What plane should the boss buy?

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01-06-2011, 08:50 PM

stunami

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What plane should the boss buy?

My wife's boss is looking into buying a plane for his company and is looking for suggestions for what plane would be good for his needs. Most flights are less than 500nm with less than 4 people, but he would also like the capability to fly with 8 people and lots of bags (skis) to Sun Valley. Of course purchase price and operating costs are also a factor. The first thing that comes to my mind is either a King Air or a Caravan, but I would like to see what people here have to say.

01-07-2011, 12:42 AM

frozenboxhauler

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A BBJ would do the trick, nicely.
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01-07-2011, 02:47 AM

BoilerUP

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Budget (both for acquisition & annual operating) is a pretty important factor...

Sounds like a B200 would work.

01-07-2011, 04:53 AM

BANYO4

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I would say a B200 also. If it has wing lockers for the ski's and golf clubs it is a plus but if it does not it is worth the 30K to put them in. We have the wing lockers on our 90 and 200. The Van in the summer months would be have trouble with weight at high DA airports.

01-07-2011, 07:21 AM

Formerbuspilot

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KingAir... Yes, and make it a 350. There are plenty of them available and the prices arent to bad for now depending on his budget.... which is what?

FBP

01-07-2011, 07:44 AM

Ewfflyer

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Don't rule out a PC-12 also in that mix. All great airframes for the mission. Although the 350 might be a little "excessive." You can get too much airframe.

01-07-2011, 07:55 AM

floydbird

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If 8 people plus lots of bags/ski's to Sun Valley are a requirement, a King Air 200 will not work....King Air 350.

01-07-2011, 08:25 AM

727gm

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CE-501SP - but make 2 trips....

And they're cheap.

Last edited by 727gm; 01-07-2011 at 08:50 AM. Reason: addl.

01-07-2011, 11:09 AM

stunami

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Formerbuspilot

KingAir... Yes, and make it a 350. There are plenty of them available and the prices arent to bad for now depending on his budget.... which is what?

FBP

We havn't talked price, but my instinct tells me that he will look at used King Air prices and scale back his "requirements." That said, as a minimum he would need to be able to fly 4 people over the Cascades and into SUN in the winter (with a couple sets of ski gear). Flying into icing conditions and density altitude would be a factor. Also, I should add, he owns a seafood company, so I could imagine a scenario where he would want to fly with a large cooler or two stocked with salmon.

01-08-2011, 09:33 AM

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RJSAviator76

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You can get away with King Air 200 for 4 people and 500 miles, but you'll struggle with 8 people and loaded with skis. King Air 350 is perfect for both missions.