Paul, apologies accepted on the other email.

My point is, though, that $85K is a low number for a true four seater IFR
platform that performs the way you want it to. The numbers I've seen are
way up in the $135K range.

Don't know who's numbers you have seen but yes, the $135K range is not unusual
but not required either. The difference is in the details and I do mean in the
details. If you do the work yourself and don't have the panel custom
fabricated, custom interiors, constant speed props, FADEC systems, and a host
of other very expensive options, the costs come down considerably. So before
you say it "can't" be done, do the detail research to determine the cost
breakdown and what could be done.

Every bird I've seen that used an O-360/O-320
and had four seats was not really a four seater capable of carrying four
people comfortably with some bags and enough fuel to fly four hours.

You have seen and detailed all the four place aircraft? Don't believe so.

You need a bigger airframe and a bigger engine, thus driving the costs up.

Depends on mission profile. If you intend to fly four and a lot of baggage all
the time, I might agree but if that is NOT your mission, I totally disagree.

Every person that has done this analysis before you either gave up or
settled for a two person airplane that has four seats.

TOTALLY WRONG! And you don't speak for everyone. By the way, I have flown two
different KIS Cruisers with four people on board and in one case it was also
loaded with baggage. Both flights were fairly comfortable and the performance
was great.

Many of these
aircraft are wonderful aircraft - better than production models. They will
haul two people very comfortably with plenty of room for fuel and bags, but
as soon as you put two people in the back, you are very limited in what you
can carry.

Clyde

Hell, I know of many twins that suffer the same fate so should we say that all
twins are equally limited? Sorry Clyde but you need to do a little more
homework.

Bob Reed
www.kisbuild.r-a-reed-assoc.com (KIS Builders Site)
KIS Cruiser in progress...Slow but steady progress....

"Ladies and Gentlemen, take my advice,
pull down your pants and Slide on the Ice!"
(M.A.S.H. Sidney Freedman)