Fly Commercial. Let someone else make the decision so you stay alive.
The have to get there mentality leads to a grave.
Michelle

O. Sami Saydjari wrote:



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





--

Michelle P ATP-ASEL, CP-AMEL, and AMT-A&P

"Elisabeth" a Maule M-7-235B (no two are alike)

Volunteer Pilot, Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic

Volunteer Builder, Habitat for Humanity