The Cessna 421C Twin Is Like Having Your Own Private Jet

This aircraft and many more can be dry leased via www.airmojo.io
The 1981 Cessna 421C is a twin-engine, pressurized, light aircraft designed for both personal and business travel. It features two Continental GTSIO-520-L engines, each producing 375 horsepower, allowing for a cruise speed of approximately 240 knots and a maximum range of around 1,500 nautical miles. The 421C's pressurized cabin comfortably seats up to eight passengers, offering a quiet and smooth ride at altitudes up to 30,000 feet.
The 421C model introduced several improvements over its predecessors, including a redesigned wing without tip tanks, resulting in better handling and fuel efficiency. It also features an improved landing gear system with trailing link main gear, providing smoother landings. With its spacious interior, large baggage compartments, and excellent performance, the 1981 Cessna 421C remains a popular choice for owners seeking a versatile and reliable light aircraft.
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[@Tranquifly]

Great airplane and very reliable. I’ve owned one for 5 years with over 700 hours. Never had any issue with the engines or the plane for that matter. Join the twin Cessna owners club and get information from real owners.

[@Pilotc180]

They are a good, old, comfortable twin to fly; the only issue is maintenance and operational expenses are about the same as a B 52🙁

[@daleyingling4868]

@@Pilotc180 Yep, I've got 3 of them and love flying them!

[@heaven-is-real]

what a sweet airplane

[@davidnelson8081]

Sorry, not lycomings. The 421 series had the Continental GTSIO 520 engines. Geared, turbocharged around 375hp each

[@fener_bahce]

I had a 81, trailing link C 🥰 loved every moment of my 200+ hours flying her and very expensive to run and maintain but, worth every penny

[@AlanMydland-fq2vs]

h😂😂❤e forgot to mention geares motors

[@afcgeo882]

Yeah… $600/hr is quite a bit more than most other turbo twins.

[@MrCrazyjoe259]

I think the big twin Cessnas are gorgeous.

[@sandysmithvideos228]

The 425 Cessna was the sweet spot, PT-6's, proven 421C air frame and I didn't have to spin props on the 425 like the Garretts on the 441.

[@ismailcift]

Great video from a great guy. Love this aircraft. Thanks for the video

[@chucklemasters6433]

talk to somebody who has been around aviation for a decade or 2 and they will tell you do NOT buy any cessna model with the geared engines such as the skylark or the 421. they spend most of their time in the shop and that is why you can always find a good deal on one. the current owner is tired of draining his wallet on maintenance. the mixmaster or C337 is another one but for a different reason, they have still never figured out how to cool the rear engine properly and it never lasts very long. don't become one of the fools who is so in love with the "golden eagle" that he will not listen to all the old timers who know better. pink elephant would be a more appropriate name.

[@jameshuggins7320]

Yeah but a 1/4 share on one, not so bad. Especially with a freshly overhauled engine on one side, mid time on the other, and a spare in the hangar on a crate.

[@Pilotc180]

Be sure your other partners are wealthy and pay their bills

[@jameshuggins7320]

@@Pilotc180 always

[@fjohnson9749]

If the GTSIOs are operated correctly and thoughtfully they will get TBO. But they are too costly for what you get. There are much better deals out there, with much more performance.

[@tjjoseph333]

So beautiful in the air. Always wondered how the TV Show Wings chose the 402 and the 21 is so much prettier

[@UncaDave]

Cape Air, which is the company flying out of Nantucket and lots of other places, is a short hop airline. They did all the flight scenes you see in Wings. The 402 was a workhorse and much cheaper to operate especially since they are not often at higher altitudes. They are not pressurized and carry no oxygen.

[@tjjoseph333]

@@UncaDave Fell in love with it on the show and did not know this, Friends kid flew a Golden Eagle for a while and took me up a few times and I was hooked for life. Thanks for the info!

[@daveblevins3322]

The twin series of Cessna were beautiful designs and very dependable aircraft. I've had the pleasure of flying the 310, the 340, the 402, the 414, but I don't have much experience with them as I chose a helicopter career.

