Ultimate Turboprop

[willNOTfly4free]

King Air 350. It's the greatest King Air ever built, IMHO.

I've heard that the CJ2+'s direct operating costs are lower than a King Air 200.

 

[Goose Egg]

...and Garretts sound better than Pratts!

Yeah, if you are the type of guy that enjoys the sound of fingernails scratching across a chalk board...

 

[kingairyahoo]

King Air 350. It's the greatest King Air ever built, IMHO.

close...best king air in my book is the 300 with (or without) winglets.

• faster than the 350
• hauls all but 1,000# of a 350
• can be opearted below 12,5 and get into places a 350 cant
• better performance numbers than a 350
• cheaper than a 350

 

[Flyingdutchman]

BE-200 hands down...

 

[acpilot]

Merlin with big engines

 

[Flyingdutchman]

Looks like King Air is the winner baby!

 

[pilotyip]

cost?

Looks like King Air is the winner baby!

Get your check book out, my company in 1996 went from AC-690 to a KA 200 and got out of the flying business about 6 months later

 

[BoilerUP]

What was so expensive about the KA200, yip?

 

[pilotyip]

parts and labor

What was so expensive about the KA200, yip?

It was an older KA, we did alot of maint at Beech Service center. Parts seemed high. It burned more fuel for about the same speed. But it did have and air stair and a bigger cabin.

 

[Boris Badenov]

Commander, Merlin, Conquest. Or better yet, MU-2. Fast, cheap, great field performance, easy on gas, they'll hear you coming from miles away.

 

[Plunder Hound]

I agree with you YIP. She has heard about the costs of a KA, and is not too excited. However, I know some operators with few problems. Most of the business people I know don't mind an upfront cost if it keeps the operating costs down. So, maybe a newer KA would prevent the high MX costs.

The interior noise issue is something I wonder about. I know the noise in the Jetstream was bad. Had to wear earplugs all the time. I've heard the KA is fairly quiet. How about the Commander, MU-2? Thanks again.

 

[400A]

Merlin with big engines

What ever you do, do not take this suggestions.

Even with the big engines it will only barely fly on one engine. Still will not go to altitude. While the dash 10 powdered was better than the -3 powered, I hated them both with a passion. Worst flying airplane I ever flew.

TBM's and PC-12's have few options when the motor quits. I have had 2 quit in King Airs and it was a non event. I have flown most models of the King Air and liked them all except the straight 100. Predictable, Safe and easy to fly.

 

[pilotyip]

q-tips

I agree with you YIP. She has heard about the costs of a KA, and is not too excited. However, I know some operators with few problems. Most of the business people I know don't mind an upfront cost if it keeps the operating costs down. So, maybe a newer KA would prevent the high MX costs.

The interior noise issue is something I wonder about. I know the noise in the Jetstream was bad. Had to wear earplugs all the time. I've heard the KA is fairly quiet. How about the Commander, MU-2? Thanks again.

our AC-690 had Q-tips on the props really cut down the noise, also had Freon A/C nice addition.

 

[Quimby]

400LS imp:

or

King Air 200/300/350 (within reason)

 

[Tgaug6300]

If a Turbo Prop is your aim then I would agree with the Commander suggestions. Outstanding airplane. And yes parts are still fairly easy to come by. Twin Commander does a good job with parts availablity. I would suggest 1000 Grand Renaissance. Lots of room, private potty, sunken floor (more headroom), wet wing (no fuel bladders). 300kt airplane, and if I remember correctly we burned about 250-260lbs a side in cruise. That is by far one of the best airplanes ever built.

 

[Boris Badenov]

Don't have a good basis for comparison, but for something so loud on the outside, the MU-2 sure is quiet inside. You could fly it without a headset. It would be loud, but doable. And this is a freighter which has probably had a good deal of soundproofing removed.