the week.

Sounds like you're the perfect target market for SF 50

That is a perfectly logical response. It is clear where you stand and I respect that and your opinion.

What I cannot respect is the argument that essentially says a pilot stricken by a fatal heart attack is an acceptable risk in all SP aircraft but a jet. Pretty sure a dead pilot cannot land a slower less complex aircraft any better than a fast complex aircraft. In my experience plenty of Pro Pilots will attempt to make this absurd argument (in so many words). Actually had one try to convince me of this just last week as we were flying the 560. He finally said "I know it makes no sense but it is just how I feel". Lol. I agreed with both of those points.