[@jaglazzarinim2558]

Yeah I love it too I'm in Palo alto and we have 2 airstrips within 5 miles (san Carlos) and East Palo alto

[@triggerpointtechnology]

The best aircraft to own and maintain are those that eventually find their way to the air freight business. The airframes are tough, safe, and the engines tend towards longevity in service. Among these: Piper Navajo Mitsubishi Marquis

[@mitchconner865]

I totally get the appeal of the 421 Cabin class, A/C, pressurized, quiet, fast and many at and below 500k but the safety record is horrible. Forget the exhaust cutting the wings of and the list of expensive maintenance items the geared props are killers. Get a 340 or a 414 or wait until you can afford a C90

[@JBoy340a]

I flew a 340 and have always had a soft spot for twin Cessnas. But I felt I would go turbine for an aircraft the size of a 421. Simpler engines and more power.

[@monteque683]

Right at time 0:36, a red and white Cessna 172 is shown. Funny, I used to rent that back in 2000... :^)

[@brookesprecision6272]

That’s the problem, I am a big guy here and I am so underwhelmed by most modern cockpits

[@mixter7x7]

Like having your own really slow - low altitude jet.

[@chucklemasters6433]

excellent reply

[@afcgeo882]

So not at all a jet.

[@mixter7x7]

@@afcgeo882 The 421 C is not a BAD plane. Some parts are now becoming obsolete. It's turbo charged with a pressurized cabin that's not cramped for space. The forward baggage compartment offsets the weight of cabin passengers keeping the CG centered at the expense of increasing the overall max gross. The combined baggage and passenger weights must be subtracted from the amount of fuel you can put on board to stay under max gross. The advertised cruise speed is no joke for a piston engine plane, but is only achieved by pressurizing the cabin and going up into the 20-25k ' altitude range where the air is thinner. The undoing is cabin maintenance. Most of these planes have not been sufficiently maintained and the cabins leak so badly they are unable to maintain pressurization at their service altitudes. Some of my customers have Eclipse' , Cirrus' , Cessna CJ'S and Mustangs. These aircraft are 300 - 400 mph + and fly easily into high 30k ' range with no problem. ONLY the Cirrus jet is a little slower and lower but has other super safety features. Bang for buck is the old C-90 KIng Air's. Twin PT-6 is fast enough to hurt you and the market is flooded with them. Enough room and power for a big family + stuff.

[@KingKo0]

I fly a C421B for work and I absolutely love that airplane. It’s very expensive to operate tho

[@chrisanderson4799]

We had two operators of 421s at our airport. One sold it and bought a Cheyenne one and the other sold his and bought a MU2. Both say they operate the turbo props cheaper than they did the 400 series.

[@cl65captain]

@@chrisanderson4799@chrisanderson4799 A twin Cessna is an awful expensive way to fly slow.

[@chucklemasters6433]

if you had to pay the maintenance bills you would not fly one guaranteed!

[@KingKo0]

@@chrisanderson4799 I believe it for sure!

[@KingKo0]

@@chucklemasters6433 definitely wouldn’t lol

[@fjohnson9749]

Its actually cheaper to own and operate a MU2 Marquise. The MU2 has much more performance, larger & nicer cabin and is a true 300kt aircraft.

[@triggerpointtechnology]

Probably about the same, $1,000 an hour.

[@robertmccombs8254]

One drawback is geared engines, careful no slack either on or off no coast

[@Skiridr22]

Mike Question: now that you have your own hanger, will your team have any form of service if anyone passing through need to stop for an overnight or a couple days and may need services on their pane.

[@johnelliott3617]

No, it is not even close to a Turbo Jet, it is a prop driven airplane.

[@afcgeo882]

It’s not even a turboprop.

[@silverwings1843]

Lots of time in this coming up the ladder. Nice stable aircraft but demands careful and serious operation. But manageable.

