Non-RVSM is up to and including FL280.

There are certification rules that get more stringent for airframes certified over 25000'. So maybe they got some kind of ELOS on those rules, I don't know. But if they did, then why stop at RVSM?


I define "mythical" as any airplane which I cannot write a check for and "drive off the lot" today. Sure, they are flying prototypes and hiring people, but lots of airplanes have gotten to that point but not crossed the finish line.

You don't like the Beechcraft-like V-tail look?

"The owners I've talked to running same Turbo Commander I've just bought are seeing around $550-650/hr in operating costs. That's for a turboprop twin. I doubt a single engine jet should cost much more than that, depending on how you play the game."

Hahahahahaha!

You're about to get a few lessons in turbine economics. Double that and MAYBE a perfectly MXed bird with no hangar, no insurance, no pilot training, and no engine reserve that has no MX issues at all might cost that.

As to the comment about the skill involved to fly an MU2, my phone number is 919.924.8259 and I have two "killer airplanes" (the other one is a deadly Aerostar; yikes! Lol) If you'll pay for the gas, I'll happily show you how easy these magnificent aircraft are to fly and how safe they really are. I'm not exactly the ace of the base over here either.

Jason, what's your average cost per year on aviation running the PC12? How many hours do you fly it?

I can show my PC12 costing me $600 an hour to operate @ 250-300 hours a year.

But I just tell myself $1000 per hour to keep "justification" straight in my head.

I'm also the guy who does NOT include "cost of money". PC12 has gone up in value since I bought mine.

These are all more reasons not to look at it on an hourly basis which I admittedly do also.

Interesting.

What's a hots cost on that Pratt? How about an OH? What's the TBO?

Non-mandatory for Part 91.

Craig, your numbers are based on Eagle Creek/Naples Jet Center numbers. It's not reality. You like fancy and new, I know you. They're a great place, do great work, but you can't even drop the plane off there without a minimum double digit cost. It's like servicing your old 190E at Mercedes of Beverly Hills.

I serviced my old Commander (and will this one) at the guy who knows the most about these in the world, probably. His shop rate is $45/hr. He'll find you a used part, not a new part. And when one can't be found, he'll overhaul one or have one built.

They are just worlds apart in cost.

Non-mandatory for Part 91.

I can show my PC12 costing me $600 an hour to operate @ 250-300 hours a year.

265TAS in Summer. 275TAS in winter.

I'm buying JetA at about $3.50 a gallon nowadays now that I got CAA. I carry $25MM in insurance so my insurance premium is higher than average. So you can see how quoting hourly is gonna be all over the board.

Gotta love that CAA. Love, love, love that CAA, lol.

That Pilatus is a seriously nice bird with some very long legs, I just don't have the balls to fight any kind of WX or cross hostile terrain with one motor. I'm not trying to get the twin vs. single thing going again, it's just my comfort level. From a financial perspective, Im interested in getting clear picture of what other birds cost to operate. Here's my thinking on the Pilatus: OHs and hots are about twice as much on the big Pratt as they are on a little -10. I have a hot at 3500 and a OH at 7000. I'm guessing it's a wash. I could be wrong; it's just back of the envelope. I'm a little faster, but I must burn a lot more gas. What's the fuel burn on the Pilatus at FL270? I'm drinking ~480pph doing ~305KTAS at +10 ISA, can't say yet about colder temps. It takes me ~350lbs. to get to FL270.

Adam, I hope you're right. That said, this is my third turbine. They don't break often, but when they do, $$$, and Cheyennes are cheaper to fix than Commanders. I think you'll love your TC, but I think you're drinking some serious Coolaid about the cost. Ah, screw it. You can't take it with you.

For us lonely piston pilots, what's "CAA"

It's a jet fuel buying club.

$3.50!?!

We never got that low on the Citation. Is CAA really that good?

You gotta join to find out. They have a free trial going on now. Check it out. Different at every airport. I've been very happy so far. Their prices are copyright so can't be posted.