gaunty--
Would certainly agree with your comments re: FAR 23 (CAR3) vs FAR 25 (CAR4b).
And indeed the the performance and range of the 441 is impressive. My business partner flew one from LAX to DCA nonstop and arrived 23 minutes ahead of a Lear 24 (fuel stop required) that had departed 5 minutes earlier.
The C421 is undoubtedly the most economical pressurised piston twin available for executive travel, but some companies just "must" have a turbine.....until they get the maintenance bills. I have decided that our company will purchase a C441 iso a Lockheed JetStar as LAX-HNL is now not a requirement for us. The financial folks have been told rather bluntly that J/C on UAL is what they'll get, like it or not.