Most of my flights are either 800, 1100, or 1200nm. About a third of them are into and out of Colorado. I have an NA C55 which I love but I would like more useful load, higher altitudes, and ice eqmt. - but without massively higher running costs (i.e. sticking to piston, no turboprops). So does the following plane exist? Did a version of a shrike commander ever have an STC gross wt increase that would allow the useful loads below?

- Operate out of 3000 ft. runways (lower altitudes)
- 6-7000 ft runways at 12,000 DA
- FL 20-25
- Ice
- 6 adults plus luggage (1300 lb) and 4.5 hours plus 1 hr reserve at 185 kts (approx 180 gal at 33/hour LOP - say 2400-2500 total useful)
- O2 system (pressurization not a priority)
- maybe AC

Pilatus

Easy.

1979 to 1983 A36 with IO550. Add TAT TN system. Add tip tanks. Add TKS.

Done and done.

An early A36 equipped like that will have a max gross weight of more than 1400 pounds. TAS in the flight levels will be 190 to 205 KTAS.

Range is 1000 to 1,200 N Miles.

Fuel burn is 17.5gph in cruise.

The possible restriction is room for bags if you are carrying 6 people.

58TC is a load monster. Or a Navajo or Chieftain.

+1

6 adults plus bags and 1000 miles? You need a turboprop of some sort.

He needs 1300 plus 4.5 hours fuel.

Supercharged Twin Bonanza. Like a J50 with boots.


Or this QA - http://www.trade-a-plane.com/mobile/det ... e%20Piston

The tbone can do all of those things, though not all at the same time.

Here you go:

http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/aircraf ... hJyfOxViko

2900# Useful Load

-1300 for pax

1600lbs

/6 = 266 gal

@ 50 gph (High number to allow for climb out, etc)

5.3hrs

@200KTs

It has a built in O2 System & Winglets!

Under 200K (asking price).

http://jacksaircraft.com/aircraft/index ... fts?id=216

A Panther Navajo will do all of this.

Its a short field plane.
Its a load hauler. (Find one with 2,400 UL for the 1,300lb + 800 mile)
It will run nicely LOP. 185 on 16.5/side (at 10,000' - add 2kts per 1,000 approx)
Its FIKI. (Built for real weather. Even has a windshield wiper)
Its Turbo (great performance out of high DA).

To clarify,you are saying 1300lbs 800 miles or the ability to go 1,100 miles resulting in 2,400 UL. My panther has 242 gallons with dual Nayak Nacelle tanks. You would need both if you want 11-1200 miles.

The downside is no pressurization. OTOH, that 1,000lb weight savings is the reason it can do all the other things you want. An RStol 421 may do this also if you find one with a high UL. It may need to be a straight leg with Rstol. That will be a tough find and won't get off the runway as well as the Panther.

Also, you did not mention how much weight at 3,000'. I don't have enough heavy experience to predict that yet. I had a departure out of Pagosa (10,000DA) with 180 gallons and 425 lbs in the cabin. We used 2,500' of runway and saw an inital ROC of 1,800fpm.

I stumbled upon this plane. Very glad I did so far. I pick it up Thursday after a little panel work.

Best,

The suggested trip fuel burn is 180 gal for an 830nm trip. An F model MU2 will make 250 kts on 60gph giving you a trip fuel burn of about 200 gallons.

200 gal Jet A * $4/gal = $800
180 gal 100LL * $5/gal = $900

For the capabilities you seek, a well selected 331 powered turboprop might be viable.

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/mobile/det ... e%20Piston

Queenair

You seem to have eliminated the airplanes that would actually do the task properly.

If you really need to carry 6 adults in any sort of tolerable comfort on the trip you outlined, then you need pressurization and a decent cabin size. Speed is also a component of comfort.

MU2 would be the most economical choice in the turboprop world. You get pressurization, AC, and 300 knots for good measure as well.

The cost per trip isn't much more than a piston twin Commander, maybe less.

An 800 nm trip for me is under 3 hours, 210 gallons fuel (which is way cheaper than 100LL). I can carry 6 adults and lots of baggage no problem.

1200 nm is at the edge of MU2 range, doable if there is no headwind. If you want 1200 nm reliably even in headwinds, need something longer range than an MU2.

Mike C.

I like the MU2 also if these are your typical flights. Not sure about the 3,000' runways though. If you want comfort for 1,300lbs I think you need a long body.

But....you said no TPs.

If those are his requirements then he NEEDS a Merlin III, Just not sure it will do the Runway needs...