Comments suggestion, advice? Any input would be greatly appreciated, we are a family of 4 but may take instructor with me on certain flights ( IFR conditions, new airport etc), I live in CA
A36 all the way. Far better build quality and flying characteristics. I have owned both. A36>Cirrus>Saratoga
I'm going to say Saratoga, only because I'm very familiar with them. My Dad bought a Saratoga new in 1987 and flew it until 2002. Great airplane.
Not clear. Are you saying there are times when you need a 5 passenger airplane? What is your mission, e.g. typical routes? What are the speed, altitude, weather (icing) considerations? What are the sizes of the family, and how much will they change over the yrs, including baggage allowance?
We also had a Beechcraft Sundowner though. Slower less expensive version of the A36. Bought to build up time to insure the Saratoga. Kept around because it was a fun plane for short hops, just flying around type stuff. We had a house in Lake Tahoe (Incline), used the Saratoga for those trips from Vancouver. Will say overall fit and finish is better on the Beech, Pipers are not very good in this regard.
I live in Visalia ( KVIS) travel to Santa MOnica, Van Nuys, San Carlos, Palo Alto, Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Palm springs, my kids are 13 and 11, yes on a casino may need 5 seats plus considering weight of baggage etc
5+fuel+bags is tough. Are you a pilot? Still need to know the answer to jcurry's questions to get a good answer.
I thought that too, but the Cirrus G5 has a 3 across rear seat option. Would not fit 3 adults. Given the age of the kids I would rule out the Cirrus only because of the stipulation to carry 5 at times. Given the length of the mission there would probably only be a 30 minute, or less, delta between an A36 and the Saratoga. However I would vote for the A36 because it is what it is (a Bonanza) and in consideration of future intangibles.
I don't own either so this is purely anecdotal from my friends that do own and fly them. My friend with the SR22 (2006 model) often references his inability to put 4 adults in with full fuel which limits his trips/range etc. (he had a 182 before which he could fill to the gills). My friend with the B36 never complains about how much he can carry but he wishes he was a little quicker.. I enjoy getting rides in both
Yes I'm a pilot and I used to own a G36TN (Bonanza). Now I have a PC12NG 5 people in a 36 is cramped. Add bags and it's really cramped. Add hot weather and you may not be able to take off. If my typical mission was 5 people plus bags I'd get an older Citation or King Air in that price range....... $500K-$800K
^jason, i know you are. I was directing that to the OP. The reason for the question is my cfi always drilled w&b to me and I'd be surprised to hear a pilot to say cirrus and 5 people in the same sentence. How long calendar and flight hour wise did you have the g36 before the pc12?
You can easily do five in a Saratoga. Or you can buy a piper lance which is the same basic plane for even less. No Cirrus will truly compete w a Bonanza or Saratoga/Lance if you actually carry more than a lunch bucket with you.
You "can" sleep in a tent instead of a hotel room. Do you want too? 5 folks in a 6 seat plane doing 150 knots any distance is misery (Saratoga). Minimum speed for any legit cross country travel is 185 knots and 1000fpm climb and being able to cruise at or above 10K'.
Saratoga, we only did Vancouver, BC to Truckee in Nevada. It wasn't a bad trip 160knots, not jet ideal, but not misery either. My Father almost upgraded to a TBM700, but since us kids all grown by then, he couldn't justify the expense. Depending on experience, faster retractable gear planes can be tough to insure.
I realize the original question referenced single engine aircraft, but what about a twin? I have time in a variety of aircraft and personally own a Beech Baron at the moment. The values were so depressed the last several years, people were just about giving away twins. I have so little invested in my current Baron, I'll gladly take the additional operating costs of another engine. I can carry four adults (my two sons qualify as adults on the weight and balance), 100 pounds of luggage (half of it in the nose, so it frees up cabin space, too), and full fuel (just a hair over 5 hours) and be right at gross weight and in the middle of the CG range. Cruise speed is 185 knots burning 25 gallons an hour. Plus, I have two more seats available, so if I cut back on some fuel or luggage, I can carry as many as six people and still have decent range.
Jason, this guy is x shopping piston singles. You recommended a turbine and a citation jet. Of the three he referenced, the Bonaza or Lance/Saratoga are the only real options.
Excellent idea assuming he's able to fly multis. C/D/E Barons are huge values right now. We use one for office travels and it's real tough to beat for the price. I can't think of anything that compares when you factor in the low acquisition price.
