Time for Mulligan to upgrade?

mulligan

mulligan

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Mulligan
Well, Mulligan loves his SR22 but often finds he has to choose which kid to leave behind for the quick getaways. So now it’s time to make the big decision and look into other options.

I like the thought of an SF50. Pros are would handle most of my missions, allow me to keep flying with Basic Med as long as I say under 18,000ft, and keep wife and mom happy to still have a chute option. Cons are the long wait to get into one and the short time on market to make sure they are safe as the SR series.

I’m curious to see what you know it all, I mean professionals would recommend. Here are the mission and budget details.

Typically me plus 4 passengers, assume adults for size and weight purposes. Would like to be able to bring wife and 2 other couples for short getaways so me plus 5 would be ideal.

Would like to go KBTR to KFXE by myself often which is about 670nm but the trips with the people would be more like 300nm.

Would consider hiring crew if I knew more about how to find one and how compensation works but prefer to stay in one of the seats because I really enjoy flying. If I go to something with 2 engines would have to get my multi and go back to 3rd class which both can be done if needed.

Budget to buy would be under $2m depending on what I can get for my SR22. Annual operating expenses o have no idea about so would have to take that into consideration too.

Ok, that’s all I can think of, let me know if you have any questions and I’ll update. Have fun helping me choose my next plane.
 
You can fly a multi under BasicMed, as long as it is not more than 6,000 pounds and is certificated for more than 6 seats. A Baron 58 is a popular airplane.
 
You need a 6-place load hauler with space. Not many out there can actually haul 6 adults with any reasonable fuel quantity. Cessna 310R or an Aztec. A Baron 58 will also do it, but it's a bit cosier.

You might want to check out the Piper M600 turboprop.

mulligan said:
Problem is you have to stop for fuel every 30 minutes.
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Isn't that the same problem with the SF50 with six adults on board?
 
Lance/Saratoga/Cherokee 6
B58 (maybe on the cramped side in the back if all the seats are full)

But I think you're really looking at a cabin-class twin (Cessna 340/4xx/Piper Navajo/Piper Cheyenne)
 
Not sure of your budget, but if you are thinking turbine I might would suggest the Socata TBM series.
 
Turbine 210

16_C848_EE-0588-42_D3-9294-_B7_E3_A342575_E.jpg


https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2012/december/pilot/silver-eagle-golden-performer
 
Cirrus SF50? You basically already know how to fly that.
 
Cirrus Jet would be coooool
 
Duh. Move to San Diego and let’s go in on an M2 together. We’ll drag @RudyP in too!

Yeah, used TBM 850 or M600 (if you fit... tall guys don’t). VLJ opex high but acquisition cost in several cases is lower than SETP
 
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TBM would be my choice.

Nice problem to have, btw! :)
 
A Piper Matrix or older Malibu would fit the bill. You can also upgrade it over time to a turboprop if you like.
 
If I were in your shoes, I’d probably go with the Vision Jet, especially since you’re competent in the SR. Transition training would be a snap for you!

There’s a local guy here who actually did this same thing. He had an SR22 for awhile and just within the past 6 months upgraded to the Vision Jet and built a new hangar on field for it. He uses it for trips to Dallas Love and various other places and licks it in a fraction of the time!
 
Disclaimer: I am building an RV-14 because I can't afford a used SR22 and nobody will fly with me so I don't need all the seats. I am more the target market for the Subsonex jet than for the Cirrus jet. But I do daydream a lot and spend all the time I can talking to people who have airplanes and trying to bum front-seat rides in them.

The Cirrus Vision was invented to fit your exact situation: Upgrading from an SR22. It's definitely the benchmark for your decision. But there are some single turboprops in your price range that, BasicMed or not, you should not rule out until you've compared them against your mission. Your price range includes a used PC-12 and a lightly-used Kodiak. Your mission will narrow the planes down to the best fit, but there are some really great planes to pick from. I will say that the Meridian will never make a good personal plane for me. It's easier to get in and out of the front seat of a J-3 Cub than that of the Meridian. If I were in your shoes, I would be climbing into every plane I can find with 6+ seats until I found the one that's the best fit for me as the pilot and for my family as passengers.
 
Well you have plenty of ideas,and options. The choice is up to you.
 
don't be a fool. get something cool. so we can all drool. and get something fast and sips fuel. definitely not a slow mule.
 
So, Mulligan is looking for a mulligan? I’d buy a trio of bush planes with giant tires. A monstrous PA-18 for alone time, a beefy DHC-2 fir family time, and something on amphibs and save the leftover $ for gas and beer. :)
 
While a jet or turboprop is the obvious solutions there operating cost are on a whole different level compared to a piston powered plane. The O.P. might be able to swing that but it's pricey!
 
When I saw the SF50, it really impressed me. The cabin is great on it, and Cirrus has definitely done a good job of making it easy to fly. Personally I'd expect the safety aspects to be very good with it. That seems like it would probably be an ideal fit for you.

The TBM is also an excellent choice. 700C2, 850, etc. would all work well. Meridian could be worth considering as well, although I prefer the TBM over the PA46.

I would generally not recommend hiring a crew unless you want to hire someone full time. Trying to hire pilots on a contract basis but also having the flexibility of flying when you want has seemed to work poorly for most people I know who've done it. Not saying it can't work, but it seems like it normally doesn't. That said, you could also look at what local outfits have that might be willing to assist with a contract pilot scenario. You're not flying far enough that a jet will make a huge difference. A Citation will gain you some speed vs. the SF50 or TBM, but not a huge amount. I don't think you have much multi time, and you'd need some sort of multi transition aircraft before I think you could be insurable in a turbine multi.

