Page 58 - Volume 16 Number 10

by David MillerShe Said Yes... Kind OfFor the past year or so, Patty and I have been discussing a new airplane. Actually, I have been doing most of the discussing, mainly in my sleep. At 3:00 a.m., I mumble something about a Cessna M2 and she gently slaps my head as if I am snoring. She, on the other hand, has been reluctant to verbalize her feelings because she doesn’t like to swear in public. But, early this summer, she became less negative to the idea of another airplane. Not positive, just less negative. The Mustang has been the best airplane I have owned in terms of price and performance. So, why in the world do I need something more? That is an excellent question that you may have asked yourself on occasion. I have rationalized all sorts of reasons like, the grandkids are getting bigger, Republicans might take over the Senate, and our dog Peaches needs a bigger seat to sit in. These are incredibly important considerations.I did, however, come up with something you might be able to use. We have a mountain home in Crested Butte, Colorado, and fly into Gunnison (elevation 7,680 feet). Often during the summer, we must rise at 5:30 in order to depart at cool enough temperatures to have a safe single-engine climb gradient after an engine failure. After extensive calculations, I told Patty that a new airplane would allow us to depart two hours later, providing her ample time to do her hair. She thought about this concept for quite a while before telling me that I was full of crap.Then one foggy Christmas Eve, as the song goes, Patty didn’t say no for an entire day. I took that to mean yes. After lively discussions, we reached an agreement to sell the Mustang and look for an upgrade. I am not at liberty to disclose the terms of the agreement but it involves future draft choices, a player to be named later, and expensive Cabernet.With 5,000-plus hours in his logbook, David Miller has been flying for business and pleasure for more than 40 years. Having owned and flown a variety aircraft types, from turboprops to midsize jets, Miller, along with his wife Patty, now own and fly a Citation Mustang. You can contact David at davidmiller1@ sbcglobal.net.Ultimately, the decision often comes down to, “Can you afford it?” When I asked my friend Stuart Fred why he has two L-39’s he answered, “Because I can.” In my case, I couldn’t afford a new M2. Instead, I settled on a used CJ1+. A little faster, a little farther, a little newer. I thought about using the old saying, “Older scotch, younger women, faster airplanes,” but just didn’t think Patty would support that idea.So, now that we have “agreed” on a new airplane, what’s next? The easy part is making the decision. The hard part is finding the right airplane, selling yours, getting trained, and not making any big mistakes along the way. The good news is that I have identified a 1+ that I simply must have. The bad part is I have not sold the Mustang yet.For the record, Patty has so far refused to look at any pictures of the new airplane.Stayed tuned and fly safely.ON FINAL56 • TWIN & TURBINE OCTOBER 2012