Step-up Planning

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.

To look at it from another perspective, if you figure that cost is about 3X
fuel then you have $67hr to spend on fuel/hr which is only about 26GPH.
nothing will take four people 600nm with reserves at 250kts on 26GPH.

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.

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

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