THE BUYER'S GUIDE TO SENSIBLE AIRCRAFT 2018 THE BUYER'S GUIDE A complete guide to uNderstaNdiNg aNd selectiNg aN aircraft to purchase. Written by Corey DeWitt with Cameron Tipton No part of this publication may be reproduced without any prior consent from the author. Information presented herein represents the opinions of the author only and is not used to be as the sole criterion for aircraft selection or purchase. INTRODUCTION This book is for those who, like the astronaut above, are alone in the vast and foreign realm of aviation. The aim of this guide is to provide the reader with a better understanding of those aircraft which we deem sensible. Please understand that this guide does not provide an exhaustive list of all aspects of every aircraft nor every aircraft in each category. Nor is every type of aircraft listed, helicopters and mid-size to large-cabin jets are not included since they are not our expertise. Rather we hope to provide you with the information necessary to make an educated decision on your aircraft selection. If you still have questions about the aircraft or any part of the process feel free to contact us at (832) 996-2787. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION....................................................................4 AIRCRAFT CATEGORIES....................................................5 PISTON AIRCRAFT...............................................................5 BEECHCRAFT BARON...........................................................6 BEECHCRAFT BONANZA.....................................................7 CIRRUS SR SERIES.................................................................8 CESSNA TTX............................................................................9 DIAMOND DA62.....................................................................10 MOONEY OVATION & ACCLAIM.......................................11 PIPER M350 / MALIBU...........................................................12 PIPER SENECA........................................................................13 TURBOPROP AIRCRAFT....................................................14 BEECHCRAFT KING AIR 90.................................................15 BEECHCRAFT KING AIR 200...............................................16 BEECHCRAFT KING AIR 350...............................................17 CESSNA CARAVAN...............................................................18 PIAGGIO AVANTI..................................................................19 PILATUS PC12........................................................................20 PIPER M-CLASS.....................................................................21 QUEST KODIAK....................................................................22 TBM 700-900...........................................................................23 JET AIRCRAFT.....................................................................24 CESSNA CITATION MUSTANG..........................................25 CESSNA CITATION M2........................................................26 CESSNA CITATION CJ2+.....................................................27 CIRRUS VISION JET.............................................................28 EMBRAER PHENOM 100......................................................29 EMBRAER PHENOM 300......................................................30 HONDAJET..............................................................................31 AIRCRAFT CATEGORIES Pistons to Turbines "One can get lost in any realm of information that catches your intrigue, whether it is wine or thermodynamics there is no difference." Aviation is a fascinating world of scientists, engineers, designers, mathematicians, and dreamers who share the tenacity to defy the laws of nature. From the first dreams of flight thousands of years ago to today we have created a slew of ways to put men in the air. The categories in which we have decided to focus on in this guide were chosen based on the practicality, accessibility, and lower entry-level costs. PISTONS Reciprocating or piston engines have been used by aircraft manufacturers since John Stringfellow achieved the first powered flight in 1848 using a small steam engine. The ease of maintenance and efficiency of piston engines have ensured their continued use in all forms of machinery to this day. In aircraft, piston airplanes are typically characterized as small craft seating two to six people and flying five hundred miles or less. A piston airplane does not mean antiquated, many have air conditioning, in-flight text/calls, and the autopilot can do everything but land and takeoff. Some of the most advanced piston planes can fly at speeds around 200kts and can even have full airframe parachutes for added safety. While most are used for personal travel by an owner-pilot, many are well suited to be flown in a corporate environment. Piston airplanes offer tremendous value with the lowest upfront and operational costs while providing great versatility. Beechcraft Baron PISTONS Overview When you imagine a light piston twin, chances are you think of a Baron. In 1961 Beechcraft took everything great about the Bonanza and added a second engine. The Baron has seating for 6 in a club-type configuration. Think of it like a really fast (and really cool) van – load it up and you’re off. Beechcraft even gave the Baron large loading doors Specifications for passengers and bags and nose compartments for even more bags. Much like the Bonanza, the Baron has a myriad of variants since it was introduced – each with unique performance and styling points. Today, the Baron is an all-around winner for capability. Beechcraft Bonanza PISTONS Overview Beechcraft has been producing this iconic high-performance, complex airplane since 1947 – talk about a legacy. The “35” Bonanza was introduced with a revolutionary v-tail design which afforded increased efficiency over traditional t-tail designs, not to mention that iconic good look. Beechcraft continued to refine the v-tail until eventually launching the “33” Bonanza with a traditional t-tail design and eventually the most Specifications popular – “36” Bonanza that is still produced today. Modern Bonanza’s are typically equipped with either 4 or 6 seats inside of the roomy interior. The Bonanza is a fantastic weekend traveler with the ability to load the whole family inside and operate at a low cost. The Bonanza stands as a legacy in general aviation and continues to offer one of the best flying experiences for both pilot and passengers. Cirrus SR22 PISTONS Overview Cirrus began pushing the boundaries of a stagnant industry in 1984 with innovative designs for the future of personal piston and jet aircraft. In 1995 Cirrus released the SR20 – a 4 seat, low wing single engine aircraft that was designed to mimic the comfort of a luxury sedan. The SR20 was modified in 2000 to create the high-performance SR22 with a larger wing, larger fuel tank, and substantially higher Specifications performance. Since 2002 the SR22 has held the record for top-selling production aircraft in general aviation. Cirrus has attributed much of its success to industry-leading safety features including the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). Today, variants of the popular airplane are the entry-level SR20, the high-performance SR22 and a turbocharged version called the SR22T. Cessna TTx PISTONS Overview The Cessna 400 (TTx) was originally designed in 2004 by Columbia Aircraft prior to being acquired by Cessna in 2007. The TTx holds the record for the fastest production single-engine piston with a fixed gear and it is well-deserved. Having the landing gear permanently down creates a large amount of drag but offers an enhanced safety benefit – eliminating the possibility of landing gear failures. The TTx is a direct competitor of the venerable Cirrus SR22 and the TTx does carry some strong advantages. The build Specifications construction is superior to that of the Cirrus which is evident in its structural limitations, which are greater than the Cirrus. It is equipped with Garmin G2000 avionics, a speed brake, and optional flight into known icing (FIKI). The TTx is a great solution for those looking for speed without sacrificing sedan-style comfort. Cessna previously produced the Cessna Corvalis 400 TT, the predecessor to the TTx, with previous version avionics and interior styling. Diamond DA62 PISTONS Overview It has been many years since any aircraft manufacturer has tinkered with the piston multi. In an age where fuel costs are unpredictable and the cost to maintain two engines outweighs the added safety cushion, Diamond Aircraft took on the challenge with the DA62. The DA62 has seven seats and unlike its competition, it can actually carry that weight. With full tanks, the DA62 can still lug 1,004 lbs. over 900 miles in long range setting – that Specifications is remarkable. Diamond’s most substantive improvement is the introduction of the Astra engines that sip economical (and available) Jet A fuel at a rate lower than most high- performance piston singles. Add the single lever FADEC throttle, auto- feather, and Garmin G1000NXi avionics and you have a truly impressive airplane. Priced new, the Diamond is only slightly more than a comparable single-engine piston. Diamond has truly made the twin competitive again. Mooney M20U / M20V PISTONS Overview Mooney has always felt that their airplanes should go fast – really, really fast. The small, Texas-based manufacturer has set numerous world speed records since their founding