Future regional aircraft

[no1pilot2000]

In 10 to 20 years, what aircraft will be used more at the regional airlines? I have read through this and other aviation web sites that the RJ will possibly become used increasly less and the turbo prop. will play a greater role in regional airline operations. Any thoughts to what kinds of aircraft we may see being used more in the coming years?

 

[Salukipilot4590]

Ideally?

Q400s will dominate all routes less than 1000 miles and everything above 1000 miles will be flown by a turbojet under a mainline.

Realistically?

Boeing 757s will be flown by Mesa, and Gulfstream will be offering courses in the A320 for the low price of $149,999.99.

You heard it here first...

 

[SPDBRD747400]

Boeing 757s will be flown by Mesa, and Gulfstream will be offering courses in the A320 for the low price of $149,999.99.

You heard it here first...

Mesa Sucks!

 

[goahead]

Nope DAL sucks for selling out scope and making career regional pilots. Unless you're a minority of course.

 

[Salukipilot4590]

Unless you're a minority of course.

U mad?

 

[AntiJedi]

If the UA/CO pilots have their way, then it'll be the Cessna Caravan. Oh wait. That's too big.

 

[DoinTime]

In 10 to 20 years, what aircraft will be used more at the regional airlines? I have read through this and other aviation web sites that the RJ will possibly become used increasly less and the turbo prop. will play a greater role in regional airline operations. Any thoughts to what kinds of aircraft we may see being used more in the coming years?

Turboprops are a dead platform. Economically, they make a lot of sense but passengers don't like them now just they didn't like them years ago. I would expect that RJ efficiencies will improve with new models getting introduced (like the MRJ). Geared turbofans and ground up composite engineering will have a sizable effect on the economy of this class of aircraft. None of the RJs currently flying were really ever designed to be RJs (except for the big EMB's and they were never designed to be uber efficient). They were just rebuilds from otherwise irrelevant airframes. If the technology in the 787 pans out, you can bet other types will be engineered to take advantage of them.

 

[johnsonrod]

Hopefully mainline MECs will make sure they keep most flying, so we can then all move toward mainline rates on their seniority lists. That will leave guys like ePilot22 to fly jetstream 31s.

 

[the palm]

In 10 years there will be no "mainline" domestic flying except for long haul trans continental stuff. It will all be done by "regionals" operating everything from 0-130 seats.

 

[OurMoney1]

I see the Q400 making its presence felt. Additionally look to see the ATR picked up by operators again. The French are once again on the drawing boards improving this already proven aircraft.