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“Being in the lawnmower busi- ness means that we are by nature not in the big cities very often. We are generally in the suburbs or more rural areas further away from a large com- mercially accessible airport. This is where general aviation really comes
Recently completed tailwheel training.
into play. I can be anywhere in my ter- ritory in about three hours, and there are a lot of general aviation airports that put me close to my customers.”
Overall, he has many positive things to say about being a PA-46 owner and how it has enabled growth
in both new and 35-plus-year re- lationships. “I have enjoyed every last bit of it. I have put 320 hours on the plane in a year, even with giving it up for two months. During that time, I put in a brand-new interior and panel. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The panel came on time and on budget, exactly as it was ex- pected. We installed twin G500 TXi’s, two GTN 750Xi’s, and a GFC 600. It’s just beautiful.”
And it’s not the upgrades alone that Plotka has enjoyed about the owner- ship experience, either. “I love the efficiency of the JetProp and the price per mile. I’m burning about 32 gallons an hour and typically see 258 to 260 [knots] true, but I’m always at 26,000 or 27,000 feet. I know some that prefer to fly it at 22 to 24, and they’re burn- ing 30 gallons an hour and pulling the power back, but that’s not me. If I’m not hurting anything, I will go as fast as I can go. I like to get there as quick as I can because it’s for business.”
28 • TWIN & TURBINE / August 2022
Paul Bowen
http://www.airtoair.net/