BeechTalk - BT - What do you think of the D-Jet

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Jul 2012, 17:53

Username Protected wrote:

Buying into the latest and greatest trend in aviation is risky. 7 years from now it could be the answer, or an AD ridden turd with no parts support and expensive insurance.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Jul 2012, 19:16

Username Protected wrote:

I agree but look at how much more you get for the few hundred $$ an hour.

KA200 is much faster. Much larger.

What KA200 is much faster than 315kts?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Jul 2012, 21:14

The risk is as much or more about the company than the specific product. My take is that Diamond is a lot less of a risk than any new startup with promises of market domination. The TwinStar wasn't exactly a home run out of the gate, but there are far worse examples of a manufacturer not standing behind a flawed product.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Jul 2012, 21:17

I like Diamond as an airframer.

However, I just don't buy into the VLJ concept in general. The turboprop just makes so much more sense.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Jul 2012, 21:18

None,
KA200 are 250 kts bird, maybe 290 for a BlackHawk modification.

Jason got confused with a TBM 850.

Username Protected wrote:

I agree but look at how much more you get for the few hundred $$ an hour.

KA200 is much faster. Much larger.

What KA200 is much faster than 315kts?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Jul 2012, 22:18

Username Protected wrote:

I like Diamond as an airframer.

However, I just don't buy into the VLJ concept in general. The turboprop just makes so much more sense.

Tyler, why?

A Pilatus and a DJ burn about the same fuel. Both are single engine beasts. Granted, the DJ carries less and is smaller, BUT...

The DJ cruises at 300 (real world?) vs. 250. The DJ costs $2M vs. $4M. Nobody knows about direct and indirect operating costs yet.

Nick

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Jul 2012, 22:34

I'm thinking more along the lines of where and how far you can go with it. Small strip in the Bahamas, or a 3,000' mountain strip get-away, cut across the gulf, that sort of thing. Turboprops are so great on all kinds of runways of all lengths. And they've got great range numbers.

Don't get me wrong, I'm intrigued and lust for a small jet like a D or eclipse or mustang....but if I were to stroke a check I imagine I would migrate toward the turboprops just out of shear utility.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Jul 2012, 22:56

Username Protected wrote:

I agree but look at how much more you get for the few hundred $$ an hour.

KA200 is much faster. Much larger.

What KA200 is much faster than 315kts?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Jul 2012, 22:58

Username Protected wrote:

I agree but look at how much more you get for the few hundred $$ an hour.

KA200 is much faster. Much larger.

What KA200 is much faster than 315kts?[/quote][/quote]

All of the B200's I have flown are all anywhere from (TAS) 265-290 depending on conditions between FL-250 and FL-290. The B200GT with HF gear and Raisebeck mods we have does 280 at FL-350. I think Beech, like all the Mfg's pad their numbers by 20 kts. Real world is never as good as advertised.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Jul 2012, 23:09

Username Protected wrote:

All of the B200's I have flown are all anywhere from (TAS) 265-290 depending on conditions between FL-250 and FL-290. The B200GT with HF gear and Raisebeck mods we have does 280 at FL-350. I think Beech, like all the Mfg's pad their numbers by 20 kts. Real world is never as good as advertised.

My original comparison was a Blackhawk 200.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Jul 2012, 23:10

Username Protected wrote:

I'm thinking more along the lines of where and how far you can go with it. Small strip in the Bahamas, or a 3,000' mountain strip get-away, cut across the gulf, that sort of thing. Turboprops are so great on all kinds of runways of all lengths. And they've got great range numbers.

Don't get me wrong, I'm intrigued and lust for a small jet like a D or eclipse or mustang....but if I were to stroke a check I imagine I would migrate toward the turboprops just out of shear utility.

Exactly why the B200 is so popular. As an EMS pilot, we go into short, 3K foot strips or across the U.S. at FL-350 at 280 kts. Not jet speeds, but for the extra 45 min on a 5 hour leg you sure gain versatility over the jet.

If I were in a position to buy a jet :lol:

spending 2 mil or 2.8 mil at that point is not the issue. If I could have for free any aircraft, and the fuel/maint paid for I would choose a King Air 350 with long range tanks. But that is just me. I would like to fly to just about any strip, but yet go on a 1500 nm leg in the flight levels. And the King Air “could” easily be flown several thousand pounds over gross and only a rube would be able to get it out of CG.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Jul 2012, 23:15

Username Protected wrote:

All of the B200's I have flown are all anywhere from (TAS) 265-290 depending on conditions between FL-250 and FL-290. The B200GT with HF gear and Raisebeck mods we have does 280 at FL-350. I think Beech, like all the Mfg's pad their numbers by 20 kts. Real world is never as good as advertised.

My original comparison was a Blackhawk 200.