regional turbo props

[saviboy]

hi
how do the different turbo props( dash 8, atr, dornier, saab 340/2000, J31,etc...) compare in terms of reliability and ops costs?

 

[WMUSIGPI]

I don't think anyone still operates the Dornier props in airline service anymore. They were nice planes at PSA at least from a rampie prospective. I would have loved to take one around the patch. I know the only 3 Saab 2000's are operated by Hendrick Motorsports (NASCAR). This is a US based statement. There are some running around Europe. The J31 was a POS! That is first hand knowledge.

 

[DoinTime]

Once you learned where all the appropriate circuit breakers were located, the Saab 340 was pretty reliable.

 

[cforst513]

doesn't usairway fly dorniers? check out this guy's aviation pictures. aren't a few of those dorniers?

http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/pictures_from_my_job

 

[Paladin]

The fourth sentence at the top of the page reads...

"This fall, PSA completed its transition to an all CRJ fleet."

There are no D328s around anymore in the US. I think Corning Inc. operates one as a corporate shuttle though.

 

[711-24-7]

Oh there are DO-Props in the U.S. But they are all parked in U.S.Airways Paint scheme in MYR. Just sitting their collecting dust next to Delta DO-Jets.

 

[BlackPilot628]

. I know the only 3 Saab 2000's are operated by Hendrick Motorsports (NASCAR). This is a US based statement. There are some running around Europe. The J31 was a POS! That is first hand knowledge.

Joe Gibbs just took delivery of 2 SB20's. I think Hendrick may be looking for 1 more. I'll ask around next time i'm out at the airport in Concord.
I enjoyed flying the JS32. It wasn't the best airplane in the world, but it makes a true pilot out of you.

 

[WMUSIGPI]

Joe Gibbs just took delivery of 2 SB20's. I think Hendrick may be looking for 1 more. I'll ask around next time i'm out at the airport in Concord.
I enjoyed flying the JS32. It wasn't the best airplane in the world, but it makes a true pilot out of you.

The Jetpig does indeed increase your pilot skills. Far cry from the Avro, I can already feel myself losing pilot skills, but dang will I be a great computer programmer here soon, Maybe I can ask for a payraise to what the computer science majors are getting out of college.

 

[SkyWestCRJPilot]

SkyWest has 62 EMB-120s (Brasilias). They are a great airplane. I've never flown any other regional turboprop though so I can't compare. Reliability is a relative term. They are less reliable than the RJs but that's because they are older too. They do have great reliability overall but that's primarily due to SkyWest's great maintenance. They are relatively cheap to operate but I don't know dollar figures. Recently they have become less profitable since the FAA changed the average passenger weights up from 170 lbs to 190 lbs. Many times they are weight restricted with the new passenger weights. There are a lot of Nascar teams flying Brasilias.

 

[Freight Dog]

Ahhh man, no better turboprop than the mighty DHC-8... but then again, I'm a little biased.

What other regional turboprop can land at a 3,000 ft strip on a regular basis and then takeoff again without overly restrictive performance penalties? Man, I miss flying that Canadian POS...

 

[91100 100 set]

Yes, the Dash is a superior airplane. And it looks like they will soldier on for longer than Siegal had anybody believing back in '02 and '03.

 

[FN FAL]

See the camels in the fuel guage? Hmmmm...will the new oil economy bring turboprops back in vouge?

http://www.atraircraft.com/ATRprofile.htm

 

[HughBeamont]

Yes, the Dash is a superior airplane. And it looks like they will soldier on for longer than Siegal had anybody believing back in '02 and '03.

I don't know how many times I heard that second-rate executive say "all-jet fleet". Nothing against jets - but 20 people can only be profitably transported from BOS-SYR on Greyhound or a prop.

 

[91100 100 set]

I don't know how many times I heard that second-rate executive say "all-jet fleet". Nothing against jets - but 20 people can only be profitably transported from BOS-SYR on Greyhound or a prop.

Absolutely. Instead of pouring money into all those 50 seat CRJ's, they ought to have invested in some 400's. I understand that the Dash's are still profitable. So who cares if "people don't like turboprops"? They are still getting on them, aren't they? And how long after Continental Express become on "all jet fleet" did Continental go running off to Commutair for some 19-seat feed.

 

[Northern Lights]

As a ramper, I always preferred the Dash 8 to the Saab. The cargo bin was at waist level, and could be easily loaded by one person. Also, the ground power hooked up to the nose, so it was easy to unhook it and send out the flight. Due to the high wing design, engine exhaust wasn't much of an issue either.

Saab's cargo is higher, and ground power is in the middle or the fuselage, which requires someone to duck under the exhuast to go unplug it.

 

[SWA GUY]

The ATR-42/500 was the best turboprop made. It could carry 48 pax, a lot of freight, and plenty of fuel.

At FL250 it would true at 300+ kts and was quiet with no prop vibration. Plenty of room in the cockpit too.

Also the packs worked very well.

 

[ATRedneck]

The ATR-42/500 was the best turboprop made.

I still get a semi when I think of that airplane. Too bad we only had eight of 'em.