I just meant that saying that you landed on a 421 but that the Meridian also suits the mission seems like a contradiction in terms because they have different capabilities. The early Meridians have relatively low payload if you fill up the 170 gallon tanks on most you've got about 500 lbs to work with and the cabin is much smaller. For a family of 4 who is relatively small and packs light and not going too far it could work very well... but the 421 is going to haul a lot more and is much more spacious. People don't usually compare the two because if you need a 421 then the Meridian just isn't going to work, but if a Meridian will work you don't need a 421.

Just to reiterate what others have said, if the Meridian meets your useful load and space requirements I, would choose it over the 421. I have been in the 421 for almost 2 years now and we are just finally getting caught up on deferred maintenance. They are awesome airplanes when everything is operational, kinda like jack of all trades, master of none; roomy, fast enough, above most weather, can fly low if winds dictate, redundancy of 2 engines, very quiet cabin, tons of space and mine has 2450lbs useful load. But, dispatch reliability and maintenance costs are not their strong suits in my experience so far. I'm hoping that improves now that we've caught up on maintenance. Anyway all that said, if I could make the Meridian work, I would.

I agree with most but not all of what’s been said. I have a friend who has a 421C and absolutely loves it. I used to own a meridian and loved it. I’m 6’0” and fit in the cockpit just fine, it was tight but comfortable. Did many very long trips with ease. 4.5 hours from Punta Cana to Ft pierce nonstop. Napa to home in KY with one easy lunch stop in Denver. I’ve done two couples with 2 golf bags and luggage. I’ve done 6 adults to the Bahamas for a week with only stop from KY to Abacos. Granted I was the largest adult at 165lbs but it was done and everyone was comfortable and thankfully packed light. We never once had an AOG issue. Sit in both, read a ton about both, I’m sure you’d love both aircraft. I miss it! But I’m more in love with my MU2 now

421C has a quieter, much larger cabin and you will learn more about twin cessna systems than you ever wanted to know and so will your mechanic. Meridian will be more boring.

If you have a great local shop I would get the 421, the cabin is really a different class compared to a Meridian. If you really need to get from A to B with as little fuss as possible, I’d get the Meridian. You may spend the same at the end of 10 years (probably favoring the Meridian by some amount), but the dispatch reliability will definitely favor the Meridian.

If you go 421, I’d only do it if you can find one that the previous owner was fastidious about, or go the opposite and get one run out where you know you’ll need to put $400,000 into. We’ve had a couple of 6 figure years, which is what I’d advise any pressurized legacy twin owner can expect if the previous owner only fixed stuff when it broke.

What has the cabin size and redundancy of a 421C, the turbine reliability of a Meridian, the ruggedness of an airliner, and goes way faster than both of them?

C'mon, you know the answer.

Mike C.

And can match their fuel efficiency:

441

Phenom?

The nicest turboprop out there, IMO. Fast, long range, smooth. But much $$$ to get, and a bit lightly built.

But no, not the answer I was looking for, but getting closer.

Mike C.

I assume a jet is not in play.

Can get some for very low prices, though. 501SP for example. Got to bring the money for operating expense, though.

Mike C.

The nicest turboprop out there, IMO. Fast, long range, smooth. But much $$$ to get, and a bit lightly built.

But no, not the answer I was looking for, but getting closer.

Mike C.

The nicest turboprop out there, IMO. Fast, long range, smooth. But much $$$ to get, and a bit lightly built.

But no, not the answer I was looking for, but getting closer.

Mike C.

Ouch! Our Meridian was a 2008 Avidyne, and our average annual was $10,000.

Solitaire with -10 engines. or a Marquise if you need a lot of room.

Not usually.

The switch to turbine seems to have collateral benefits to all aircraft systems and improve reliability. The lack of vibration for piston engines could be the reason. Or maybe the turbines are just cared for better. They do have a different inspection/maintenance program. Fuel and electrical systems tend to be more robustly designed as well.

I've heard that JetProps (Malibus converted to turbine) have greatly reduced maintenance after the engine change, perhaps substantiating the collateral benefits to aircraft systems from the reduced vibration.

Having flown turbine for the last 14 years, I'll give up a second engine before I go back to pistons.

Mike C.

Airliner? That’s the Merlin IIIC.