Mike Rapoport wrote:

Considering the requirement of 250kts or better there are no piston
airplanes to consider. No turboprop will meet the $200/hr requirement. I
doubt that a pressurized piston twin will meet the $200/hr requirment either
You can get the range, speed, load hauling and altitude if you spend more on
operating cost or you can get the stated operating and aqusition cost if you
are willing to go 200kts.instead of 250.

Well, perhaps I can back-off on the operating costs a bit. Any idea on
how far i would have to back-off to make my speed goal?


Keep in mind that you are going to spend about $5000 a year on training and
over $10,000 (maybe $20K) on insurance. If you fly 100hrs a year (25,000 nm
of travel, a lot), then insurance and training will cost $150/hr.

Wow, interesting. I did not imagine insureance would be quite that much.


There is a point of rapidly dimishing returns on going faster. The cost
goes up geometrically and the time saved goes down less than linearly
because of taxi and approach speed restrictions.

Yes, but for long trips, like mine, it seems worth it. For a 1-2 hour
trip, I can definitely see your point, but for 4-5 hour trips, it seems
that the trip time savings is significant.

I would focus on more
weather capability (two engines, radar, known ice) and take whatever speed
that comes with the package.

Yes. Good points. Known ice will be key for me. For business travel,
I need to be able to go when I need to go.


Mike
MU-2


"O. Sami Saydjari" wrote in message
...

I now own a PA28R201T, Piper Turbo Arrow III. It is a great plane
(although, as some of you know, I have had more than my share of
"challenges"). At altitude it cruises at 170 knots. Cost to operate is
around $90/hour (figuring maintenance and such). My range requirement is
660nm with 45 minutes of fuel left offer. I most often fly it single-pilot
IFR. Lately, I have begun thinking about the next step up, which I am
planning for 2 years from now...but one can't start too early to consider
options. So, here are my goals.

Range: 600nm with IFR reserve
Speed: 250 knots or better
Ceiling: 25,000 or better (Pressurized Cabin)
Passengers: 4 seater
Operating Cost: Would prefer round trip, 1320nm, cost less than $1000
Budget: $500K

Suggestions would be most welcome. I would like to narrow the search down
to 2 or 3 that comes as close as possible to my requirements. Is a
turbo-prop out of the question? Thanks in advance.

-Sami
N2057M, Piper Turbo Arrow III