Chase,

I bought the Blackhawk -135As in December 2022, and they were installed in May 2023. About $850k and $70k respectively, and a month. But that was then; now??

Worthwhile upgrade for me because of the climb performance. Even with the inertial separators deployed and carrying some ice, no loss in climb rate until you hit the stops at around FL 240, depending on OAT. And rarely does the ITT even approach the redline of 805.

Round numbers: ROC 1500 fpm average all the way up, cruise 275 KTAS @ FL 250 and 500 pph, for 4 hours with plenty of reserve. You can get over 290 kts true on a cold day, but I'm not in that much of a rush, and I like the ITTs (usually 770); and lower fuel burn.

This is a great thread; it's what pushed me into the 425; and can confirm all that John, Scott, Kelly, David and the rest have written.

Flew 200 hours in the last year, and loving it. She burns more fuel than the 421, but the fuel is cheaper, and she's 65 knots faster. Best of all, no more maintenance fiddling with piston stuff as covered above by James, and no unscheduled maintenance.

Ron

Likely close to 1M to do blackhawk upgrade at this point. Seems fairly difficult for me to justify. If I buy a Cessna 425 with runout engines for 6-700k then pay another 1M for blackhawk upgrade, I'm in it for way more then I could buy a fairly well maintained 441 with mid to low time engines. I would imagine a 425 is cheaper to maintain though. What are others thoughts?

I would think maintenance costs for a 425 and a 441 are similar but I have no real-world experience to prove that.

Don't the Garrett-powered planes come with free ear plugs for everyone within a half a mile of one running on the ramp?

I sold one of the best 441's on the market about six months ago just above those numbers. I've never flown a 425, but I can tell you the airframe on the 441 is a significant improvement over the other twin Cessna's that I've flown. The 441 with -10 (which almost every one not has) is an incredible performing airplane.

IMO, you would be crazy to invest $1.6-1.7M in a 425 when you can get some of the best 441's in that price range and have a better airplane in just about every category.

Or buy a 6500 hour 425 with mid time, first run -135As for $1.1M. That's more apples to apples with buying a 441 with -10s for $1.7M.

Doing the new engine Blackhawk upgrade made financial as well as performance sense for me only because I got an under 4000 hour clean airframe for a very good price.

Ron

This is a good idea, but far easier said than done. Assuming you could find one, it will be more than $1.1. There’s one that meets your description that just sold for $1.4

Scott,

That's good to hear. If you're a current owner anyway, not a buyer!

I did notice that the insurance underwriters didn't kick like last time around over the hull value.

Thanks again for the photos and diagrams for the flow packs last year. Still working great after cleaning and lube.

Ron

Yep, the biggest drawback of 425s is that there weren’t more built.

Scott or Ron can you send me copies of the flow pac info it would be much appreciated.
David