Main problem with s550 is with full fuel it’s a pilot and 1 toothbrush airplane

You are way more qualified than I was when doing the transition. You will have no trouble getting insurance and an SPE.


The jet rarely spends much time in icing conditions. I haven't really needed my boots yet at all. The best icing equipment is two turbofans.


Wingspan 52.5 ft
Length 47.2 ft
Height 15.0 ft

Your hangar door is easy, lots of clearance.

My plane is basically the same but a big longer by slightly over 2 ft.


Pratt JT15D has a number of independent shops out there, so you don't have to deal with Pratt directly. Nearly all JT15D are not on programs.

Williams FJ44 can only have major engine work done by Williams. You are at their mercy and they have been leveraging that more recently. Nearly all FJ44 are on programs.

If you are at all considering shorter runways, or wet/snow/ice runways, you want TRs.

Mike C.

They seem to weigh about 9000 lbs on average. That leaves 6300 lbs useful load to ramp weight, or 500 lbs full fuel, which is not a lot.

But you can go a long way on less than full fuel, longer than any 501. You'd rarely top off an SII.

A Garmin panel upgrade, with dead wire stripping, probably lowers their weight by 300 lbs, so that would be useful.

My V dropped 380 lbs with the upgrade. I'll get another 100 lbs with a digital autopilot when that becomes available.

Mike C.

You are way more qualified than I was when doing the transition. You will have no trouble getting insurance and an SPE.


The jet rarely spends much time in icing conditions. I haven't really needed my boots yet at all. The best icing equipment is two turbofans.


Wingspan 52.5 ft
Length 47.2 ft
Height 15.0 ft

Your hangar door is easy, lots of clearance.

My plane is basically the same but a big longer by slightly over 2 ft.


Pratt JT15D has a number of independent shops out there, so you don't have to deal with Pratt directly. Nearly all JT15D are not on programs.

Williams FJ44 can only have major engine work done by Williams. You are at their mercy and they have been leveraging that more recently. Nearly all FJ44 are on programs.

If you are at all considering shorter runways, or wet/snow/ice runways, you want TRs.

Mike C.

Thanks for all the info. Good to hear it from real people out there using the equipment in real world situations. Will have to work all the various ideas and see what might be best.

Gents, they left me in here by myself. I’ve got 10 minutes. What do ya’ll need?

Starman Mesa? What a playground that place is.

What a shame there are no parts available for those old 500 series Citations.

Mike C.

What a shame there are no parts available for those old 500 series Citations.

Mike C.

I needed new wheels and brakes, Tarver had them to me in a couple of days. I needed a landing light, Tarver had it. Flaps, gear doors, CVR…. Yes, yes, yes.

actually I do need an N2 indicator. Looks like you could grab me one somewhere close by!

I'd love to find a set of main wheels and a spare starter/gen, but those items are hard to find. I think people snap those up and keep them. I think the starter/gen shops also buy all of those up to corner the market.

Brakes are not as critical, mine are lasting forever.

Mike C.

And I’ve got another nine Shipping Containers at Tarverlandia

what about the engines... starting to hear about -1As with no HT blades available

So you can buy them brand new, but not going to like the price, but they are available. I think I have about 10 sets of Ht Blades left and 4 premium complete engines and 50 parts engines. I think we’re gonna be OK for a long time. I don’t think we are long off from being able to 3-D print anything we want