Single Engine Turbo Prop

Fly_Unity

Fly_Unity

Well-Known Member
Ok guys, here is my story.

I have a corporate job flying a Cirrus SR22 Turbo for a guy who owns an oil field company. He mostly does 300 NM legs, however once in a while he does a 5-600 mile leg.

We run into weight issues once in a while when he takes 1 or 2 business partners with us, but most of the time its just me and him and a brief case.

All of our flying is done in the Rocky mountains, such as JAC, SLC, DEN, EGE, ASE, SUN etc. He has a Private airstrip that is 3700 feet long, so that aircraft MUST be able to land at that field.

He wants to upgrade to a Single engine turbine aircraft and wanted me to find him something. He wants mostly new (Garmin 1000), Less then 1.7 million, Known Ice, pressurized etc.

Im having a time finding anything. I been looking at the Meridian, however the payload is even worse then the Cirrus. We also found a Silver Eagle P210 which would be his dream airplane, but its not known ice.

I really think the Cirrus suits him fine for what he does with the new known ice and all, but he really wants a single engine turbine thats pressurized. Any ideas?
 
Maybe a TBM 700, not G1000 but the avionics are good enough. An 04' is going to run you about that price according to controller but the performance should be good for what you need.
 
Not pressurized, not G1000, but you can grab a caravan for $1.2-$1.5. EASILY take 3-4 pax 500-600 miles. It just takes you a while to get there.

Maybe a TBM 700?

But honestly, you can get a King air 90 for between $500k and $800k....put the money saved into fuel/engines/maybe new P&I/possibly avionics. If he's absolutely sold on a single, I'd look at some caravans, but you can probably take a king air in/out of that field without too much problem.

-mini
 
There are a bunch of King Air 90s on the market right now at very good prices - For example Atlanta Jet has a Blackhawk modified E90 with a new interior and Gross Wt increase most likely in your price range and I would bet you could arm wrestle a decent deal.

Personally I'm biased towards the 90 - prolly cos I'm flying one now. Its a solid reliable truck and with the -135 engines will go as fast as the TBM700.

PC-12 is going to be expensive to buy, but they are awesome airplanes.

On the field length - the 90 I fly is based at 6A2 in Georgia which is 3700ft with trees at one end and a road and powerlines at the other and it simply isn't a problem, I can get it down and stopped with plenty of room to spare. The higher elevations may make a bit of difference, but it has excellent short field manners.

Bp244
 
King Air and Pilatus are definitely not an option. We have a King Air but the operating cost are to high for him for every day trips. He wants a single engine that is fuel efficient. Something small like the Cirrus but is Known Ice and Pressurized. He dont need a Caravan as the Cirrus can out perform it in fuel efficiency, altitude, and speed. PC12 is to expensive for him.

I'll have to look into the TBM.
 
Fly_Unity said:
With the Meridan, full tanks and 1 passenger you are overweight.
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Wow, I didn't realize the Meridian was that bad.

A TBM 700 should be good; look for a C2 as it has a higher gross weight. The A model wouldn't be much different than the Meridian, the B model only marginally better. The C2 fixed all that.
 
What about a Silver Eagle 210 conversion?

Edit.. I saw you already mentioned that... Look harder! or add a TKS system down the line later.
 
Extra 500, perhaps if you can find one in the states? Or maybe look into the Epic LT, which seem to be listed right at about 1.7 million these days. Also the Quest Kodiak might work, if you can take a little slower. Perhaps look at the Turbine Partenavia as well. Or if you really are worried about field length, the PC-6 would work, but they ain't going anywhere in a hurry.
 
MU-2 Solitaire offers a lot better fuel burn and value than King Air 90. You won't be able to get any PC-12 for $1.7.

Another option is a Caravan with the Texas Turbine / Honeywell engine conversion. You can buy one of those caravans for about 1.2 and it offers good airspeed with low fuel burn.

The Supervan is probably closest to the performance of your cirrus. Cruises at about 190 I think, and burns a little over 400lbs an hour. But then again it isn't pressurized.

The TBM 700 is the only airplane that meets all your requirements and your price point. It won't have any kind of G1000 though, but the avionics on it are plenty good enough.
 
Fly_Unity said:
I been looking at the Meridian, however the payload is even worse then the Cirrus.
Click to expand...

Just a quick note on the Meridian-- at full tanks, you have 170 gallons aboard. If you're going 300-500 miles, you can leave a pretty decent chunk of that behind, enough for 2 adults and luggage...
 
Epic LT or TBM 700 would be the best options IMHO.

On a side note, I watched two falcon 900's and a 50 land on a 4000' runway and turn off at 2200'. It was pretty amazing.
 
Epic would be my vote.


Where is his private strip? I only ask because I know a guy who is big in the oil and has his own strip at his cattle ranch.
 
SpiraMirabilis said:
MU-2 Solitaire offers a lot better fuel burn and value than King Air 90.
Click to expand...

Obviously, I have to drop in and give a big thumbs up. It will do 3700ft with room to spare, and you'll get there faassssst.

That said, someone mentioned the turbine 210 with TKS...might be more up your alley and the TKS system works like a champ on the 210.
 
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