BeechTalk - BT - PA-31-350 Panther

Username Protected · **Posted:** 15 Aug 2016, 01:10

Ahem - *clears throat* - it's not like the only alternative to a King Air is an MU-2. Look at Turbo Commanders. Pretty hard to beat. :stir:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 15 Aug 2016, 21:03

Username Protected wrote:

Jimmy,
Where is the plane going to be based out of? Also have your friend talk to some owner/operators who own and fly a 421 to get the real scoop. We flew our plane >350 hours last year without a single AOG. Have your friend text or call me 904-465-2445.

Tony

Thanks Tony, I will try to get him to call you. The plane will be based out of Sevierville, TN at GKT, Gatlinburg, TN

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Aug 2016, 10:43

Username Protected wrote:

RP.

The Cheyenne is a viable choice but will cost more. There's a bit of time savings but not much. My Cheyenne II would only do 235 its without pushing it. The Chieftain has a better balance and payload, but if money were not a factor I'd take the Cheyenne. Good simple, east to fly (if you adjust to the SAS system).

You certainly know what your aircraft did, but for others, 235 ktas is appreciably slower than I have ever heard of for a Cheyenne II at normal cruise. Running book power settings, mine runs 250 ktas +8/-3, depending on conditions. I recall Philip Eisinger’s II is faster than that. To get 235 kts, it would take a reduced power, fuel conservation setting such as for a max range flight. The Fltplan.com speed profile is fairly accurate, usually within 5 kts of what I true at. As far as the SAS goes, what SAS? I don’t notice it.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Aug 2016, 14:13

Don't have any panther time but have some time in 414's and p-barons, I would go with something pressurized if running a turbocharged twin

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Aug 2016, 15:43

I would try and get a pressurized plane.

I have to get on Oxygen often to get over weather and my passengers hate it. I normally fly at 10k but seems like often need to get to 15k or so to get over weather this time of year.

The benefit of 421c is how quiet the cabin is, you do not need to wear headsets. If I had your friends budget I would be looking at 421C or King air for cabin comfort and pressurization. Especially if the guy paying the bill is sitting in the back.

Mike

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Aug 2016, 22:28

Well he purchased a Panther Chieftain. An old retired mechanic talked him into it. Did not look at any other aircraft. Looked at only one plane. Hope he is happy. I gave him the web site to look at comments. Should be running it in 30 days.