OK, good, so it's not just me.

As a recent graduate, that's a "sobering" realization I work hard to fight against.

If any BTer comes to Tulsa, PM me, and I will buy you lunch to look at your airplane (Beech, Piper, or Pilatus!)

John,

I am currently selling a 2005 TBM 700C2 for someone. It is a GREAT airplane. However, I would steer clear of any TBM 700's built prior to 2003. All of those are 700A's and 700B's and have an incredibly low full fuel payload. The full fuel (280 gallon) payload is 467lbs for the 1990 to 1998 models and 307lbs for the 1998 to 2002 models. Once you get into the 2003-2006 700C2's, you will see a boost to 839lbs. Now of course, you can drop the fuel load 100 gallons (670lbs) to boost your useful load quite a bit on those older ones but you will then only have 2 hours of fuel (with a 1 hour reserve), which is about a 500 to 550 mile range (and this doesn't factor in any gas for an alternate, just for a 1 hour reserve).

In my view the sweet spot truly is the 2003-2006 C2's. The 850 is nice but very expensive and the extra cost only gains you 15 knots and a G1000 cockpit.

Let me know if you have any questions on the TBM.

-Neal

What's the asking price on the 2005?

Asking $1,870,000. It is a really nice airplane, fresh annual, always hangared, no damage history, etc. Had its hot section inspection done well ahead of schedule.

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetai ... 172190.htm

Sorry for the thread drift.

-Neal

Asking $1,870,000. It is a really nice airplane, fresh annual, always hangared, no damage history, etc. Had its hot section inspection done well ahead of schedule.

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetai ... 172190.htm

Sorry for the thread drift.

-Neal

F the G1000. Old tech. Get an Ipad.

Asking $1,870,000. It is a really nice airplane, fresh annual, always hangared, no damage history, etc. Had its hot section inspection done well ahead of schedule.

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetai ... 172190.htm

Sorry for the thread drift.

-Neal

It's ok Hector, those were a couple of serious hairballs you had to expunge.

It's ok Hector, those were a couple of serious hairballs you had to expunge.

Hector,

Not everyone is comfortable buying airplanes that are 30 years old with run-out interiors, avionics stacks, and paint jobs. Sure, you can pick up one of those twins for $500k to $700k but did you see what you get for that price? Did you notice that both engines are coming up on overhaul? Remember, the overhaul cost for 2 PT6's or TPE331's is going to be about $500k to $700k for both engines. And of course, with 2 engines you will burn almost twice the gas to get from A to B.

Remember, it isn't all about acquisition cost. There is a lot more that goes into operating an airplane such as insurance, progressive maintenance, overhauls, hot section inspections, etc. I'm not putting down either the MU2 or the Commander. Both are great airplanes. But we are really talking about two different demographics of buyers here. Just like there are people on here who paid $500k to $600k for a G36 instead of spending $200k on an equally as capable A36 that is 25 years older.

-Neal

Hector,

Not everyone is comfortable buying airplanes that are 30 years old with run-out interiors, avionics stacks, and paint jobs. Sure, you can pick up one of those twins for $500k to $700k but did you see what you get for that price? Did you notice that both engines are coming up on overhaul? Remember, the overhaul cost for 2 PT6's or TPE331's is going to be about $500k to $700k for both engines. And of course, with 2 engines you will burn almost twice the gas to get from A to B.

Remember, it isn't all about acquisition cost. There is a lot more that goes into operating an airplane such as insurance, progressive maintenance, overhauls, hot section inspections, etc. I'm not putting down either the MU2 or the Commander. Both are great airplanes. But we are really talking about two different demographics of buyers here. Just like there are people on here who paid $500k to $600k for a G36 instead of spending $200k on an equally as capable A36 that is 25 years older.

-Neal

I thought about starting a thread on this. Maybe I will.

I have loads of friends/acquaintances etc. I invite them with me on trips all the time. Guys trips, couples trips, etc. 99% of they time the either say "no" or the bail at the last second.

Literally, here's how it goes... "Hey guys, let's hop in the plane and fly to Atlantis for the weekend and gamble and party and whatever. Flight is on me".

They reply "Nah, I don't have time". or "Nah, I gotta do this or that", etc.

I'm telling you, I think shows like "Friends" and "Entourage" are just B.S. Fantasy. When it comes down to it, unless it's really planned out and commitments are made way ahead of time, most people don't really want to do anything.

I'll take the TBM.

Turbo Commander? MU2? Wtf?

You know how much those will cost to operate and keep flying compared to a new TBM? Not to mention parts availability, training and insurance. Then, good luck selling it down the road.

"Twins", especially old ones are a dying breed.

Excellent! So we have a deal? Just sign right here....