Best Plane for the Mission?

[crazynut52]

Mission: 2-3 425nm trips/week
2-4 passengers excluding pilot
Budget ~ 1 mil.


What is the best aircraft for this mission? We have basically narrowed it down to a King Air 90 or a Cheyenne. Not absolutley so if someone has another suggestion, please mention. BTW as some of you may know, I am very new to the turbine world, and have therefore have little knowledge of pros/cons of aircraft of this profile. What are the things to look for in a King Air 90? I assume it will have to be an E model for the budget. What about Cheyenne I and II's? I have heard they may be a little more difficult to fly and to find parts for than KA's. Any pilots of either plane please give me any information that may be helpful.

I appreciate the help.

[XcalibeR]

I know nothing about those two planes nor do I have any experience buying planes, but wouldn't a King Air, or even a Cheyenne, be way too much plane for that mission? Wouldn't a Saratoga work just as well?

[crazynut52]

Well I guess that is up to the corporation, but at this point they already have a Hi-Perf single, and with the weather in the North East, they are looking to go turbine.

[Gonzo]

A nice new BE-58 (I might know one for sale).

[WAFlyBoy]

For a $1MM investment + operating costs, a fractional jet might be a contender. Has this been considered?

[E6BAV8R]

There really isn't a big difference in the Cheyenne's or KA's, depending on the Chey. model you go with. However, if you want to go the -90 route I would go with the F-90 KA (C-90 with the speeds of a -200) for a 425nm trip multiple times a week. A -200 will true out at around ~265ish.

[crazynut52]

I now understand that is why the F90s are a bit more than the budget.

[PanJet]

Originally Posted by XcalibeR

I know nothing about those two planes nor do I have any experience buying planes, but wouldn't a King Air, or even a Cheyenne, be way too much plane for that mission? Wouldn't a Saratoga work just as well?

If you have four passengers besides the pilot, you may have trouble carrying enough fuel and much baggage in a Saratoga. Plus, a King Air or Cheyenne will be much more comfortable and faster, and they'll have much better equipment for flying in bad weather.

It's too bad your budget is only $1 mil. I've heard lots of great things about the Piaggio Avanti's, but they're kinda pricey.

[jml2992]

We have an F90 for sale here in BFL. Nice airplane for sure but expect to hit somewhere in the high 900's to 1.2 PM me if you want more details. Are you completely sold on the turboprop or would something like a 421 or 414 work? Mx tends to be little more intensive but you save money out the door. Are you operating part 91 or 135? PC-12 or TBM might work as well.