The Cessna 340 is a standout thanks to payload/fuel flexibility and near 200-knot cruise speeds. Pressurization is an added plus.

Although airplanes are often sold as business and transportation tools, the reality of ownership falls short of the ideal. They either lack the range, the carrying capacity or the ability to deal with real-world weather, thus an airline or a charter outfit gets the call.

Still, there are plenty of pilot/businessmen who couldn’t function without an airplane. These owners typically start with single-engine airplanes and quickly outgrow them for the reasons stated above. A serious business airplane needs a decent cabin, credible speed and the ability to hack it when there’s ice or thunder in the forecast. Pressurization is nice since the clients don’t want to spend several hours with a…