Falcon 2000EASY or Soverign Thoughts?

[vikaero]

Ahhhh... Bombardier service / support helps sell another competitor's product once again !!! I agree with your boss, though I must say that they have been trying real hard with us.

 

[BEfly]

New or used? Either way you guys could probably steal one right now with the market so poor and bogged down with inventory. One of our owners is looking at a soverign so I'm curious as to what guys have to say about them.

 

[sleepy]

New or used? Either way you guys could probably steal one right now with the market so poor and bogged down with inventory. One of our owners is looking at a soverign so I'm curious as to what guys have to say about them.

We didn't have the Sovereign for very long. It was my first and only Cessna jet, so I don't know how it compairs to other Cessna products. It was not a bad aircraft, a lot of bang for the buck is my opinion. It is nowhere close to a Falcon in technology, performance, or quality, but it doesn't cost as much as a Falcon either.

The best thing about the Sovereign compaired to other aircraft in its class is the baggage space. The PW engines are nice, but I feel like they should be air start (it takes forever to start them with a starter/gen). The Epic avionics are nice, except that you couldn't used the v bar flight director (maybe that has been fixed?) because of a software problem.

Over-all, a good plane for the money.

 

[SeaSpray]

Before looking at the Sovereign I'd look at the CL30, lots of good deals to be had, awesome performance, good economy and value.

CL30 = One pack, one trim air valve - No IRSs - Tiny Galley - Bombardier Support. No thanks.

 

[jonjuan]

CL30 = One pack, one trim air valve - No IRSs - Tiny Galley - Bombardier Support. No thanks.

Instead of listening to the guy who has never flown/operated the Sovereign, 300, or 2000, why not call 10-15 flight departments that actually FLY the things? If it's a big deal to your boss, why not go pay a few flight departments a visit? I'm sure they would be more than receptive. I can't believe that you would make a recommendation and have the boss make a decision based on the feedback you receive here on FI.

 

[siucavflight]

Good for your boss on saying no to the CL30. Bombardier makes some great products, but their support is an absolute joke.
I am a bit worried, at work it is sounding like we are getting rid of the G550, and shopping a Global Express. While I love the Global Express I would hate to give up my seat in the Gulfstream, and I am scared of Bombardiers support for the airplane, I have heard nothing but nightmares.

As far as the two aircraft your boss is looking at, go with the Falcon, all the numbers (except for runway) are better, sure it is more expensive, but with the EASY deck the resale value should stay relatively high.

 

[LRvsH25B]

Instead of listening to the guy who has never flown/operated the Sovereign, 300, or 2000, why not call 10-15 flight departments that actually FLY the things? If it's a big deal to your boss, why not go pay a few flight departments a visit? I'm sure they would be more than receptive. I can't believe that you would make a recommendation and have the boss make a decision based on the feedback you receive here on FI.

JonJuan, I think you know I am not going to use FI as my only source of research on the aircraft we are looking at acquiring.
FI has a diverse group of pilots who have flown all modern aircraft, so yes, I am going to start by speaking to the pros on here who have experience in the equipment on the table.
As for approaching other departments, yes, that is an option, but as you know, most of these companies with the exact aircraft we are considering are trying to keep a low profile, so the flying is not as abundant as it once was and the opprotunities to "pay them" are just not there.
Finally, it is my personal belief that this site is an excellent sourcefor doing exactly what I am trying to do. Furthermore, I'll not apoligize for using this site for reasearch, as I believe one of its many uses is research.

 

[LJ45]

Good for your boss on saying no to the CL30. Bombardier makes some great products, but their support is an absolute joke.
I am a bit worried, at work it is sounding like we are getting rid of the G550, and shopping a Global Express. While I love the Global Express I would hate to give up my seat in the Gulfstream, and I am scared of Bombardiers support for the airplane, I have heard nothing but nightmares.

As far as the two aircraft your boss is looking at, go with the Falcon, all the numbers (except for runway) are better, sure it is more expensive, but with the EASY deck the resale value should stay relatively high.

I have flown and managed Bombardier/Learjets for over 10 years and have two friends flying two CL30 right now. I would say you statement and fears are a little worked up. Yes, they are not prefect, but they try and do ok. We have had no problems the last few years with parts or service. The CL30 is a really good airplane for the money and operating cost.

 

[siucavflight]

I have flown and managed Bombardier/Learjets for over 10 years and have two friends flying two CL30 right now. I would say you statement and fears are a little worked up. Yes, they are not prefect, but they try and do ok. We have had no problems the last few years with parts or service. The CL30 is a really good airplane for the money and operating cost.

That is good to hear, hopefully what I have heard has been exaggerated.

 

[NJAFracPilot]

If you're thinking about the CL30, you should also consider the G200. Our customers who have them really like the cabin and it has all the stuff SeaSpray says the Challenger doesn't have. With the G250 coming, G200 prices ought to be pretty good.

If you're thinking about the Falcon 2000 versus the Sovereign - there's no contest, get the Falcon for all the reasons everyone else has already stated.





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