So I stopped by Atlanta Aero today to talk about renting from them while I am between planes. Options that would work for me are the Cirrus planes and a Piper Arrow. Needless to say the cost differential is not exactly small.

First the Arrow. It's a 72 model with 430W and autopilot and cruises at 135 kts. Cost per hour as a club member is $186 per hour wet. Based on my 900 hours total time, IR and over 500 hours complex time they estimated ~5 hours dual to get checked out. So I am looking at ~$1,500 to get checked out and the plane is pretty available for business trips.

Two basic options for the Cirrus, SR20/22 and SR22T with FIKI. Cost for the 20/22 ranges from $385 to $490 per hour wet and the 22T is $540 per hour wet. They told me to plan on 10 hours dual to get checked out in either plane and if I want to move to another there is a differences course but the avionics packages are all the same. So the cost to get checked out in the planes range from ~$5,000-$5,500 for the 20/22 and $6,400 for the 22T. They do have a bunch of Cirrus aircraft between RYY and PDK and thought I would always be able to find something available for business trips. Obviously the 22T version is more available than the less expensive options. These planes are on leaseback so the owners tend to block a fair amount of time but this option would still work for me for 2-3 day trips. He estimated $1,800 for a trip from ATL-Dallas in the 22T and a little less on the return.

After having flown an A-36TN I have to admit I like the idea of a 22T with FIKI, especially for travel in the winter. I like flying in the low teens with O2 to get above the haze and heat which is why I bought the Bo. I am probably 2-3 years out from getting back into the ownership game and I want to keep flying. All the other club options are 172's and the occasional 182 and getting them for trips was not easy since they are so highly utilized.

Let the discernment begin.........

As a side note, they also list a Cirrus Vision Jet for a mere $1,345 per hour wet. I didn't even bother to ask about the cost for that transition, especially since I don't have an ME rating.

I don't like going slow - I'm not in the business of building flight time.

Sounds like the cost differential is there but not a huge influencing factor.

So go for the SR22T.

10 hours to get checked out...say what? Is it a checkout or a milkout?

And 5 hours for an Arrow? give me a break.

Those numbers sound appropriate for a newly minted PP, not a 1000 hour IR bonanza pilot.

And you would need a type rating for the Vision jet to ATP standards; so that would be a legitimate large training expense in my opinion.

My reaction as well, especially given my 500 plus hours of complex time in turbo aircraft. They said the standard is 8 hours but they usually see around 10 with pilots that have no TAA experience (which is me). I suspect that if I do well it will probably be closer to 8 hours but who knows.

Me either which is why the Arrow's only appeal is cost.

With no Cirrus time, 10 hours between ground and flight is not that excessive. If they meant 10 flight hours plus other time for ground, that seems a bit much to me.

But, regardless, if you can afford it, definitely go for the Cirrus.....much more capable and 45 knots faster.

I'm afraid I became stuck on the 5 hours to checkout in an Arrow part.

Why would you need an ME for the Cirrus Jet?

Good question and maybe you don't. I just assumed you needed one to transition to a jet. Like I said, I never even asked about it since that's not a financial option for me.

Key point here is “for business trips”.
Smells of get there itis.
Cirrus, FIKI. Negotiate on the hours. Sounds high.
I have about 120 hours in Cirri, TN and NA. And a lit 1500 in Red Bo. So, I know.
You’ll find Cirri a piece of cake to fly compared to a Bo.

That is a good deal if it is available when you need it and it fits the mission.

Exactly right. I agree that the Cirrus is likely the best option. From Atlanta I usually fly to Memphis, Nashville, Jackson, MS, Indy with the occasional trip to Houston, San Antonio and Dallas. The 22T will be a non-stop option and will give me the highest dispatch rate, especially since my non-ice protected A36TN was a bit of a challenge in the winter. Just grinding on spending $6K just to be able to use it.

Earl,
Any way to combine a few business trips with the checkout / instructor? A couple of long cross countries would go pretty far in the 10 hour requirement.

Kill two birds with one thousand dollar stone.

Earl,
Any way to combine a few business trips with the checkout / instructor? A couple of long cross countries would go pretty far in the 10 hour requirement.

Kill two birds with one thousand dollar stone.

My reaction as well, especially given my 500 plus hours of complex time in turbo aircraft. They said the standard is 8 hours but they usually see around 10 with pilots that have no TAA experience (which is me). I suspect that if I do well it will probably be closer to 8 hours but who knows.