We have recently had a few reasonable offers on the KA. I told myself I'd like to net a little more but the real problem is that I've been flying the heck out of it and have been too busy to think about an upgrade. Well I had lots of time to think about it on my 7 hour day flying from SDL to RIC (long day to end up going missed on the first approach!). Anyhow, a friend of mine is a jet consultant and has me leaning toward a 2002(ish) CJ2. I'm taking my mgt team over to his place tomorrow for a presentation and Q&A.

Everything I've read and heard has been positive. I don't have any time behind proline so I'm wondering about that. I talked to Loft in Carlsbad and will probably go out there and get typed next month.

I'm wondering what the BT collective thinks. Mission? 2-5 people anywhere in the US from SDL. I don't mind stopping westbound but hoping to make most places NS going East (I typically arrange several meetings across the country so stopping hasn't been a problem in the KA)

A little more info. The KA has been great! I've been flying it 300-350 hours per year and it has really moved our business forward. I'll take it anywhere, I hate the airline experience and would rather not grow the business if that's my only option. I'm
Super comfortable flying the KA in pretty much any WX. It feels like an extention of me.

I have zero time in citations (my 18 year old daughter has more time in them than me). I've flown SIC in Lear 20 series and flown bigger airplanes at TWA. Everybody tells me they are easy and I pretty much believe them.

A friend has a Premier in Tride. Let me know if you want contact info. Transitioned to it from MU 2.

Tell Ken you want a 3 or 4 or Phenom 300.........I'll teach you how to fly it

No matter what, I believe at 300 hrs plus (geez John, you're flying as much as I do) that the jet will end up being cheaper..........

I really like the Phenom 300 but they bring quite a little more than the 2's.

I like the way you think!

You'll love the CJ. Will Loft give a discount on two? I need to get down there too so maybe I'll join you!

Premiere not really an alternative to a CJ2 when it comes to range, or am I mistaken?

Adam, aren't you flying a 4?
Prefer it to the Pilatus?
What's the 'real' cruise difference on a 1000 nautical mile flight?

I've been beating this topic up (as it pertains to me) for sometime. I now think, subject to change, I'll end up in a CJ. Ever step into a phenom 300? I wasn't impressed. Particularly for that much money. I'm sure the proline is great but I suspect I'll be behind a Garmin.

The CJ2 is a remarkable machine, I've got about 30 hours in it. 2-5 people is a big spread when it comes to a CJ so you need to think about that. I love my CJ but a CJ2+ for me would be ultimate machine, not that I really need it. The CJ2 is about $1M more the a CJ which is a lot of Jet fuel.

I'm a Garmin guy with a couple of thousand hours behind that but I can honestly say the proline 21 is a great system and an easy transition.

FL450 in the 2 is a big advantage and you'd need that for the east bound trips without a stop. The CJ,CJ1 and CJ2 that I've flown and nice predictable planes to fly. You really won't be disappointed in a CJ2 if it suits your main misssions.


Andrew

5 people east bound from SDL in a CJ2 could be tight in some places. Especially in the NE where they descend you early.

For near the same money, you might look at the Encore. More seats, range, and longer TBOs on the engine.

Either way, make sure you check out the cost of ADSB upgrades, some of those costs can be near 100k for the Honeywell equipped airplanes. I'm not sure about the proline.

I did another 1300NM West bound trip a couple days ago in the Pilatus and it really had me ready to pull the trigger on a CJ. I say go for it.

Go for it John. Join CJP - there are a lot of resources there to help you make an informed decision. Check out the Russ Meyer Library.

Your jet consultant specialize in Citations? I hope so.

- Understand the costs to get the plane to WAAS and ADS-B. Some of the CJ2s are the most difficult and expensive to get there
- Watch out for the planes that had pilot relief tubes and corrosion issues
- You have to test fly a plane to FL410 - FL450 and confirm it makes close to book speeds. Some Cj2s had roll cock issues and the aerodynamic fixes for that affected the speed.
- Understand how the precooler life limits affect the aircraft you are considering

Early SN CJ2s can be bargains or money pits. Shop wisely.

You will find a Citation easier and more enjoyable to fly then your KA. And for 300+ hours a year your operating costs should be less.

I have, a few too many times
I was impressed actually. I like the Garmin setup. The Phenom is as good as, if not better economically than the CJ3/4

The CJ's have less room than the PC12 and the pilot seat was tight for me. I was scrunched actually. If I'm gonna drop 4-6MM on an airplane, there better be place for my long legs......all of em