Aircraft recommendation

[jetstream]

I'm working with a friend who wants to aquire an aircraft for his business. The need is to be able to fly four adults, including pilot, plus a bag each to destinations primarlily in the southeast. He needs to be able to go even when the weather is bad so radar and known icing certification is probably going to be a requirement.

Looking for aircraft recommendations. His budget for the purchase is $250-300k.

 

[jdubya]

Piper Navajo or Chieftain

 

[Gulfstream 200]

need to go when the weather is iffy on a 300K budget?

Charter a King Air from a reputable operation.

 

[con-pilot]

need to go when the weather is iffy on a 300K budget?

Charter a King Air from a reputable operation.

Ditto.

 

[pilotyip]

need to go when the weather is iffy on a 300K budget?

Charter a King Air from a reputable operation.

ditto, a 300K airplane is an airplane where you will say "No it is not a good idea to fly tonight" He needs to be able to go even when the weather is bad so radar and known icing certification is probably going to be a requirement. Which with the stated mission of "go anywhere anytime" will not sit well with an owner who just spent $300K Not to mention these airplanes are so easy to overload. Go to the 500K range, older KA-90, AC-690.

 

[jetstream]

Thanks for the replies. I'm an airline guy so I've been away from GA for a while. Weather issues aside, what would be a good aircraft for him given the $250-300K budget? Right now I'm thinking along the lines of Seneca V, 58 Baron,421C, or Chieftain.

 

[minitour]

What kind of range is he needing?

 

[jetstream]

300-500 mile range. Average trip would probably be at the lower end of that range.

 

[CA1900]

Maybe something like this known-ice Turbo 210?

http://www.controller.com/listingsd...URBO-210R/1985-CESSNA-TURBO-210R/1218491.htm?

 

[Humblepilot]

From the money he wishes to spend it looks like he will barely be able to get a Navajo. I recommend the CR (at his budget the engines will barely have 300 hrs left before overhaul). Little lower pricing point than the Chieftain. But I agree with all the other comments about saving his money until his business can afford a C90.

 

[surveypilot]

It will be very difficult to put ANY airplane online in that price range that is radar and known ice equipped. A C340 would be the closest that you will find.

 

[BoilerUP]

A36 Bonanza with the approved TKS system and avionics with XM weather.

Over the last 4+ years I've flown a Cirrus SR22 from Texas to the Great Lakes equipped with datalink weather and never had any times when I wish I had an actual onboard radar.

If single engine is a non-starter, Cessna 310R, Baron 55/58 or Seneca II-IV should fit the bill. Also, Cheyenne IIs are in the 300-400k range...

 

[Bleeds On]

As much as I disliked how it flew, the Cheyenne was a good airplane with 240kts cruise. "Poor man's King Air" is pretty accurate but it does the job and you could likely get one around your price range.
How often does he plan to fly and how much notice? That might be the bigger issue. Unless he plans on using it weekly, I'm with everyone else on the charter recommendation.

 

[jetstream]

Probably about six trips a month with an average length of 300 miles. If he wants to do this I think I'll just steer him toward a 58 Baron or Seneca as an entry level aircraft. He'll just have to live with weather limitations. Then if the aviation thing is working for him he can always move up.

 

[CA1900]

Probably about six trips a month with an average length of 300 miles. If he wants to do this I think I'll just steer him toward a 58 Baron or Seneca as an entry level aircraft. He'll just have to live with weather limitations.

He can always buy a fair-weather plane to use when the weather's nice, and charter when the weather's marginal. That might be the best way to stay within his budget, but still get some utility out of it.