I am brand new to aviation and want to learn what type of aircraft I should be saving my $ for. I am wanting to fly from Mesa, AZ to Minot ND on a regular basis. I have a famly of four and possibly guests at time. I want to consider all possible weather (as flying over Denver) but want to be cost effective for maintenence, gas etc. I also want to be somewhat time conscious and don't want the flight to take 12 hours.

Any thoughts?

The great circle distance is 1,165 miles. Therefore, the big (and almost the only) question is : How big is your wallet? If the answer is "big enough", without knowing the answer then you have enough. Realistically you are looking at a Jet to do this journey but some Turbo props may be man enough. And you you going to fly or are you paying for a driver? Either way, we are talking about a fair sized wad of cash. So may I suggest that if you are the sort of person who could easily afford to run an Aston Martin as a third (or fourth car) car then you give someone like NetJets a call. They'll do the hard work for you until you know the full SP. If not, you'll have to use an airline (like the rest of us).

PM

Speed costs money.


How fast do you want to go?

I was hoping for less than 8 hours. Like a Piper Saratoga, or similar?

Your requirement for 5+ bodies will really kill you. None of the 6 place airplanes can carry 6 adults and more than 50% fuel load. In a Saratoga if you carry a pilot and 5 adults, plan on making at least 3 fuel stops.


If you are going to learn to fly yourself,

Go for a C208 Caravan. It' will make the trip nonstop and cross the mountians without too much trouble. Despite the fact that it is a turboprop, it is as simple as an airplane can be. You could get your liscense in a 172, go to training for the 208, hire a instrument instructor to teach you IFR flying while you make your trips and get used to your new airplane. Most seating arangements are for 8 pax with plenty of room for baggage.

Down side is that it's unpressurized, and somewhat slow.


If you are going to hire a pilot to fly you.

Pilatus PC12, or perhaps an older Kingair 90. Both are very close in deminsions, load, and speed. The PC12 only has one engine, and is there fore much cheaper to operate and insure. The fuel will be much more in a Kingair, but it may be offeset by the higher purchase price of the PC-12. Wiht todays fuel prices, I'd go ahead and spend on the Pilatus.

That's if you find someone wanting to sell you one. There currently is a HUGE demand for them, and the factory's order book is full for the next 4 years... So I guess that even to buy a used one if you find one you'll have to open your wallet seriously.

Getting one of them shouldn't be a problem if it behaves the same with fixed wing as with rotary wing aircraft. In our industry some smart and wealthy companies order more helos then they need. By the time the order books are full and someone desperately wants one they come along and offer their brand new helo for a slightly higher price. They make money by simply passing it along. All it needs is a big wallet.

Regards, Chill