Less than 200hrs as VFR C172 pilot without any endorsment (high alt, complex, heavy, none), long time no flying & currently planning on buy a twin, (C340B or 58P) to fly midland flat low terrain and occasionally mid distances to nearby countries (beaches) with family or friends. I know this is not the place to look for any suggestion in favor of the cessna family, but I have to. Budget no more than 200k and looking for RAM and panel as flat as possible, pressurization, K ice, AP coupled, AACC, minimum 1000 hrs. remaining..
Thank you for your advises,
Regards
JEC

"And panel as flat as possible"......cultural difference here I bet.

Welcome! Where in South America are you?

I'd start looking at controller, aso, and TAP. Make a spreadsheet on price, performance, etc and go from there. Good luck with your hunt!

http://www.controller.com/default.asp?GUID=
http://www.aso.com/
http://www.trade-a-plane.com/

Welcome to BT.

Fergit the Cessna; get a Twin Bonanza! (Though I consider them enough of a cultural heritage to dislike seeing any leave the U.S.)

Cultural difference: yes, a lot... panel speaking: I was talking about as much glass panel (less mechanical gauges) as I can fit in my budget, not panel dimensions.

I´m from Paraguay (SGAS), I did that and here are my two finalist:

BARON P58
http://www.controller.com/listingsdetai ... 180774.htm?

CESSNA 340A
http://www.controller.com/listingsdetai ... 204803.htm?

Thank you for your responses, will be very helpful...

JEC

Bienvenido Jorge,

My first question would be why pressurization? It will cost you more to buy, to maintain and to insure particularly with your hours. From what you are saying, it appears you will not be dealing with high terrain. It would help you get better feedback form this site if you give more details on you missions. E.g. where, how long, over water? Mountains? Why are you asking for Ice if you seem to be operating in South Florida and LAtAM?
The 200K budget is on the low side for a blinged out 340 as well as a P58. However, If you are willing to live without pressurization (and perhaps K ice), that 200K will go a whole lot further.

Hola Victor,
Thanks, first I want to highlight on my lack of hours and knowledge so blame that and let me explain under my best understanding:
pressurization because flying the FL´s I think will be keeping me above most nasty weather, quieter, fresher and smoother air, above crowded VFR´s in a non controlled airspace, and considering trips of 2 or 3 hours and taking in thought the 20 to 25 minutes to climb to FL025 seems fine, also I will try to rent the plane for business trips in order to help me with my costs.
The K ice I think is a must if I try to fly the FLevels, not only in LAtAM, also in South Fla. but again I don´t know from experience, just a few AOPA and flying magazines reading... If I discard the pressurization I will probably do the same with the K.ice equipment.
Regards,
JEC

+1

I own a 58 and have considered trading it for a pressurized twin. Most of my flying is between Chicago and Miami. While flying at 25K is at times smoother and cooler than at 8 to 12K, I have rarely cancelled a flight simply because I did not have the ability to go to the FL. With respect to Florida weather, the thunderstorm activity, for the most part, consist of afternoon pop-ups. Usually you can navigate around them just make sure you have radar, WX alone is not enough. If you are dealing with thunderstorms, 8K or 25K will not get you above so pressurization is irrelevant.

All in all, pressurization is better but as I said more expensive to buy as well as maintain. I don’t know if the plane will be based in Florida or LatAm but availability of parts can also be an issue down south. As I said before, with a 200K budget, I would go for unpressurised (Ice not needed) and get a later model plane or an airframe/engine with less time.

Your passengers will enjoy the 340's cabin much more than the 58's. However, the 58 flies better than the 340. So, you have to choose your poison wisely. Good luck.