[@RickYeakel]

Way too expensive compared with others of that vintage.

[@johnisley4578]

Yep but after filling it with fuel, this leaves only around 800 lbs for 8 POB and baggage !!! not much at all.

[@jameshuggins7320]

Sounds like you need to step up to a turboprop or jet.

[@johnisley4578]

@@jameshuggins7320 LOL, I'm commanding 737's / A320's most days of my life, even so, the new Piper Fury M700 for example, once fuelled you'll be lucky to seat 2 PAX inc the pilot with a couple of backpacks !

[@FlightX101]

True but these planes go quite far for 95% of their missions so rarely would a pilot need to top the tanks. If they need full furl regularly they need a turboprop like a king air lol

[@TazziedoesWT]

@@johnisley4578the meridians are so strange, like yeah, great speed, great power, horrible carrying capacity (let alone, no trailing edge gear) so harder landing. Dont get me wrong, if you’re taking is distance i reckon 90% of the time people are not taking a full load, but even still, its so small.

[@johnisley4578]

@@FlightX101 Unless you live in Australia such as myself whereas you can fly 2000 miles and still be in Australia.

[@kurakuson]

Merlin III

[@MichaelConey-f6g]

200ktns ??? Not a jet like

[@BB-dp4kh]

The C441 is similar but better than C421

[@landen99]

10 mpg? on aviation fuel, ouch.. Also, who has the money for a TBM? what?

[@captainbuck5969]

ONLY 45 years old.

[@kiaya20]

This airplane is not bringing the whole “crew” and cruising at FL250. It’s nice you managing this plane, but your making more then what it is.. a nice plane, yes… but it’s a tired old workhorse and and flying freight 300NM is what it has left. Not a VIP transport.

[@ronaldcuieii8639]

Hey buddy, long time very very nice.

[@johnkilgore1055]

The C421 is an albatross! Money pit disguised as an airplane. The Continental GTIO520H’s were anything BUT reliable. Insurance was unavailable for low time twin pilots. They would EAT an unqualified, inexperienced, or careless pilot. The 9yrs I flew one as a contract pilot, I always felt the plane was trying to kill me! The low-mid time engines were money pits, and constantly having issues. There is a reason they are bargains on the used markets and why the jets rapidly replaced them in the new aircraft market and became the standard of corporate aviation.

[@conquest7563]

Sorry bro the C421C is not like a jet.

[@chrisanderson4799]

The 421 has a nice cabin but the per mile cost are higher than a turboprop of the same era. I’m a corporate pilot with about 11,600 hrs. The one plane I will no longer step foot into is the 421. I’ve had too many colleagues get killed in these things. These were good pilots with lots of experience and training. Those geared engines are a different beast. For my money I would buy a Short Body MU2, Conquest 1, or a Cheyenne 1 or 2 over a 421 any day of the week

[@chucklemasters6433]

totally agree except for the mu2 DEATHTRAP! i flew a king air 90 for 15 years and accumulated 1500 hours in it myself. pretty hard to beat that airplane and you lost all credibility with me by including the mu2 in your list and not the king air. what airplane outlasted every single other twin turbo prop and is STILL in production today? the first and last period! that should tell you everything you need to know about this class of aircraft. also why would you include the mu2 over the merlin and the aero commander?

[@chrisanderson4799]

@@chucklemasters6433 in the Turbo Prop World, I’ve flown the Cheyenne III, the Caravan 208B, the PC12, the MU2 Long Body, the Commander 1000, the Meridian, and the Kodiak 100. I have shared hangars with King Air 200’s, Piagios, Starships, TBM’s, and Merlin’s. I’ve never heard anybody say anything good about the Merlin. The guys that flew the one that was in the hanger with me each had over 15,000 hours and had flowing probably 100 different turbine airplanes each and also the Merlin would kill you quicker than any other airplane they ever flown. Personally, I like the PC 12 the best . I’ve got over 3600 hours in it. My least favorite was the Twin Commander even over the MU2. In the jet world, I flown the CJ series, the BeechJet, the Sabre 65, the Hawker through the 900, the Phenom 300, the Pilatus PC24, and the Falcon 2000EZ. The PC 24 is downright amazing. The Falcon 2000EZ is a very efficient and neat airplane. I keep the KA out of the list because of purchase price. The 90 is in reach but slow cruise speed for that era of 90. I know they got faster towards the end of the production run but cost is the reason I left it out. Same reason for the best turboprop ever, the PC12! I always wanted to fly the Baby Super King Air, the F90 By the way, in the last 10 years since the FAA has mandated trading on the M2, it is now the safest TwinTurbo prop in the air. The only safer turbo prop is the PC 12.

