Non FIKI Cirrus should be about 50k less....and 5 knots FASTER
Resale will be a bit of a challenge as most buyers want FIKI

I live in Charlotte
In 300 hours of flying Aerostar I have needed boots just once returning from yearly January duck hunt in Arkansas in 2018.

The year prior I had to postpone my return a day in non FIKI Columbia due to ice concerns.

Almost 100 hours in Cirrus now and have not needed TKS yet..dang it.
In testing system it does give me confidence to be able to escape a moderate icing encounter.

Easy decision now

I’m curious Brad why you have the Cirrus and Aerostar? Other than the obvious goal of
filling up the hangar with as many toys as possible, how do you use them?

I’ve drooled over the performance of the Aerostar for years and have been inside them a number of times. I just can’t seem to fall in love with them nor the mx headaches I hear often about. 240-260 its would save me quite a bit of time, however...

Don,

Answer #1: Mental illness...pure and simple

Answer#2. John Grady Green’s fault. JGG has owned 30 airplanes
At 52 I decided I better hurry...4 down and 26 to go...not gonna get to 30 though

Answer #3
If one owns an Aerostar you needa backup airplane.
Actually only been AOG once with bad mag

And the real answer...short version.
Aerostar was scheduled for paint shop and I chickened out on buying a T-Bone that I really wanted short term. Figured Cirrus would be easier to sell. Cirrus is only half mine, partner taking lessons and hopefully private soon. May sell my share of Cirrus in future...or maybe not...see answer #1

That’s kinda what I expected to hear Brad and #3 has been my opinion about any older, complex piston twin. I’d love to have a C421 and SR22 both in the hangar and pick which one suits the mission better each day. With the SR I’d always be dispatchable regardless of the squawk list on the 421, which would almost always be a big list.

Useful load vs FIKI: This trade off is particularly acute in the Mooney.
In addition to the resale consideration, which I believe to be valid, consider the broad generalization that not having FIKI can be a show stopper. Not having enough UL can be an inconvenience. In the first case, you can’t go. In the second, you may have to add a fuel stop.

However, for your stated use, the 80/20 guidance would favor UL over FIKI.

-dan

Though a different class of plane, It's hard to imagine owning a NA plane after owning a turbo-normalized 182. A pilot gets spoiled having a wide range of altitudes for favorable winds and weather. High density altitudes when heavy is cake.

My Citabria has a Lycoming O-360...160 horsepower

My NA Cirrus will put out ~160 horsepower at 17000 feet.
Plus if you accidentally get in a little ice...AND HAVE WARMER AIR BELOW! You can descend @ 4000 FPM (scimitar prop is a speed brake at idle) and get below icing layer in less than a minute.

I departed Pagosa Springs, Co in NA Columbia once with a DA of 8,600 feet..bit different but very doable.

I would rather have an SR22T with FIKI but operationally living in NC and flying south....
A non FIKI NA bird is still really sweet

Hey Don...the 421 went into annual squawk free this year.

Care to share your mx bills since the last annual??

I have to remember to stop by to see you on one of my next trips. Would love to see your bird...

Care to share your mx bills since the last annual??

I have to remember to stop by to see you on one of my next trips. Would love to see your bird...