I think your jump to the SF50 is exactly why Cirrus built it, and that seems the most obvious transition. But the turbine singles are also good options. A number of Cirrus owners have gone to the cabin class Twin Cessnas, but I will say after my experience with the 414 I wouldn't recommend it unless you wanted a stepping stone to get you insurable in a turbine twin.
 
iamtheari said:
Disclaimer: I am building an RV-14 because I can't afford a used SR22 and nobody will fly with me so I don't need all the seats. I am more the target market for the Subsonex jet than for the Cirrus jet. But I do daydream a lot and spend all the time I can talking to people who have airplanes and trying to bum front-seat rides in them.

The Cirrus Vision was invented to fit your exact situation: Upgrading from an SR22. It's definitely the benchmark for your decision. But there are some single turboprops in your price range that, BasicMed or not, you should not rule out until you've compared them against your mission. Your price range includes a used PC-12 and a lightly-used Kodiak. Your mission will narrow the planes down to the best fit, but there are some really great planes to pick from. I will say that the Meridian will never make a good personal plane for me. It's easier to get in and out of the front seat of a J-3 Cub than that of the Meridian. If I were in your shoes, I would be climbing into every plane I can find with 6+ seats until I found the one that's the best fit for me as the pilot and for my family as passengers.
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For one I wouldn’t fly in a 2M PC12, for two I wouldn’t want a hobby cirrus driver in the left seat unsupervised in one.

Just because you can afford it and legally PIC it, doesn’t mean you have any business flying it.


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http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2012/06/pilatus-pc-1247-n960ka-6-killed-in.html?m=1

A PC-12 IS NOT a Cirrus or Bo

Be careful getting a plane that waaay overreaches your abilities, it’s like the thing about giving the suburbanite a 4x4, it just get them much more stuck than the 2 wheel drive would have.
 
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Cessna 208 Caravan? Room to grow! Or room (inside) to make the cabin a bit more luxurious for fewer people.

(Hey, you never said what your budget was... :) )

(Edit: sorry, you did say, but that should still be in range...)
 
Correct me if I'm wrong but most of the suggestions above will require the OP going back to class 3 medical based on weight and/or speed issues. On the lighter planes (<6,000) he would sacrifice cruising speed to keep it under 250kts and 18,000 foot limit). OP, any problems you see with going back to third class?
 
mulligan said:
If I go to something with 2 engines would have to get my multi and go back to 3rd class which both can be done if needed.
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gdwindowpane said:
Correct me if I'm wrong but most of the suggestions above will require the OP going back to class 3 medical based on weight and/or speed issues. On the lighter planes (<6,000) he would sacrifice cruising speed to keep it under 250kts and 18,000 foot limit). OP, any problems you see with going back to third class?
Click to expand...
OP says he could go back to 3rd class if needed.
 
James331 said:
For one I wouldn’t fly in a 2M PC12, for two I wouldn’t want a hobby cirrus driver in the left seat unsupervised in one.

Just because you can afford it and legally PIC it, doesn’t mean you have any business flying it.


Before
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After
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http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2012/06/pilatus-pc-1247-n960ka-6-killed-in.html?m=1

A PC-12 IS NOT a Cirrus or Bo

Be careful getting a plane that waaay overreaches your abilities, it’s like the thing about giving the suburbanite a 4x4, it just get them much more stuck than the 2 wheel drive would have.
Click to expand...
Past observation of Mulligan’s posts here leads me to think he would do the transition right. But the advice to fly within your abilities and build skills at a safe pace can’t be repeated too often and is valid for everyone, whether you’re going from a Cirrus to a Pilatus or from a 172 to an A36.
 
Cirrus Jet! Cirrus Jet! Cirrus Jet!

I sat in one at the Scottsdale Airplane Expo...it was AWESOME.
 
From what I understand both the Cirrus marketing guys and those who own them report the SF50 was designed to fly at FL270 and that's really where you want to fly it. I would assume then, that's what any published performance info is based on. If you're going to limit yourself to a basic medical, buying something that really doesn't shine until it goes above FL180 might not be the best choice. Cabin class twin Cessna maybe?
 
Hire a pilot. Rent a second SR22 to haul the extra kid.
 
gdwindowpane said:
Correct me if I'm wrong but most of the suggestions above will require the OP going back to class 3 medical based on weight and/or speed issues. On the lighter planes (<6,000) he would sacrifice cruising speed to keep it under 250kts and 18,000 foot limit). OP, any problems you see with going back to third class?
Click to expand...

Hence the turbine 210

Also a great one up from the Cirrus
 
What’s your order of priority:
-6 Seats
-Payload (people/luggage vs fuel sacrifices)
-Range with your desired load
-Fuel burn cost
-Maintenance cost
-Price
-Perceived safety (design or airframe age, chute)

I am guessing cost and price are not a big issue.
 
So how much are you asking for the -22?
 
James331 said:
Hence the turbine 210

Also a great one up from the Cirrus
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Interested in your view about why the turboprop Silver Eagle is safer in the hands of an SR-22 pilot stepping up compared to other purpose-built single engine turbo-props (Meridian/M600, TBM or even a PC-12)?
 
GRG55 said:
Interested in your view about why the turboprop Silver Eagle is safer in the hands of an SR-22 pilot stepping up compared to other purpose-built single engine turbo-props (Meridian/M600, TBM or even a PC-12)?
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Because it’s more similar

And historically hobby pilots in PC12s don’t do well, they can do some amazing things but they require much of a pilot when you push them and when put to that point have zero forgiveness for people who don’t know systems, procedures and arnt well versed.
 
weilke said:
Hire a pilot. Rent a second SR22 to haul the extra kid.
Click to expand...
Wait where are you? Buy the second SR22 and I'm sure one of us here would fly the kid for free, in exchange for being allowed to take the plane for our own personal use on occasion.
 
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