I had posted in another thread (some time ago now) about upgrading my current ride (SR22). Now, my situation has changed and I will most definitely be getting something different within the next 6 months. Looking to make sure I'm not missing something.
Me - Private/IR pilot with 600 hours (580 in my SR22). I have about 1.5 hours in a Baron. I'm a big recurrent training person and usually manage to fly for 1 day with my instructor every 90-120 days. I have a LOT of cross country time and have truly used the SR22 as a traveling machine. In 2014, I flew 140 hours.
We are moving to downtown Chicago. I plan on keeping the plane at KGYY. My typical missions will be:
KGYY - KBLM - NJ to see family
KGYY - KLEE - FL to see family
KGYY - KEYW - the big mission, at least 1x per month. Down to Key West where I keep my boat.
MOST of these will be with 1 or 2 people, but I'd like to be able to do Key West with 4 and bags.
SO...the limiting mission will be KGYY - KEYW. I'd like to be able to do that with 800 lbs of bags and pax, only make 1 stop , and do it in around 5 hours with neutral winds. I also feel like I need pressurization and weather radar to be the most comfortable and to improve dispatch rate. I have been flying Southern FL a LOT this past summer...anything I can do to make that easier is helpful.
Meridian or JetProp is THE perfect plane for me (well, payload may be an issue), but I can't swing the budget.
Budget cap is $550k ALL in , including any upgrades and initial training etc.
I really have it narrowed down to a Mirage or a Baron 58p.
I've considered:
421 - Too many MX unknowns and just too much plane to not be flying ALL the time to handle emergencies etc.
Meridian/JetProp - too much $
Aerostar - unknown to me
The Baron, I'm worried about MX; it being a VERY old airframe, complexities and currency with re: to multi engine, running costs (2 engines etc), resale (Id have to get a really expensive one relatively speaking to get upgraded avionics, interior etc), handling an engine out emergency appropriately.
The Mirage, I'm worried about engine failure. Other than that, it's the perfect plane.
Leaning towards the mirage..flying that for 2 years - ish and moving to jetprop or meridian for more peace of mind re: engine failure.
Gun to my head right now...I'd get the Mirage, and then be REALLY REALLY ****ed off when I had an engine failure and be wishing for that damn second engine.
Thoughts, advice??
Me - Private/IR pilot with 600 hours (580 in my SR22). I have about 1.5 hours in a Baron. I'm a big recurrent training person and usually manage to fly for 1 day with my instructor every 90-120 days. I have a LOT of cross country time and have truly used the SR22 as a traveling machine. In 2014, I flew 140 hours.
We are moving to downtown Chicago. I plan on keeping the plane at KGYY. My typical missions will be:
KGYY - KBLM - NJ to see family
KGYY - KLEE - FL to see family
KGYY - KEYW - the big mission, at least 1x per month. Down to Key West where I keep my boat.
MOST of these will be with 1 or 2 people, but I'd like to be able to do Key West with 4 and bags.
SO...the limiting mission will be KGYY - KEYW. I'd like to be able to do that with 800 lbs of bags and pax, only make 1 stop , and do it in around 5 hours with neutral winds. I also feel like I need pressurization and weather radar to be the most comfortable and to improve dispatch rate. I have been flying Southern FL a LOT this past summer...anything I can do to make that easier is helpful.
Meridian or JetProp is THE perfect plane for me (well, payload may be an issue), but I can't swing the budget.
Budget cap is $550k ALL in , including any upgrades and initial training etc.
I really have it narrowed down to a Mirage or a Baron 58p.
I've considered:
421 - Too many MX unknowns and just too much plane to not be flying ALL the time to handle emergencies etc.
Meridian/JetProp - too much $
Aerostar - unknown to me
The Baron, I'm worried about MX; it being a VERY old airframe, complexities and currency with re: to multi engine, running costs (2 engines etc), resale (Id have to get a really expensive one relatively speaking to get upgraded avionics, interior etc), handling an engine out emergency appropriately.
The Mirage, I'm worried about engine failure. Other than that, it's the perfect plane.
Leaning towards the mirage..flying that for 2 years - ish and moving to jetprop or meridian for more peace of mind re: engine failure.
Gun to my head right now...I'd get the Mirage, and then be REALLY REALLY ****ed off when I had an engine failure and be wishing for that damn second engine.
Thoughts, advice??