On Tue, 7 Mar 2006 22:38:10 +0000, Tailhook
wrote:


I'm an retired Navy pilot with lots of time (6000)--but nothing in the
past 15 years--but my children are now moving all over the country and
I'd like to get back into the air to visit them. I know little about
the general aviation market or products but I'm partial to twin engines
if only because they gives you an option when the weather deteriorates
and so does one engine. I'm looking for the following:

reliable and affordable--under $200K
4-passenger capability (real passengers--none of my kids are under 6')
twin preferred--or logic why a single engine is not really an
emergency
range: 1000 NM
speed: 160 KIAS +
pressurized cabin (a preference but not a requirement)
reasonable IFR package--but state of the art not needed
Some idea of annual maintenance costs I need to be planning on

Check out risingup.com. It has a performance database of nearly all
production GA planes. You can search for aircraft types based upon
performance parameters.

Then use aso.com or controller.com to get an idea of the aircraft
price range.

The 1000nm range is going to eliminate a lot of aircraft. Also, that
is a really long time to stay aloft if you are flying at 160kts.

As you get into your search, remember that the purchase price only
scratches the surface on aircraft expenses. Insurance + hangar fees +
maintenance + fuel & oil costs can be quite large, particularly on a
larger engined twin. I would budget at least $20k / year to fly a
Baron or similar twin (not including acquisition or loan costs).

-Nathan