Comparison of KA 90 series airplanes Vs. MU 2 or others

WacoFan

WacoFan

Bigly
Guys -

Looking for some thoughts from the group here.

Here is the mission - Looking to fly around 300 NM with usually 3 people (at most) plus pilot. I would imagine the speed difference at distances like that would be not very much. What would be your preference on airplane? Addtional uses could be taking perhaps 5 plus pilot from KC to Florida/California/Vegas but that would be infrequent and for leisure - obviously the speed would come in handy on those trips. The primary mission though would be once or twice per week on the 300NM +/- 100NM (depending on future "stuff").
 
Definitely buy for the primary mission.
King Air, Cheyenne, Pilatus, TBM, are all contenders. The MU2 has special training, insurance considerations, but if they are not afraid of it.....
But a 300nm trip with three on board has to be one of the easiest niches to fill.
 
I recommend a merlin or metroliner! You'll get there faster and burn less fuel than the king air. It's a little bit more roomier than the mitsi. :)
 
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Did you even have to ask?
 
I would quite honestly narrow your choices to the 90 and the Pilatus. They are both really good machines, plus you can easily get those airplanes into anywhere. Both comfortably hangout at FL220+. The MU2 is a mess as previously mentioned. If you can get your hands on an aero commander 1000, now you're talkin :)
 
Interesting that I'm in a position of having to make a choice like this and am almost ambivalent about it - like choosing a car or a piece of medical equipment or something. It is a weird thing - if I'm talking about an airplane for personal use (Waco or something else) I get all twitchy and excited. This....meh. Simply a time/distance/cost aviation appliance. May as well be a new sanitary napkin dispenser at the office.
 
The King Air series aircraft is the greatest twin turboprop ever built as proven by its production numbers alone, well over 5000 have entered into service. However they are the most expensive in their class to operate. For cabin comfort and mission reliability my vote goes for the C-90B.
 
KLB said:
I recommend a merlin or metroliner! You'll get there faster and burn less fuel than the king air. It's a little bit more roomier than the mitsi. :)
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And pulling up to the FBO, you can expect not to get the red carpet treatment! :)
 
The King Air series aircraft is the greatest twin turboprop ever built as proven by its production numbers alone, well over 5000 have entered into service. However they are the most expensive in their class to operate. For cabin comfort and mission reliability my vote goes for the C-90B.
 
Properly maintained (by people who specialize in them, not Mitch Mechanic in the corner hanger), MU-2s have excellent reliability. Anyone who thinks they're a "mess" probably hasn't flown one. Carrying three people, you don't need a sewertube or even a Merlin...you don't even need a longbody Mitsi. And the shortbodies are stupid fast...you're CERTAINLY going to notice the difference between a Solitaire and a KingAir 90, even over only 300 miles. One trues what, MAYBE 240? The Solitaire is around 315. If that's not enough, it'll cost about half as much and, considering the speed advantage, will burn about the same fuel per leg. You can stop it in 500ft and under 91 easily get out in 2000ft.

I will admit that from what I've seen so far, the Pilatus is a contender. It's not as fast as a Mitsi, especially down low, but field performance is even better, it carries more in a better cabin, and it burns less fuel. But A) Only one spinny thing and B) Cost of acquisition is extremely high.

If you buy a King Air, I'm going to kick you after I drink you under the table.

Then murder you in your sleep.
 
No doubt that lots of the MU pilots live their machines. But is the big boss going to want a picture in front it? If so, maybe a KA is in order. That MU2 looks like a damn grasshopper.

That's right Boris, I said it. And it sucks to fuel! Hope u brought a screwdriver.
 
Krieger said:
That MU2 looks like a damn grasshopper.
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Says the guy with a locust as his avatar! Besides, it looks awesome. Sleek, fast, and it has TIP TANKS. TIP TANKS, for God's sake! That should be the end of the argument, right there!

Furthermore, I don't think Waco associates with the kind of poncing jackasses who stop to have their pictures taken with aviation appliances. They've got places to be, people to buy and sell, dreams to crush. Which is why they want an MU-2...get there fastest and spend the leastest doing it.
 
If you could sell that Merlin for 1.5 million somebody needs to a refurb business STAT. I never see those things carrying pax. Mostly just baby chickens.
 
Krieger said:
If you could sell that Merlin for 1.5 million somebody needs to a refurb business STAT. I never see those things carrying pax. Mostly just baby chickens.
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There were metros designed specifically for corporate flying. It can accomodate more passengers than just about any king air.
 
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