I think the 421 is close to being in a class by itself. I'd bet it is the most expensive to operate amongst its close competitors but not by a large margin.

I haven't owned either but operated a C340 for about a year and nearly pulled the trigger on a C421. I spent a great deal running all the #'s, talking to mechanics and talking to many owners of both. My personal conclusion was that the overall cost of owning a C421 was perhaps 10% more than a C340, making the decision between the two a no-brainer for me. The 414's weren't appealing due to higher acquisition price and engines which I felt were under powered (same engines on C340 on a much bigger / heavier airframe) and the biggest appeal to the C421 (besides the enormous cabin) was the very quiet geared engines.

I focused my efforts on the C421 but after talking to many, many owners I simply couldn't get past the exceptionally hard to predict mx costs. Engines aside, you can spend an enormous amount of $$ on mx on these birds and still have another enormous bill right around the corner.

At the end of the day, my mission (90% single occupant, 10% mult-pax trips and roughly 350 hrs / yr) doesn't match up well with a C421 and I went an entirely different route. Yours seems to match it very well. I would consult with as many owners as you can regarding their very honest experiences & costs operating these birds. Also talk to several shops who specialize in Twin Cessnas - TAS in Defiance, OH is one but there are many others.

I still have a longing for a C421 and would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a very roomy, comfortable cabin with almost endless baggage space. I think you just need to go in eyes wide open and be prepared for some very hefty on-going mx bills.

I would not call a 414A with 335hp underpowered. The wing is glider like and climbs just fine on 335hp and really hauls on 670hp. IIRC it will hang around FL200 on a single engine. IMHO best light twin ever created.

Isn't it the same as the 340 basically?

I am thoroughly torn...i started with the decision to purchase a 340 then started looking at 421s. Now I made the mistake of looking at 414s.

2. Did you note that he doesn't run LOP?

It's been a while since I saw this video, but I remember thinking "this guy has no clue how to run a plane economically!"

How much a 421,340 or 414A costs to run depends on the owners tolerance for break downs or AOG situations.

Pilot number one has no tolerance for breakdowns, delays and AOG situations so he spends more for MX.

Pilot number two is OK with unplanned delays, breakdowns and AOG situations so runs the plane till things break.

Pilot number three is somewhat in the middle.

I am like number one so I spend a lot on preventative MX. It's still cheaper than a C90 for 100 hours a year.

Another datapoint:


Seen that video. It's also not representative.

1. Did you note what he pays for hanger & insurance?

2. Did you note that he doesn't run LOP?

It's been a while since I saw this video, but I remember thinking "this guy has no clue how to run a plane economically!"

I think he is factoring high in some case but I also think he's trying to represent reality, round numbers.

You don't think 40 gal/hr is reasonable estimate block to block for short trips?

A hangar big enough for that airplane around here could easily be $1000/mo, probably more as you get up towards NYC metro, if you can even find one. My 43' bifold T is a bit over $400.

Insurance on $400K hull, I don't know, I suppose it could be that high if the named pilots aren't 5000 hr twin drivers, and since he's using it for business prob has the highest liability coverage that he can get.

The one that got me was the 100-120 hr annuals, with no discrepancies. Yow.

Insurance on $400K hull, I don't know, I suppose it could be that high if the named pilots aren't 5000 hr twin drivers, and since he's using it for business prob has the highest liability coverage that he can get.