fair question. Let me try to dig myself into a hole.

Let's say your utilization is 125-300 hrs annually. (arbitrary numbers). The ability to fly past the 600hr or 12mos marker on a lot of items makes ownership a little more spread out. The Phenom schedule is like doing in Cessna world a Doc 10 every 12 mos. I'm not suggesting it costs more or less for one or the other, as I think it eventually comes home to roost regardless, but as CJ operator, i'm glad I don't have to do a Doc 10 every year.

My research shows MX costs on CJ3 v. Phenom 300 the same. If the MX cost is the same who cares? What's being inspected doesn't matter.

Also, you're implying the CJ line was developed for "low utilization" like that's a good thing.

It matters if there are calendar limits on components which don't really need it. At what level of utilization are you showing MX costs to be the same?

I agree with the sentiment that inspections like "600 hours or 1 year" significantly increase per hour operating cost for lower utilization. If nothing else, you have to get the plane to the shop and have them open and close the airplane every year, even if nothing's found. That's not free.

It matters if there are calendar limits on components which don't really need it. At what level of utilization are you showing MX costs to be the same?

I agree with the sentiment that inspections like "600 hours or 1 year" significantly increase per hour operating cost for lower utilization. If nothing else, you have to get the plane to the shop and have them open and close the airplane every year, even if nothing's found. That's not free.

The maintenance cost of the Phenom 300 is actually higher, but that’s ok, it’s more airplane.

This can become a significant difference if you are comparing taking a Phenom 300 to Embraer and the CJ3 to a great shop like Stevens or Elliott... that isn’t Textron.

I’m curious where you found info saying they’re the same?

We often find examples of Socata and Pilatus being less than forecoming about actual maintenance cost, but a Embraer has actually been pretty good... if you want a dollar for dollar comparison just compare their all in program cost with Citations...

Again, the Phenom is actually an upgrade from the CJ3 so IMHO the op cost should be higher.

I agree with what you're implying. The CJ maint program allows those that are low utilization more calendar time. However, the hours limitation and all in cost per hour similar. Your point being cost per hour which is the right way to look at it.

I'll use myself as an example. I fly about 125 hrs annually. Pretty low for a jet, but so be it. A Doc 10 is required every 36 mos, or X number of hours, whichever comes first. I think it's 600 but I might be off a bit. I have some minor inspections to do along the way, but nothing big. If I had to do the Doc10 every year I'd be driven out of the plane. The reality is I'm an outlier and these planes were intended for corporate use with annual utilization higher than 100-125 hours, but........prices of used came down enough that admission became easier. Spreading MX expense over more months keeps the annual costs for me lower.

The maintenance cost of the Phenom 300 is actually higher, but that’s ok, it’s more airplane.

This can become a significant difference if you are comparing taking a Phenom 300 to Embraer and the CJ3 to a great shop like Stevens or Elliott... that isn’t Textron.

I’m curious where you found info saying they’re the same?

We often find examples of Socata and Pilatus being less than forecoming about actual maintenance cost, but a Embraer has actually been pretty good... if you want a dollar for dollar comparison just compare their all in program cost with Citations...

Again, the Phenom is actually an upgrade from the CJ3 so IMHO the op cost should be higher.

Which 525 do you own? They're not all the same.

just a 525 (straight CJ) with G1000

If all 5252's are the same aren't they all "straight CJ"?

525 = CJ1, M2, 2, 2+, 3, 4 right?

almost.

the original CJ was just that, called the CJ with 525 designation. Then came the CJ1 when they moved to RC Proline 21, otherwise same airplane. CJ1+ was same airplane as CJ1 with Fadec.

So the MX requirements on a straight CJ is the same for every CJ in the line? If so, shouldn't all cost the same? If not, what's the difference if they're all the same?

yes, the schedules are the same with a few exceptions as the airplanes evolved and different avionics may have different inspection elements.

What make the CJ's more appealing to me, being a lower utilization operator is that ANNUALLY, i don't have to budget or spend as much money because I don't hit the big inspection trigger (Doc10) annually.

In the Phenoms, you hit the big one every year, or 600 hrs, whichever comes first. If you fly that many hours annually, or close, then it's all the same, or similar.

On per hour basis, thing between the CJ's and Phenoms should be relatively similar.

If they own it personally, personal use, personal money used for the operation budget.

If they own it personally, personal use, personal money used for the operation budget.