Which Aircraft?

[STOL]

We are trying to set up a fractional share cooperate aircraft for UK based companies operating within Europe. Starting small, safe and efficient is my primary objective. I have experience of most Multi piston twins but as we have possible investment levels to consider a Beech C90, E90 or similar. I note there are not many left on the UK register although there are plenty in the states. We were considering the PA31 (un pressurised) or the Cessna 421 (concerns of reliability & cost) Any PPruners got information on operating cost or the pitfalls, apart from the obvious engine overhaul, in operating this type (Beech C90) or any other similar turbine aircraft which would leave change out of approx US $700,000. Another requirement is that it should be flown single crew private cat. Would hope to be flying approx 400hrs in first year of operations. The future plans are to gain an A.O.C. after year 1. We don’t have to spend this budget and my gut feeling is that the Navajo would be a sensible option, although I would like to be above the Weather. Seen too much Ice in this life! All info / opinions gratefully received either by postings or E-Mail.

Thanks

STOL


[This message has been edited by STOL (edited 10 May 2001).]

[JJflyer]

Of both C90 and E90 the latter is a much better airplane. This when useful load and performance is taken to consideration.

PA31 Chieftain being unpressurised would not be my first choise. A C421C would be a good airplane and with the newer engines reliability is not that big of a problem , provided that you follow strict stage cooling procedures.

If you have a look at B/CA Planning and Purchasing handbook, you should be able to find all relevant operating cost´s and performance figures.

JJ

[Airking]

STOL,
we operate a B200, but I also fly a c90 and c90b occasionally (freelance).
If you opt for a KingAir, allow some money to be spent for raisbeck modifications.
Find out more about them : www.raisbeck.com. (http://www.raisbeck.com.)
IMO: Don´t go for a piston. A friend owns a well equipped, hangared & cared fore late C421C and still has a lot of problems. Also the quality of overhauled and new engines seems to be a problem these days. Lots of AD´s on recip engines.


[This message has been edited by Airking (edited 13 May 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Airking (edited 13 May 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Airking (edited 13 May 2001).]

[StressFree]

Airking,
You are absolutely spot on - I would always choose a turbprop over a piston. I used to fly B200's as well as a Chieftain, the King Air was a superb machine whilst the Chieftain was only average............

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'Keep the Stress Down'

[Flight Safety]

JJflyer, what book are you referring to? Where do you get a "B/CA Planning and Purchasing Handbook"? I would be very interested in such a book.

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Safe flying to you...

[JJflyer]

It is a magazine... Business and Commercial Aviation published by McGraw&Hill in US. They come out once a year with the handbook, essentially a magazine but THICK as a brick with info about Airplanes both new and used of different categories. Also there is a lot of info on avionics and such. Good magazine. Used to subscribe to it when it was free for management.
I´ll get some details to you when I get the magazine in front of me.

JJ

[con-pilot]

This issue, May, is the Purchase Planning Handbook. The magazine is free to anybody involved with aviation in the United States. I don't know about ouside the country.

Their web site is, www.AviationNow.com/BCA. (http://www.AviationNow.com/BCA.)
For subscription informatiom call, in the US,1-800-257-9402, or outside the US, 609-426-7070. Good Luck.

[Flight Safety]

OK thanks guys, I appreciate it.

[STOL]

Thanks for responses & E-mails. Especially the one's with CV's albeit a tad premature! 10/10 for initiative. Sorry not to have responded earlier but this is turning out to be one of the most time consuming projects I have been involved in. I have got time on the Pa31 & a friend operating C421B, which has been fairly problematic. Also the TBO on the B’s is low although better on the C if you can get them to run to that time. I have been trying to persuade the investors that a C90 is the way to go. The accountants now don’t like the $700,000 tag on the C90 I had in mind and the management want a pressurised aircraft and like the 421. My reservations are as previously posted are on reliability. We have sourced a good 421C at about $357,000.
According to these American figures I have obtained which obviously need adjusting for UK ops / fuel prices etc the cost per statute mile is .27 dollars difference equating to $54.00 over a 200SM leg. Comments on the reliability of these figures would be appreciated. JJ thanks for your input, unfortunately the E90’s I’ve sourced hit a new level of investment that I think would finish this proposal off. Airking, again many thanks. Cheeky I know but if you had any annual costs available against hours flown for the C90 you fly I would very much appreciate it. I am aware of the raisebeck mods. I am slightly paranoid to see how few C90’s are on the UK register and wondered why? No nasty surprises like the lifed spar on the pa31? Again thanks for your inputs. Just want to get it right! Sorry not to have responded to E-mails but no jobs at present.

Blue Skies

STOL

Operating Costs for Cessna 421
PQ Avg.
Fuel (GPH): 45.00
Fuel Costs/Gallon: 2.15
Fuel Costs/Hour: 96.75
Oil Costs per Hour: 2.00
Maintenance Cost/Hour: 110.00
Hourly Engine Reserve: 40.00
Prop T/R Reserve: 6.00
Total Variable Costs/Hour: 254.75
Average Speed (MPH): 230.00
Cost/SM: 1.11
Annual Insurance: 7,500.00
Annual Hangar/Tiedown: 8,000.00
Training: 6,000.00
Total Fixed Costs: 21,500.00
Hours/Year: 200.99
Fixed Cost/Hour: 107.15
Total Variable & Fixed Costs/Year: 72,702.23
Total Costs/Hour: 361.90
Total Cost/SM: 1.57

Operating Costs for King Air C90A/C90B
PQ Avg.
Fuel (GPH): 75.00
Fuel Costs/Gallon: 1.75
Fuel Costs/Hour: 131.25
Oil Costs per Hour: 1.00
Maintenance Cost/Hour: 132.00
Hourly Engine Reserve: 70.00
Prop T/R Reserve: 9.00
Total Variable Costs/Hour: 343.25
Average Speed (MPH): 240.00
Cost/SM: 1.43
Annual Insurance: 10,500.00
Annual Hangar/Tiedown: 8,400.00
Training: 7,500.00
Total Fixed Costs: 26,400.00
Hours/Year: 270.00
Fixed Cost/Hour: 97.78
Total Variable & Fixed Costs/Year: 119,077.50
Total Costs/Hour: 441.03
Total Cost/SM: 1.84