2005 TBM 700 C2 with steam gauges for 1.8 million or a 2008 Cessna Mustang with G 1000 for 1.7 million. Which on would you buy?

TBM



Unless you really want/need a jet. Then I'd take the jet.

What if you were flying more over water, mountainous terrain, hard IFR?

Two engines. Faster. Better panel. Why not the Mustang?

Mustang hands down. You are flying a Bo with the G1000 now. Why would you want to go back in time?

Turning two engines is fun. Would definitely be choosing the twin:-)

Even though turbines are far more reliable, I still like the idea of two engines. How do the operating costs compare?

Turbines fail also! I would chose the twin over a single. I wouldn't even chose the single turbine over a Baron.

Where do you intend to land most?

The TBM wins if you are going in/out of short airports a lot. Otherwise I don't see much of an advantage.

For reasons of cost, sure. For reliability, thanks but I'll take the turbine single every time.

Different planes for different missions.

First, a 2005 TBM 700C2 can be purchased in the $1.6-1.65m range.

-I use a lot of short runways of 3-3500 ft in Canada, a little short in the Mustang.
-The Mustang as no reversers on the engines.
-less range in the Mustang, ask the TBMs that went around the world with a couple of Mustangs, the Mustangs had to do an extra stop earlier for fuel.
-you will burn more fuel for the same trips, here is what a friend of mine told me after he sold his TBM for a Mustang:

So far, on my short 1 hour trips, it has been 50% more fuel for the same trip. My milk run used to take 140 gallons round trip in the TBM and now it takes 200 gallons in the Mustang. So pretty close to 50%. The long trips start to get more efficient, but I haven't done a lot of them yet. Fuel burn does get down to 69-74 gph up high, but I rarely get up there on my short legs. Usually end up flying at FL320-360.

-operating costs is quit a bit more for an extra engine to feed and maintain.
-you will need a type rating in a Mustang and a lot more training yearly.

Ive flown the Mustang and its a good aircraft if you operate out of 5000 ft runway all the time and dont need the range of a TBM.
If you want to fly a jet then there is no discussion...

Mission will be changing for the next couple of years. Oldest starting at Penn State next year. So trips from KIKK (south of Chicago) to State College over big rocks, at night good old Midwest winters etc. I like the idea of twin redundancy. I think the TBM's are awesome. I was surprised that the acquisition costs were similar between both birds?

Maybe the fact that the acquisition is very close may tell you a little about how good that C2 really is!

I hear ya! I really think the TBM is the perfect plane. I just think that second engine would make me feel better. Albeit, with increased cost, more training and need of a type rating.

Kankakee to State College, you'll never notice the flight time difference (unless you look at the checkbook) Very nice airplane to fly with very nice manners (flys like a Bonanza, except for that little 100Kt cruise difference).