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Opinions on Cessna 340, 414 and 421



 
 
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  #1  
Old March 30th 04, 09:13 PM
john szpara
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Default Opinions on Cessna 340, 414 and 421

I'm considering buying a plane, and have decided to go with a twin. I
understand that there will be more maintenance costs over a single,
but I like the safety margin of the second engine. I also like the
idea of pressurization, because we have some high mountains out here
on the west coast. It would be nice to fly over them at a safe
altitude, and I would also like to be able to get on top of most of
the weather.

I'd like to hear opinions on the 340, 414, and 421. A former commecial
pilot recommended the 340 or 414 to me. He said the 421 is good, but
has some kind of gear drive that could make maintenance more
expensive.

Also, I'd like opinions on the engine out performance and handling.
I'm told some twins are more difficult than others when an engine is
out.

John Szpara
Affordable Satellite
Fiero Owner 2-84 Indy Pace cars, 86 Coupe, 88 Formula 3.4, 88 Coupe, 88GT
  #2  
Old March 30th 04, 09:30 PM
Peter R.
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Default

john szpara ) wrote:

snip
I'd like to hear opinions on the 340, 414, and 421. A former commecial
pilot recommended the 340 or 414 to me. He said the 421 is good, but
has some kind of gear drive that could make maintenance more
expensive.

Also, I'd like opinions on the engine out performance and handling.
I'm told some twins are more difficult than others when an engine is
out.


I don't have any experience to offer but I have been catching news items
about the probable release of a very expensive spar AD for the Cessna 400
series. There is also speculation that this spar AD might involve other
Cessna twins, too. Read a couple of news items he

http://www.avweb.com/newswire/10_12a.../186888-1.html

http://www.avweb.com/newswire/10_12a.../186889-1.html




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Peter












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  #3  
Old March 30th 04, 10:03 PM
jsmith
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This was going to be my response. I wouldn't invest any money in a
Cessna twin until the AD becomes final and I know what aircraft are
involved and how much it is going to cost to comply. Cessna Twins may
become very inexpensive in the near future.

"Peter R." wrote:
I don't have any experience to offer but I have been catching news items
about the probable release of a very expensive spar AD for the Cessna 400
series. There is also speculation that this spar AD might involve other
Cessna twins, too. Read a couple of news items he

  #4  
Old March 31st 04, 01:02 AM
john szpara
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On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 21:03:01 GMT, jsmith wrote:

Thanks for the heads up. I've been browsing ads, and see that some say
"not affected by upcoming AD" or some such things, but it's looking
like all Cessna twins might go that route.

This was going to be my response. I wouldn't invest any money in a
Cessna twin until the AD becomes final and I know what aircraft are
involved and how much it is going to cost to comply. Cessna Twins may
become very inexpensive in the near future.


John Szpara
Affordable Satellite
Fiero Owner 2-84 Indy Pace cars, 86 Coupe, 88 Formula 3.4, 88 Coupe, 88GT
  #5  
Old March 31st 04, 03:00 AM
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On Wed, 31 Mar 2004 00:02:34 GMT, john szpara
wrote:

On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 21:03:01 GMT, jsmith wrote:

Thanks for the heads up. I've been browsing ads, and see that some say
"not affected by upcoming AD" or some such things, but it's looking
like all Cessna twins might go that route.


snip

Talked to a big Cessna piston operator/maintainer recently (he had
just returned from meetings with da Feds).

He's got his first 400 series in the shop right now. During
inspection, found 4 non-standard rivets in the fitting immediately
outboard of the wing attach.

The consensus from the meeting was that about 40% of the aircraft that
have been inspected have found similiar serious maintenance-induced
spar/wing attach problems (wrong hardware, post-assembly holes
mis-drilled, or drilled in critical areas), but no inherent
age-related structural problems.

It's going to happen, it's going to be expensive, and no one knows for
sure where it is going to stop (in regards to applicability).

This is a critical issue for continued airworthiness of ALL twin GA
aircraft. Last time I checked, no one was manufacturing a new like
replacement for a medium recip twin (300- 400- series Cessnas, 31-
Pipers, etc.).

TC

  #6  
Old March 31st 04, 06:07 AM
Dude
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Hmm, You raise an interesting point. Why is it that no one is making those
planes anymore? Does everyone want turbine singles and twins instead?

I have seen that convrting the 421 to a turbine is becoming popular.

I know that turbines are safer than pistons, but I always believed that the
difference in accidents between the turbine and piston twins was more a
matter of training than engine reliability.



  #7  
Old March 31st 04, 06:20 AM
One's Too Many
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If I were rich enough to afford a twin, I would like to buy a P337
Skymaster, not a 3xx or 4xx. Nasty wing AD hammer about to drop on the
heads of the owners of Cessna "conventional" prop twins. Oh, and if I
win the lottery, the only other Cessna twin I'd have would be a
Citation of course :-)
  #8  
Old March 31st 04, 08:56 AM
Craig
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john szpara wrote in message ws.com...
I'm considering buying a plane, and have decided to go with a twin. I
understand that there will be more maintenance costs over a single,
but I like the safety margin of the second engine. I also like the
idea of pressurization, because we have some high mountains out here
on the west coast. It would be nice to fly over them at a safe
altitude, and I would also like to be able to get on top of most of
the weather.


John: you might also want to take a look at the Commander series too.
Some are pressurized and some not, but all have great usefull loads
and excellent performance numbers. Seating is available for up to 11,
with decent range. From what I remember when I had a demo flight years
ago in a 520, an engine out situation was pretty ho-hum....dial in a
little trim, set the numbers and run the checklist. Yes, they do have
one real big AD on the spar, but the inspection requirements have a
considerable time spacing as to when it has to be done. Geared engines
are not that big of a deal to operate with as long as you learn the
proper procedures and follow them.

For lots more info, visit www.aerocommander.com.
I've got a 680 that I'm about to go retrieve and start a ground up
restoration/overhaul/update. It's been in storage since the late 70's
and hasn't had any changes since the day it rolled off the assembly
line in '57.

Craig C.

  #9  
Old March 31st 04, 08:57 AM
john szpara
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John: you might also want to take a look at the Commander series too.
Some are pressurized and some not, but all have great usefull loads
and excellent performance numbers. Seating is available for up to 11,
with decent range. From what I remember when I had a demo flight years
ago in a 520, an engine out situation was pretty ho-hum....dial in a
little trim, set the numbers and run the checklist. Yes, they do have
one real big AD on the spar, but the inspection requirements have a
considerable time spacing as to when it has to be done. Geared engines
are not that big of a deal to operate with as long as you learn the
proper procedures and follow them.


Thanks for the tip.

I don't need to take any more than 6 people, and one reason why I like
the 400 series is that you can install (or there is already) a potty
onboard. That will make life easier on the wife and passengers on
longer trips. I hope to eliminate (most) airline travel with whatever
plane I get. Can you do that in any Commander?

John Szpara
Affordable Satellite
Fiero Owner 2-84 Indy Pace cars, 86 Coupe, 88 Formula 3.4, 88 Coupe, 88GT
  #10  
Old March 31st 04, 09:00 AM
john szpara
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A couple more commander questions. My best case scenario has the
following parameters:

1. Cruising speed 200+ kts (not just at the flight levels)
2. cabin class
3. potty
4. pressurized
5. price around $150k, +/- 20k
6. ceiling above FL240

Do any Commanders fit the profile?

John Szpara
Affordable Satellite
Fiero Owner 2-84 Indy Pace cars, 86 Coupe, 88 Formula 3.4, 88 Coupe, 88GT
 




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