new hawaii airline doing proving runs

[aviator66]

I am not most people. It's designed mission is to haul cargo NOT people.

Here you go smarty:

The SD3-60 is a stretched developement of the 330 model. The 360 first flew in 1981. It is unpressurized with a more conventional tail than the 330. The engines are a higher reated version of the PT6A and the outer wing and bracing strut is strengthened. The 360 Advanced was first flown in 1985 featuring more powerful PT6A-65AR engines. In 1987 the Advanced version was superceded by the 360-300 that is powered by the more powerful PT6A-67R engines. About 180 SD3-60 aircraft were manufactured of all models. Almost all have been in commercial passenger operations. At the same Operators Conference it was estimated that 141 are still in operation. There were 46 of the 360-300 manufactured. These aircraft start out as passenger aircraft, and then are re-configured to haul cargo!
Now c'mon, can't we all get along, and just admire each other's aircraft. Remember, "those who live in glass houses...well you know the rest".
Aloha,
T.

 

[T-Gates]

I am not most people. I never had the misfortune to fly one though. It was offered to me but I turned it down since it spent more time in the hangar than in the air. It's designed mission is to haul cargo NOT people.

Misfortune to fly one?? So my point again, is if you have NEVER flown one...how would you have first hand knowledge as to how it flys?? I think it flys pretty dam n well. It may be slow, ugly, and carry boxes, but it pays 3 times more than what your making flying that ohhh so shiny Reset Jet for Peaknuckle.

 

[B190Captain]

Come on T-Gates

Just because you fly it doesn't make it the best aircraft ever flown. Please, to fly in that thing was mere torture for passengers. Flies low and slow, sways from side to side. I have flown on it many times deadheading and it was not an enjoyable experience. That story that CRJDog told was kinda funny I must admit. Lighten up will ya?

It definetly has it's advantages hauling cargo but not much brain power was used to make it a passenger friendly airplane.

Just my .02 cents.

 

[T-Gates]

Yeah, I probaly should lighten up... But it is getting old. I'm getting sick and tired of having some RJ FO at a regional turn around when I ask for a jumpseat and say "Oh geez, I'm sorry...you fly a Shorts?" or "You trying to get to the regionals?" and give some cynical smile...

So needless to say it gets OLD...

 

[Freight Dog]

Does Trans Air still require Shorts FO's fork out 10 grand for the "privilege" ?

 

[aviator66]

Does Trans Air still require Shorts FO's fork out 10 grand for the "privilege" ?

The "Privelege" has gone up to 11g's, if you can believe that!
Aloha,
T.

 

[Freight Dog]

The "Privelege" has gone up to 11g's, if you can believe that!
Aloha,
T.

How do you compete with a company that charges people to work for it? Better yet, where do you find idiots willing to pay to work?

 

[aviator66]

How do you compete with a company that charges people to work for it? Better yet, where do you find idiots willing to pay to work?

I think that these low time "idiot" pilots that you speak of see this as an opportunity to get valuable multi-turbine time in order to advance their careers as fast as possible. Now granted it is a big chunk of change, however there are a large number of smaller airlines that have pay for training, and the aircraft that they fly is usually smaller or they're receps. Here in Hawaii I know of at least two that are still implementing such training.
As far as competing, IMHO I think that you guys don't have to worry about these "smaller" airlines. In fact I think that they help out with coverage to the smaller airports.
There's my .02
Aloha,
T.

 

[English]

Alpine Air is PFT as well.

Nice way to win a postal contract, eh?

Where are these PFT'ers expecting to be hired? Aloha or Hawaiian?

 

[RJP]

Wow, I go away to work and come back to find an entire page added here. Now for my $.02 (that's 2 cents, not .02 cents....;-))

I have to agree that everyone needs to be more sensitive about bagging on others' aircraft. Seems that this is a touchy-feely sort of board and people get pissed quick when you call their plane a piece of crap.

I flew in a shorts when American Eagle (or whoever the hell they were in 1987) was flying them out of ORD. It was a POS then and it's doubtful it's gotten much better with age. It's ugly but at least it has a nice paint job. Don't take it personal, as long as you enjoy you job, that's all that matters.

