BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Dec 2017, 19:25

Username Protected wrote:

I've done some long haul flying the last few days with a plane load of people. I think my favorite thing about the Pilatus is the cabin size. There's tons of room for everyone. Nobody has to share space. It's like a flying apartment.

Yesterday, headwinds at FL450 were just as high as they were in the mid 30's. I did my usual CJ3/PC12 flight time comparison on Fltplan.com. The CJ3 still needed to stop for fuel on a 1300NM trip as did the PC12 (because of headwinds). Add the ATC routing for the CJ3 vs. flying VFR direct in the PC12 and the PC12 was faster and burned half the amount of gas vs. the CJ3.

Apples and Oranges... VFR vs IFR?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Dec 2017, 19:27

Username Protected wrote:

Apples and Oranges... VFR vs IFR?

I'm interested in getting from point A to point B as fast as possible.

I fly both IFR and VFR to NYC, S. Florida, Chicago etc. Do you? Please tell me all about how it's "apples and oranges".

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Dec 2017, 20:36

Username Protected wrote:

Apples and Oranges... VFR vs IFR?

I'm interested in getting from point A to point B as fast as possible.

I fly both IFR and VFR to NYC, S. Florida, Chicago etc. Do you? Please tell me all about how it's "apples and oranges".

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Dec 2017, 20:37

Username Protected wrote:

The PC12 stands on it's own and outclasses anything in it's wheelhouse... I just don't understand stacking the deck against a CJ3 to say the PC12 is better.

I could easily say that depending on weather the PC12 might no be able to make the trip at all... apples and oranges.

I'm not stacking against the CJ3. I want a CJ3. I'm just always trying to make sure I'm making the right decision because once I make the move I can't ever go back to PC12.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Dec 2017, 20:38

Username Protected wrote:

I could easily say that depending on weather the PC12 might no be able to make the trip at all... apples and oranges.

How do you figure? I've done it countless times in all weather conditions.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Dec 2017, 20:40

Username Protected wrote:

The PC12 stands on it's own and outclasses anything in it's wheelhouse... I just don't understand stacking the deck against a CJ3 to say the PC12 is better.

I could easily say that depending on weather the PC12 might no be able to make the trip at all... apples and oranges.

I'm not stacking against the CJ3. I want a CJ3. I'm just always trying to make sure I'm making the right decision because once I make the move I can't ever go back to PC12.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Dec 2017, 21:38

Username Protected wrote:

Off lubbers on anchor. Got Jimmy Buffet problems.

JB actually owns a PC12

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Dec 2017, 21:42

Username Protected wrote:

I also tell potential PC12 buyers that the reason the PC12 is so hard to come by is that the people that have them don't sell them very often... they have you're exact dilemma.

Which is why I always compare my flight time with the CJ3 profile I have on Fltplan.com

The same day I planned my Westbound trip I compared the same trip going East. The CJ3 was 1 hour faster than the PC12 that day on a 1300NM flight.

So why do it? Cuz jets look awesome. That's literally my only motivation.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Dec 2017, 22:01

Username Protected wrote:

I could easily say that depending on weather the PC12 might no be able to make the trip at all... apples and oranges.

How do you figure? I've done it countless times in all weather conditions.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Dec 2017, 22:03

Username Protected wrote:

If there's a line of thunderstorms with tops in the high 30's you can fly right over in the CJ3.

Key word....... "IF".

It's extremely rare that I'm not using the same holes in thunderstorms that 737's are using.

I've never had to land because I diverted for a T storm. You just fly around them. Not a big deal.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Dec 2017, 22:03

Username Protected wrote:

I also tell potential PC12 buyers that the reason the PC12 is so hard to come by is that the people that have them don't sell them very often... they have you're exact dilemma.

Which is why I always compare my flight time with the CJ3 profile I have on Fltplan.com

The same day I planned my Westbound trip I compared the same trip going East. The CJ3 was 1 hour faster than the PC12 that day on a 1300NM flight.

So why do it? Cuz jets look awesome. That's literally my only motivation.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Dec 2017, 22:04

It doesn't have anything to do with the PC12. Jets look awesome. End of story.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Dec 2017, 22:47

I Agree with Jason on this, the light jets sell because they are cool The advantages they have over TPs are offset by the disadvantages.

TP stop better and typically handle hot and high better, they are also cheaper to operate. In addition they normally have better range.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Dec 2017, 09:18

Chip - I’m with Jason on this one. We’ve never had to cancel a trip due to Wx...sure maybe postpone a few hours or wait for ceilings to improve at destination...but that’d affect anyone who can’t do a CAT III approach. If significant convective activity exists in the airport or terminal environment...no ones going to climb, descend, or fly thru it. If weather exist enroute...we’ve never had a problem getting around it.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Dec 2017, 09:49

Chip, nice thread!

We've all heard about the crazy reliability of the PT-6, I figure this thread could provide more evidence.

How many inflight PT-6 failures has the PC-12 community experienced?

The Ultimate Pilatus PC12 Thread!