Bravo or Beechjet

[PlaneJohn]

We encountered this very situation about 9 years ago. My company was moving up from a Citation I, and were considering the Bravo and Beechjet. To make a long story short we went with the Beechjet and have been extremely satisfied. Our owner also felt hosed by Citation as we had a windshield issue that resulted in an AOG for well over a month because the retainer that holds the windshield in place had to be fabricated at Cessna. We more or less used the Bravo as negotiation with Raytheon to get them to come down on price, but in fairness to Cessna we were considering the Bravo as the price and passenger capacity were similar. With regard to our operations we are mainly an East coast operation with an occasional trip to SDL, TUS, and LAS 2 times a year. Our typical load is 3-4 pax with maybe 3 overnights a month. We seldom go into anything less than 5000 ft. Baggage is limited, but I have personally been able to get 6 pax and 2 pilots worth of baggage for a 3 day trip from CMH to APF with no problems. Our pax understand our limitations and never pack anything more than a roll-a-board that will fit in an overhead on an airline. Hourly cost of operation has been similar to what some of the others have posted on here, so $1700-1800 and hour is accurate. Dispatch reliability has been excellent, and I have only had to cancel maybe 3 trips in the past 9 years due to mx issues. Finding a good shop to maintain the Beechjet is key, as we have been through 2 of them. From a passengers perspective you can't beat the Beechjets cabin for its class, and when doing a 3 hour leg I'd rather be in the Beechjet than that tube of a cabin Citation. Maybe a minor issue to you but the Beechjet rides turbulence much better than a straight wing Citation any day. If your are used to ailerons, you may not like the spoiler control feel of the BE400 at first, but you get use to it pretty quick. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Quimby]

the beechjet is great if you wanna get paid for doing completely NOTHING.

If you want a great plane that is 50kts slower but can take off 90% more than go with the bravo....

beechjet is complete piece of trash....if you really want a beechjunk....just send me your money, you'll feel better in the end.

Have you flown the Beechjet? Or is this all heresay?

 

[ttflyer]

the beechjet is great if you wanna get paid for doing completely NOTHING.

If you want a great plane that is 50kts slower but can take off 90% more than go with the bravo....

beechjet is complete piece of trash....if you really want a beechjunk....just send me your money, you'll feel better in the end.

Sounds like somebody didn't eat their prunes this morning....

They're both airplanes, not relatives. Figure out what your mission is and pick the airplane that best fits your mission. The BeechJet is a fine airplane. I'm sure the Bravo is as well...

 

[NCherches]

The bravo sure doesn't ride turbulance very well - at least in my opinion...

 

[ultrarunner]

The bravo sure doesn't ride turbulance very well - at least in my opinion...

No straight wing Citation ever has, or ever will. No one will argue that point. A couple thousand hours myself in the straight-wings, so I know!

Ultra