[@daleyingling4868]

The problem is that engines on turbo props are so expensive and phase or timed inspection, also expensive. Plus 90 gallons/hour vs 45 gallons per hour.

[@chrisanderson4799]

@@daleyingling4868 per mile cost is what matters. That and a host of other reasons is why the PC12 has dominated the market for nearly 30 years. Fuel flow is only a small part of the equation. Turbine engine TBO’s are as much as 3 times that of pistons. Speed, capability, payload, ect.

[@fjohnson9749]

Right on, 2 years in different model 421s from A to C flying for a developer out of Florida. Worked in 28 states. Finally bought a Marquise and a couple of months later the CFO thanked me for talking the Boss into it. The MU2 was cheaper to run than the 421, not to mention being better in every way. The short body with -10s, the Solitaire is a real performer.

[@triggerpointtechnology]

Just like a jet, until an engine fails. Then it’s just like a gut shot goose. Statistically, piston engines fail ten times more often than turboprops. Turboprops fail ten times more often than jets. So all things being equal you are two orders of magnitude safer in a jet, but all things are not equal because a jet will climb ten times faster on one engine than a 421. Add to this a 421 is cheap to buy, and enormously expensive to maintain- properly. A jet is expensive to buy, and expensive to maintain.

[@gregj831]

It's a good airplane until it pukes an engine on takeoff and then your sucking hind wind.

[@kCI251]

LOL, it would be the slowest, least capable jet, it's apples to grapefruit.

[@JRadventures96]

Bro...not a jet. Nice plane and all. But the 421C can not be compared to a jet for many reasons. Starting with top speed, max range, load capacity, max service ceilings, amd then lastly luxuries. Im not bashing the 421C because its a great plane. But its not a jet.

[@JerryWitt-n7z]

He used a Simile. he’s not saying it IS a jet. he is saying IT IS LIKE having a jet. there’s a difference.

[@ratsofatso5525]

​@@JerryWitt-n7z How is it like having a jet? Not one way.

[@JerryWitt-n7z]

@ Of course there is. It’s pressurized, its designed to be owner operated, Crew requirements are the same, used for business travel and for example, an Eclipse 500 has comparable range, Operating Cost and cabin size are similar. So, Except for the cruise they are similar in several ways.

[@jimsteinway695]

It’s just a title for a video unless you past a law that says titles must be carved in granite. I think most intelligent people understand his point. He’s used to flying a single a nice twin is luxurious

[@jimsteinway695]

@@ratsofatso5525you don’t fly do you?

[@breckmst]

Motivational

[@itlodot]

All the way to the scene kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXqslJ6faMumjNUsi=eJsClSXulEqGAdqj&t=80

[@leecoleman822]

🇺🇸

[@jokerace8227]

True, the local Cape Air flies the similar Cessna 402C.

[@UncaDave]

Not similar at all. Very different engines and fuselage and performance. Plus the 402, although dated, is a much safer and reliable platform.

[@agreen778]

You’ve got the standard yokes….what a dumb statement

[@tominmtnvw]

No, it’s not.

[@reefkeep2]

Clanky engines very noise, I've worked on a lot of these 421's, no love here, kind a reminds me of the old 411's which had the same GTSIO 520 a maintenance nightmare. I really didn't care for these 400 series Cessna's.