BeechTalk - BT - Aerostar vs C-421C

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Dec 2025, 19:40

Username Protected wrote:

I knew Ted Smith because his mother lived close to my airport and he would fly in to see her in his old Aero Commander 500. I looked carefully at Aerostar’s before I bought my 421C.
I chose the 421C because it’s quiet, had room for my family , the potty ,the short field ability and FIKI.

Both the Aerostar and 421C are great planes providing you buy one with good maintenance and in good condition.

One is a hot rod and the other is the family or Corporate Suburban.

That is correct. It is amazing how well the 421C does despite it size in comparison.

The more I do with Aerostars, the more I respect how talented Ted Smith was.

Are you sure it wasn't a 680 that Ted was flying? His personal plane was a 680 upgraded to a 680E.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Dec 2025, 20:26

Username Protected wrote:

I knew Ted Smith because his mother lived close to my airport and he would fly in to see her in his old Aero Commander 500. I looked carefully at Aerostar’s before I bought my 421C.
I chose the 421C because it’s quiet, had room for my family , the potty ,the short field ability and FIKI.

Both the Aerostar and 421C are great planes providing you buy one with good maintenance and in good condition.

One is a hot rod and the other is the family or Corporate Suburban.

That is correct. It is amazing how well the 421C does despite it size in comparison.

The more I do with Aerostars, the more I respect how talented Ted Smith was.

Are you sure it wasn't a 680 that Ted was flying? His personal plane was a 680 upgraded to a 680E.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Dec 2025, 18:04

Anyone know the hours required for an Aerostar annual inspection?

I have 42 hrs for a Baron
60 for a 421c
? For an Aerostar

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Dec 2025, 18:47

Nothing major in this years annual, replaced some static wicks, rebuilt one master cylinder.
2025: 81 hrs total.
2024 75hrs. (fixed more things but less hours go figure...)
2023 79 hrs
2022 79 hrs.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Dec 2025, 23:16

Username Protected wrote:

Nothing major in this years annual, replaced some static wicks, rebuilt one master cylinder.
2025: 81 hrs total.
2024 75hrs. (fixed more things but less hours go figure...)
2023 79 hrs
2022 79 hrs.

Would your numbers be total of Annual Inspection plus agreed-upon repairs? Seem to be higher than I would expect just for the inspection.

G Stull

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Dec 2025, 03:56

Username Protected wrote:

Leaning towards a 700 superstar but am also interested in the 421. I know the 421 has more room inside and geared engines but what are pros and cons between the two? Mission is 760nm trips with occasional 350nm trips. Want to make the 760nm trip without a stop.

Brian,
For what its worth, I owned a C421C, 1981 vintage for 4 years which I recently sold, and I regret selling it. It was a wonderful airplane. I flew a trip many times very similar to your mission requirement, being FTW to PRC. The family loved the plane as I did. Quiet, smooth, reliable. Westbound we stopped for a break at ROW, and eastbound we generally climbed up to FL240, caught a tailwind and went nonstop. 215-225 KTAS depending on weight a temp at 65% power, 45gph.
The engines, although bad mouthed by some, were great. They started, hot or cold, and in 4 years my biggest maintenance problem was 1 cracked cylinder, which was a 3 week grounding. I used a shop in Waco exclusively that only works on twin Cessnas, and was very happy with their work.
I won't comment on the 700 Superstar, as I've never flown it. I can only say the C421C cabin is great.

Chris C.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Dec 2025, 04:13

Excellent thread. You guys know so much. Articulate too!

Had a friend once tell me the Aerostar was so small you had to get out to change you mind. Always thought that was hilarious.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Dec 2025, 09:02

>Would your numbers be total of Annual Inspection plus agreed-upon repairs? Seem to be
>higher than I would expect just for the inspection.