As for the PFT issue, it's a joke. Some guys were getting into Alpine for $3k then all of a sudden it was $13k. $11k for Trans Air? And what are the guarantees. How many hours do you get for this $$? What about the sorry individuals that get their xxx hrs and don't get retained?

It is amazing to think that folks would pay $11-13k for some "training" and to be slapped around by a company in order to build multi time. WP can't fill their classes so maybe people are scrambling to get that elusive 200 multi to interview there. Whatevahs.

The biggest issue for TransAir will be logistics. Word is that they are looking to squeeze into the space between Island Air and Pacific Wings in HNL. Mahalo was there once. There's no room on the ramp for anyone with WPs expansion and not much space inside the terminal.

So many questions, so little time.

 

[Trash8Mofo]

Heard a rumor that they are going to fly the shorts to Guam and do mid-air refueling. I think the most challenging aspect of the inflight refueling is that it is extremely difficult to slow down the shorts as it is most aerodynamically efficent. I also heard that because of the refueling thing, Trans air is considering replacing the PT-6 engines with the RR high bypass Turbofans. Because of the limited fuel that the shorts can carry, the FAA has made an exception for Trans air to operate under Part 121-6-4b, which states that the min fuel can be reduced from alt+45mins to alt-15mins, or planned plus 15mins, whichever is less.

 

[RJP]

Heard a rumor that they are going to fly the shorts to Guam and do mid-air refueling. I think the most challenging aspect of the inflight refueling is that it is extremely difficult to slow down the shorts as it is most aerodynamically efficent. I also heard that because of the refueling thing, Trans air is considering replacing the PT-6 engines with the RR high bypass Turbofans. Because of the limited fuel that the shorts can carry, the FAA has made an exception for Trans air to operate under Part 121-6-4b, which states that the min fuel can be reduced from alt+45mins to alt-15mins, or planned plus 15mins, whichever is less.

Maybe they'll just land on a fast-moving boat and refuel.

 

[aviator66]

Heard a rumor that they are going to fly the shorts to Guam and do mid-air refueling. I think the most challenging aspect of the inflight refueling is that it is extremely difficult to slow down the shorts as it is most aerodynamically efficent. I also heard that because of the refueling thing, Trans air is considering replacing the PT-6 engines with the RR high bypass Turbofans. Because of the limited fuel that the shorts can carry, the FAA has made an exception for Trans air to operate under Part 121-6-4b, which states that the min fuel can be reduced from alt+45mins to alt-15mins, or planned plus 15mins, whichever is less.

LOL,
Actually, the feds are allowing seat rows 2 through 6 to be removed, and in these rows will be the new and improved styrofoam ferry tanks, allowing the longer routes to Guam and Saipan. Of course the smoking lamp will be lit!
Aloha,
T.

 

[RJP]

LOL,
Actually, the feds are allowing seat rows 2 through 6 to be removed, and in these rows will be the new and improved styrofoam ferry tanks, allowing the longer routes to Guam and Saipan. Of course the smoking lamp will be lit!
Aloha,
T.

Good one! Now that AQ is dropping Rarotonga, that should be on TransAir's expansion list too. Think big!

By the way, how good is the air conditioning on those things?

 

[Sleepyhead]

Just roll down the window.

 

[nimtz]

Misfortune to fly one?? So my point again, is if you have NEVER flown one...how would you have first hand knowledge as to how it flys?? I think it flys pretty dam n well. It may be slow, ugly, and carry boxes, but it pays 3 times more than what your making flying that ohhh so shiny Reset Jet for Peaknuckle.

Boys, give up trying to educate those who can't understand. We that flew that 'ugly POS' know very well just how much of joy it was to fly. After 3,000+ hours in the taco jet I still miss my Shorts...

 

[RJP]

Boys, give up trying to educate those who can't understand. We that flew that 'ugly POS' know very well just how much of joy it was to fly. After 3,000+ hours in the taco jet I still miss my Shorts...

they're probably hiring....