C421s on charter operations?

[Horatio Leafblower]

Been doing some sniffing around the east coast CHTR operators and I can't find anyone using C421s any more.

Even Golden Eagle no longer use their namesake! :uhoh:

Is it simply a matter of too much money to run?

[Pluto's gone]

You just answered your own question :ok:.

[Jabawocky]

Were they not subject to a AD last year that had a life limit of X and something like 75% of the fleet in Aust exceeded that.

Game over!

May have been another model, but I am sure it was the 421.

J

[Bang Bus]

Wagners used to operate one out of YTWB a couple of years ago, but it has been a while since I was down that way.

[Section28- BE]

Jabba

Do know the Conquest was the "prime" one affected.

Not sure if the C421 was captured as well- with the airframe heritage???

Rgds

[kingtoad]

Yes Jaba, you're thinking of the C441. The C421 is the C414's big brother - engines are about the only difference. Those geared GTSIO-520's are expensive to run/maintain and only have a 1200 hour TBO (which can be upgraded to 1600 with a new cylinder part number) if I remember correctly. Pilots have to manage decents so that the prop never drives the engine otherwise you end up witha stuffed gearbox.

Its that same reason we don't see more Twin Commander 685's etc flying around.

[Pinky the pilot]

Pilots have to manage descents so that the prop never drives the engine

Which is not all that hard to do really, if you were taught the correct way in the first place!

[Capt Fathom]

Been doing some sniffing around the east coast CHTR operators and I can't find anyone using C421s any more.

Is it simply a matter of too much money to run?

Same engine as the Titan, and plenty of them still around, so maybe not the engine to blame.

A combination of the engines, pressurization and available payload.

The couple I have flown, (a B & C model) where well equipped with high empty weights. The payload would be the clincher with charter ops.

[Jabawocky]

Ahhh yes! the 441:ok: DOH!

Sorry about that!

The SIDS thing has made them expensive to keep then I gather?

I should know better, a customer of mine has a nice one based at YRED!

J

[ranfurly]

We operate both a 421C and Navajo and there is definitely a difference in operating costs - probably about 20%. But if you need pressurisation and want to give your passengers a good smooth quiet ride and they are prepared to pay the difference, then it is a good aeroplane. As a money maker providing you can fly at lower levels , then for pax carrying, the Navajo would beat it all the time. The engine management issue is as someone else said, simply a training issue, and I think they are great engines as they are in the Titan. With slightly higher TAS than a Navajo and the ability to cruise comfortably at mid teens, for 4-6 pax they take a lot of beating in $ per mile especially if you cannot get the 1000 hr utilization you need to operate a turbine and make money.

[Tmbstory]

A superb cabin with low noise levels due to slower turning propellers, good performance for a Part 23 aircraft.

I used a C421 on VIP missions in South East Asia for a number of years and it was well received due to its cabin comfort and reliability.

It certainly did the job well for our clients.


Tmb

[Cap'n Arrr]

I'm sure I've seen one or two at BK with the same company that runs the metro SSV (name escapes me)

[Altimeters]

Av Centre? Didn't they just merge recently?

[aussie1234]

UTC which is Wagners old one now lives in the ISA, Doing charter out of there perhaps? hear it going to Cairns often

[MakeItHappenCaptain]

Saw RKI at Cooly the other day. Not sure if it's based there though...