Yes that was the total billable hours for inspection + repairs. Also includes oil changes on both sides, don't have numbers for just inspection.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Dec 2025, 10:52

Brian,
For what its worth, I owned a C421C, 1981 vintage for 4 years which I recently sold, and I regret selling it. It was a wonderful airplane. I flew a trip many times very similar to your mission requirement, being FTW to PRC. The family loved the plane as I did. Quiet, smooth, reliable. Westbound we stopped for a break at ROW, and eastbound we generally climbed up to FL240, caught a tailwind and went nonstop. 215-225 KTAS depending on weight a temp at 65% power, 45gph.
The engines, although bad mouthed by some, were great. They started, hot or cold, and in 4 years my biggest maintenance problem was 1 cracked cylinder, which was a 3 week grounding. I used a shop in Waco exclusively that only works on twin Cessnas, and was very happy with their work.
I won't comment on the 700 Superstar, as I've never flown it. I can only say the C421C cabin is great.

Chris C.[/quote]

Appreciate that feedback

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Dec 2025, 10:57

Username Protected wrote:

Excellent thread. You guys know so much. Articulate too!

Had a friend once tell me the Aerostar was so small you had to get out to change you mind. Always thought that was hilarious.

That’s funny, that’s how I feel in the Baron

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Dec 2025, 19:08

Username Protected wrote:

Excellent thread. You guys know so much. Articulate too!

Had a friend once tell me the Aerostar was so small you had to get out to change you mind. Always thought that was hilarious.

Didn't you sit in mine when it was up there and Jeff was working on it?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Dec 2025, 20:03

Username Protected wrote:

Excellent thread. You guys know so much. Articulate too!

Had a friend once tell me the Aerostar was so small you had to get out to change you mind. Always thought that was hilarious.

Didn't you sit in mine when it was up there and Jeff was working on it?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Dec 2025, 20:24

Username Protected wrote:

Leaning towards a 700 superstar but am also interested in the 421. I know the 421 has more room inside and geared engines but what are pros and cons between the two? Mission is 760nm trips with occasional 350nm trips. Want to make the 760nm trip without a stop.

Brian,
For what its worth, I owned a C421C, 1981 vintage for 4 years which I recently sold, and I regret selling it. It was a wonderful airplane. I flew a trip many times very similar to your mission requirement, being FTW to PRC. The family loved the plane as I did. Quiet, smooth, reliable. Westbound we stopped for a break at ROW, and eastbound we generally climbed up to FL240, caught a tailwind and went nonstop. 215-225 KTAS depending on weight a temp at 65% power, 45gph.
The engines, although bad mouthed by some, were great. They started, hot or cold, and in 4 years my biggest maintenance problem was 1 cracked cylinder, which was a 3 week grounding. I used a shop in Waco exclusively that only works on twin Cessnas, and was very happy with their work.
I won't comment on the 700 Superstar, as I've never flown it. I can only say the C421C cabin is great.

Chris C.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Dec 2025, 09:22

That’s a very good point Jim. No free lunch as they say. Having a lot of room is nice but will slow you down or you need more power to move

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Dec 2025, 10:30

Username Protected wrote:

Given Chris C's numbers for the 421, I would say the Aerostar 700 is 20 to 30 knots faster in cruise at the same fuel flow. An Aerostar 700 also climbs at 140 indicated and will maintain 1500 ft/min going through FL 190. I don't know of any other pressurized piston twin or even many turboprops that will out climb the 700 Aerostar. The Aerostar cabin is 3 to 4 inches wider than the Baron in the front seat and 10 inches wider than the back seat. Once you have enough room in the cabin, extra room is all drag. Today, a flight in the 700 Aerostar from KFTW to KPRC at FL240 with a 15 knot headwind is 3 hrs 27 minutes and you land with one hr. or 45 gal remaining. If you throttle back to 228 KTAS the flight takes 11 minutes longer and saves 16 gal. Once the cabin is big enough having a wider cabin costs a lot of speed.

The 601P/SS700 I had will smoke a 421C on almost every performance metric. Speed, efficiency, climb, etc. I personally enjoying passing King Air's in my Aerostar.

I've said it before, and will say it again. The only reason I sold it is I needed the larger cabin for charity flying. Normal folks had no issues with the cabin. When trying to load folks with physical issues, the Aerostar was a little more difficult. Right now, I almost wish I had it back as it would make trips that I can't make non-stop in my 414. But, the 414 sale should be complete in the next two weeks and I made an offer on a 421C last night.