Clear on Top

My agency is in the aircraft insurance business, but I often get calls from clients and friends asking my opinion as to which airplane to buy.  Other than from an insurability aspect, I sometimes feel a bit presumptuous advising anyone on aircraft type.    In answering this question, I reley on my own experience in operating various company aircraft over the years, and on the experiences of my clients and friends.  One example that is all too frequent is; should I buy a TBM 700 or 850 or a PC-12?  Actually the only similarity between these two aircraft is that they are both single engine turboprops and they both have wings. 

If they asked my opinion between a King Air 200 and a PC-12 or between a TBM and a Piper Meridian, I could understand it.  It seems that they are debating their ability to fly the aircraft rather than the mission they hope to accomplish. 

The PC-12 and the King Air 200 are designed to serve larger seating demands where the TBM and like aircraft are designed for the owner operator that spends most of his flying hours alone, with his small family, or just a few guests. 

The answer as to which aircraft to select is not the ability to fly, or even the price but the mission.  My answer to these callers are questions, “What do you want the aircraft to do?”  “What is the renege of operation?” ” How many passengers will you be carrying?”  “How much cargo, luggage, golf clubs or ski gear will you be packing on board?”  “Do you need a lav?”  Some of these questions  lead you back to the types of passengers that will be regularly on board.  Are your passengers children or older people that may need the convenience of on board restroom facilities?  Where are you operating your aircraft?  Heavy winter flying will require aircraft capable of winter operations.  Mountain flying can impose another special capability. 

These and numerous other questions will dictate the aircraft you select.  It is not what your best friend purchased or the aircraft with the prettiest interior.  You will be most satisfied – and can best afford – an aircraft that meets YOUR specific mission parameters, as they exist – not as you wish they would be.