What'd You Think Is A Good Back Up Airplane for a Navajo
 

The company I fly with, I'm 15 and they let me ride right seat with my mom (a CFIIME so it works out good for my logbook), has a Navajo they fly the boss 80 miles to work 4 days a week. He want's a back up airplane. I was just wondering what you guys here thought, I doubt he'll ever buy another airplane, he talked about trading the King Air up for 10 years and just finally got the Citation. So what do you guys think's a good airplane? Has to be all weather (in the NE) and have atleast 6 seats. I'll suggest it too him next time I see him or have my mom suggest it too him, but I don't fly much with them in the winter time with school and sports in the way so I probally won't see him 'till the summer time.

Thanks.......

good question
 

The Navajo is an excellent aircraft for short range, below 10,000ft trips, and I have been there and done that.
Unless the destinations have good prepared runways, and are over 500nm away, then whilst a Citation is a great little private owners aircraft, is not ideal.
A B90, or 200 is an ideal replacement, with high profile tyres, good at rough runways, and grass, likes longer trips, 1000miles easy work, and a great aircraft to fly.

If U want more details, please Pm me.....Bumz

Must have read it wrong, we already have a Citation, he wants a backup for the Navajo.:D

Another Navajo?

confused of Tonbridge
 

I agree there is no better back up than another PA31. But why is there a need at all, is the original working so hard, or not in good condition as to render it a liability....Bumz

You also has a Citation as a good back-up if ever needed. Navajo is usually a very reliable work horse.
Keep it simple!
Blues

I guess I forgot to mention he wants something to learn in too.

Sounds like he has the best of both worlds at the moment, although it may sound like you should have kept the Kingair and lost the Navajo when you upgraded to the Citation.
If theres a bit of money to be played with, have a look at a PC12.

MNC

There's really no need for a King Air. It's pretty much one guy 80 miles on every trip. You just couldn't justify a King Air for that trip. Now the Merideans nice:D

80 miles and the owner wants to learn to fly.....the Caravan would be a good choice.

There is a Caravan sales and service center right near DE at KMTN.

1 pax and 80 miles, i would be using a Seneca, or if he's got deep pockets a TBM-700 or a Meridian.

Actually, with 80 mile trips i'd be using a car, but my pockets arent very deep at all.

Remember it's 80 miles by air not by car. It's about a 4 hour drive and he has to be at work at 8 every morning 4 days a week, that's a pretty long day.

Any of the 4 series Cessna's. 402C would do the job nicely I would think. Conquest if he's really rolling in it.

The 310 would be an option too having 6 seats.

Navajo and seneca's are old hat now. King Airs are the way to go now. People can afford more these days

Any one of the turbine singles eg Cessna Caravan, TBM700, Pilatus PC12 etc, various others recently/about to be certified.

Alternatively any of the light twins: Baron, C310, another Navajo, C40x. etc Aerostar! There would be a good plane IF you're using a 800-1000 m airstrips.

Some of the single engine pistons eg C210 or P210, A36, PA32R

What sort of $$$ does the bloke want to spend?

I think the guys utilisation profile would need to be expanded on to give a proper recommendation. Is he looking at an aircraft to cover the Navajo whilst on Maintx?

If this is the case, it is unlikely that this amount of utilisation will be cost effective to purchase another aircraft, it would most likely be better to cut a deal with a local air taxi / charter operator for the couple of days a month utilisation.

If he's looking for a new "big boys toy" why not trade in the Navajo for a BE-90, BE-200, Meridian etc etc.

In reality the Navajo / Chieftain / Seneca and othe r piton twins are great value for money, but in my experience are only cost effective to operate if you have multiple aircraft of type and maintain them inhouse.

As Egeebee says the Navajo and Seneca's are old hat (but very cost effective for short trips if your budget is low) The BIG question is, how much does he want to spend, both on capital purchase / and or monthly, hourly based on What utiilis

CK wrote "The only problem with a Meridean is, well, our Cheif Pilot is too, uh what's a good word for this, round. He can't fit b/t the seats to get up front"

Be careful, you never know if TH or someone he knows reads these and other boards.
He knows he is "round", but might not like it if his shape is being discussed on a public forum.

I was in no way insulting him. He one of the best pilots and nicest guys I know. Not to mention he is one of the most generous person I know allowing me and other low time pilots to ride along with him. I would in no way ever talk about him in any way, but a good way on purpose. You from around here? How do you know him?

"If this is the case, it is unlikely that this amount of utilisation will be cost effective to purchase another aircraft, it would most likely be better to cut a deal with a local air taxi / charter operator for the couple of days a month utilisation"

Is a good idea, only problem is there's no charter companies within 30 miles.:(