Am I the only one dreaming about something like this?

[krabu]

I was discussing aeroplanes with my father over lunch today and could'nt get the dream of an own small business turboprop of my head - so after a little search I found these two beauties.
Even if the interior are looking a little bit :trash: how difficult would it be to replace the seats with new ones and individualize it too something much more fanzy?
How about a wide-screen plasma tv, playstation2, dvd-player and a good soundsystem (satellite speakers ofcourse - they weight less) and then ofcourse a small closet with the "survival kit" (a bottle of chilled champagne, a couple of glasses, some cognac and a good cigar collection).
But then you end up at the allways so irritating question - what's the price? Well those one of these planes are yours for 500 000 - 600 000 $.
But maybe sometime in the future...or maybe still not...
Here's a couple of pictures anyway:


1979 Swearingen/Fairchild Merlin IIIB - exterior 1


1979 Swearingen/Fairchild Merlin IIIB - exterior 2


1979 Swearingen/Fairchild Merlin IIIB - interior 1


1979 Swearingen/Fairchild Merlin IIIB - interior 2




1980 Piper Cheyenne II - exterior 1


1980 Piper Cheyenne II - exterior 2


1980 Piper Cheyenne II - interior 1


1980 Piper Cheyenne II - interior 2


And then I found the perfect aeroplane for those of you who's only planing a one-way trip...
http://www.chooseyouritem.com/airpla...6500/6991.html

[cannonball]

That's one intresting idea. But there's some problems you should know about.
For example is their quite hard restrictions about service-intervals, fly-time on each engine, fly-time on the wings and much more. So a plane that's 20 years old may only have like 1000 hours of fly-time left before you must do a full engine-service that costs around 25 000 € I think - and remember that the planes your looking at has two engines.
Even if it's safer with two engines you will directly double the price-tag on every engine / fuel bill. And is't worth that?
Then there's the problem with the old navigatonssystem, probably you will need (or, not need - want) to change the navigationsystem into a new GPS one and some other better communication-eqipment. So even if the plane only costs 500 000 € you will have additional costs at about 250 000 € before you have a modern-standard plane.
For 750 000 € you get very many first class tickets.

[bilbozilla]

you can also look into jet charters. You simply pay by the hour. I tell you, there is nothing like walking into the general aviation area and having a plane waiting for you.

[Aragorn]

Originally posted by krabu
Even if the interior are looking a little bit :trash: how difficult would it be to replace the seats with new ones and individualize it too something much more fanzy?

The designer in me would love to refurbish the interior of an airplane and, yes, it would be easy--and fun!

How about a wide-screen plasma tv, playstation2, dvd-player and a good soundsystem (satellite speakers ofcourse - they weight less) and then ofcourse a small closet with the "survival kit" (a bottle of chilled champagne, a couple of glasses, some cognac and a good cigar collection).

Now we're talking!

Originally posted by bilbozilla
you can also look into jet charters. You simply pay by the hour.

That's a good idea! If it's not primarily the joy of flying you're seeking, why not charter a plane? Check out Privatair, they seem to have a fleet of nicely appointed aircraft.
Privatair

Originally posted by bilbozilla
I tell you, there is nothing like walking into the general aviation area and having a plane waiting for you.

I bet! Much better than the other week, when, apparently, I was re-scheduled to a different flight and--jet-lagged as I was--didn't notice the change... until my name was called out. As I boarded the plan, a number of already-seated passengers gave me some pretty evil glares... :bang: