Idk about post-covid, but F model mu2’s used to be similarly priced to 414/421

Fuel cost/nm also similar

Mu-2F $299k
https://www.controller.com/listing/for- ... p-aircraft

I was over the Grand Canyon last month also in the MU-2F at FL250. 60kts faster on 58gph total. No cylinders to worry about, no magnetos either. Engines just spin at 96%rpm and EGT at 500. Oil changes, every 900 hours. TBO 5400 hours with hot sections at 1800 hours. No magnetos to time, no exhaust system to inspect, no turbochargers to fail, no cylinders or cases to crack...much simpler and more reliable powerplants. I had this debate with myself on pressurized twins, the MU-2F won and for good reason. It is a much more capable aircraft than any pressurized piston twin, period. The cost per mile for a 421 and my plane were close when I ran the numbers looking at a purchase. The hassle factor is not close, you just fly the plane between 100hr inspections. My plane has spent zero time in the shop for engine or airframe issues since Sept 2020 and 210 hrs flying time. It has covered more ground in that time than a 421 would as well.

If you’re talking cruise numbers vs block numbers, the Mustang does 335kts on 75gph in cruise.

335/75=4.47 nm/gal
1/4.47=0.22 gal/nm x $5 = $1.12/nm

Ok. I see you edited it from 95gph to 75gph. 330 is a bit slower than norm, but close. I usually see 335-340 depending on temp.

It doesn't have:
- 8 seats (or 6 seats with large pressurized rear baggage)
- a potty
- huge nose baggage

Those are a deal breaker for me.

Now a Solitaire, maybe. But I'd probably lean 441 in that class.

I was over the Grand Canyon last month also in the MU-2F at FL250. 60kts faster on 58gph total. No cylinders to worry about, no magnetos either. Engines just spin at 96%rpm and EGT at 500. Oil changes, every 900 hours. TBO 5400 hours with hot sections at 1800 hours. No magnetos to time, no exhaust system to inspect, no turbochargers to fail, no cylinders or cases to crack...much simpler and more reliable powerplants. I had this debate with myself on pressurized twins, the MU-2F won and for good reason. It is a much more capable aircraft than any pressurized piston twin, period. The cost per mile for a 421 and my plane were close when I ran the numbers looking at a purchase. The hassle factor is not close, you just fly the plane between 100hr inspections. My plane has spent zero time in the shop for engine or airframe issues since Sept 2020 and 210 hrs flying time. It has covered more ground in that time than a 421 would as well.

Mu-2F $299k
https://www.controller.com/listing/for- ... p-aircraft

Not sure what you mean. The Solitaire IS a short body Mits. The short body’s can be outfitted with 8 seats. You can have a potty but I’ve never seen one that had it. There is a large heated/pressurized baggage compartment aft of the cabin with a separate door and another very large unpressurized/unheated compartment on the other side as well as space behind and above the rear bench. No nose baggage compartment though.

I bring a toilet with cat litter in it if someone expects to use such a device on flights over 4 hours.

I have flown 1570 miles and landed with 100 gallons (yes, with a tailwind, but still quite a ways).

I’m usually at 305 to 315 and have seen 330 in cruise on a cold day. And much like the gentleman in the F model, in 5 years of ownership averaging about 250 to 275 hour per year, I interrupted one trip for a crack in the windshield and I had a flat tire once, otherwise nothing. There is no comparison in the reliability of a pressurized piston twin and that of a similar turbine aircraft (at least not in my experience comparing Aerostars and Mitsubishis). I’ve flown a lot in a 421 also…great plane, but it lost an engine too…maybe it’s me? But I wasn’t piloting the plane, just riding along.

That MU-2 has been listed for sale for months, if not a year. If it hasn't sold in that period of time, there is something wrong with it...or it's not really for sale...