Best plane for 3-4M

[HA XPEH]

Looking for some suggestions to pass on to the boss for the best aircraft on a 3-4M dollar budget.

Most of our trips are western US with an arerage load of 6 pax. We are currently using a King Air 200, but that will leaving shortly. Thanks

 

[Lead Sled]

For a budget not to exceed $4 million and you'd like something comparable to what you've been operating it will be hard to beat a KA350. However, you're going to be pretty much limited to KA200 type trips.

If you're entertaining the thought of moving up to a jet and if you're talking legs up to 1000 nm or so it's going to be hard to do any better than a Citation II or V any of their derivatives. They'll operate at a per mile cost quite comparable to the B200.

If you are looking at something that will do the shorter legs economically and still able to handle the occassional 2000 to 2500+ nm trip it will be hard to find an airplane in that price range that will give you more bang for the buck than a "Classic" Astra.

There will be those who suggest things like G-IIs and IIIs, but any of those will bring tears to your accountant's eyes and cause your boss's hand to cramp up when he writes out the checks for the fuel bills.

Citation IIIs especially the early ones can be a huge maintenance headache. The Lears (31 and 35) are very cozy for 6 on anything but the shortest legs.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

LS

 

[twasurfer]

Pc 12

 

[AerroMatt]

Pc 12

'nuff said.

 

[hawkerjet]

I'm with lead sled on that one, the classic astra would be one hell of a plane. I also might throw out there some aircraft just below that 3-4 mil such as the Westwind, Hawker, and Lr55. Pretty solid aircraft that have proven airframes and plenty of support.

 

[svcta]

I'm not the world's largest astra fan, but the numbers don't lie. But, it's probably one of the best for the price range.

 

[Beechjetr]

used be400a, even a nice straight 400.

 

[CitationCapt]

Citation 560 Ultra.

 

[ag2pilot]

I would rather have a newer 200 or a 350 than some of the other planes mentioned. That said, the ultra or a straight V would be my first choice. In my opinion you don't get enough climb capability, speed, or range with a II (over the KA)to offset the smaller cabin.

Just my opinion

 

[Swass]

350 would be the goods, the ability to land at unpaved airports is a plus as well

 

[psysicx]

Westwind?

 

[G100driver]

Pc 12

Yes that is a great aiplane to move to. Especially after operating a King Air ...

 

[G100driver]

Operated both Westwinds and Astra and lead speaks the truth on the Astra. It is a great airplane dollar for dollar.

 

[icefr8dawg]

I'm with lead sled on that one, the classic astra would be one hell of a plane. I also might throw out there some aircraft just below that 3-4 mil such as the Westwind, Hawker, and Lr55. Pretty solid aircraft that have proven airframes and plenty of support.

You can get an early serial number Hawker 800 if you've got the money for DOC. I fly an early and later serial number and both are super reliable.

 

[H.Agenda]

Looking for some suggestions to pass on to the boss for the best aircraft on a 3-4M dollar budget.

Most of our trips are western US with an arerage load of 6 pax. We are currently using a King Air 200, but that will leaving shortly. Thanks

being more specific would help...what speed range? operating costs? single pilot? short runways?

 

[deadstick]

If you pay more up front for a newer aircraft, then you can get lower DOCs and better dispatch rate. Case in point, if you buy the wrong C550, then you could pay out more in mx than the note on a newer C560 (with less mx).

Exp: there is a 2002 CJ2 out there for $4.5M and you can get TAP Elite and Proparts coverage, too.

 

[Swass]

CJ2 would be my next choice after the 350. It all depends on your missions.

 

[ag2pilot]

I agree about the CJ2, just didn't mention it because of the 3-4 M range. If you can spend a little more upfront, the CJ2 would be great.

 

[CMI]

A Falcon 20 or 10 with the TFE-731 Retrofit with the Bendix EFIS/Auto-pilot . You can smoke a CJ2 and a 350. You will be at FL410 going 450 knot True.

 

[Swass]

Try landing on an unimproved runway with that.