Vincent Aviation getting Saab 340's

[Soar2384]

Saw an ad on the AFAP website that Vincent was getting Saab 340's and looking to base them in Darwin and on the east coast. Anyone know where on the east coast they're planning to base them and what the pay and conditions would be? Also does anyone know if there are any ex MacAir guys still without a flying job?

[senshi]

Soar,

The Vincent guys up in Darwin don't even know about this, so it could be a question for the Kiwi's to answer. As for T&C's.. going by what the 1900 drivers are paid, I couldn't imagine it would be all that good. Let's hope i'm wrong!

S

[hardNfast]

Assume they are trying to pick up the Macairs old planes on the cheap

[Soar2384]

Last I heard, those Saab's were still sitting on the tarmac in Townsville. From what I understand they were all leased by MacAir but I guess with the state they were left in the owners may just want to get rid of them as quickly as possible.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but aren't Pel-Air and Rex now the only operators of Saab 340's in Australia? If Vincent aren't offering more money than either of these companies and there aren't any ex MacAir guys left without a flying job then it will be interesting to see where they get there endorsed pilots from.

[PropDuster]

There's at least 1 ex Macair driver without a flying job around the traps :{

[PyroTek]

Last I heard, those Saab's were still sitting on the tarmac in Townsville. From what I understand they were all leased by MacAir but I guess with the state they were left in the owners may just want to get rid of them as quickly as possible.

They don't look to be in very good care at the moment, engines missing etc.
Forkie can tell us more!

[j3pipercub]

It's a lot easier to get a leased engine back vs the whole airframe.

[Flying Bear]

I wish them all the best trying to run the ex-MacAir SAABs! I wonder if they'll try to dodge CASA by operating them on the NZ register too.

I would have thought that their Dash 8 in Darwin would have been a big enough headache without trying to diversify further. History is full of companies that have come a cropper operating too many disparate types. Engineering, crews, ops manuals...

Pay and conditions? Well, it's a Kiwi company - that should answer the question by itself!! Word is they also treat their staff poorly. Perhaps that's why they have had a fair exodus of those pilots capable of moving on to something else...

[slamer.]

Well, if its a Kiwi company trying to do things on the cheap, it'll be full of Australain pilots prepared to work for nothing .... based in Australia rather than NZ for a change

[Shredder6]

History is full of companies that have come a cropper operating too many disparate types. Engineering, crews, ops manuals...

Vincent Aviation have been around for the last 25 years in one form or another, which is a lot more than can be said for some Aussie operators of single types!

Pay and conditions? Well, it's a Kiwi company - that should answer the question by itself!! Word is they also treat their staff poorly. Perhaps that's why they have had a fair exodus of those pilots capable of moving on to something else...

Mate, you're never going to get paid 150k flying a B1900 or a Saab anywhere on the planet! There is an award that everyone gets paid to over there, yes it is more than in NZ for the same job, and of course you're going to move on to bigger and better if the opportunity presents itself, if you so choose. But in the meantime, it's a great job.

Stop whinging and get on with it!

[glekichi]

Metro F/Os in the 70k region??

[TheOtherGuy]

How is it below the award? Looks a bit better than the award to me.
Or do you have no idea but are just wanting to make trouble?

[KRUSTY 34]

Now now Other guy, you know as much as anyone that the "award" is so far below industry standards that it is in practicle terms an award in name only. Most operators that apply the award, merely attract the inexperienced or the desperate.

So if it's monkeys you want, Fill yer boots!

[burty]

Metro F/Os in the 70k region??

Air North Metro command circa 60k.

[TheOtherGuy]

Krusty, The statement was made that their (Vincents) EBA was even below the award. It's not, regardless of how low the award is perceived to be. If someone is going to make statements that claim to be fact and that are critical of a company, they at least have to be correct otherwise it is just mudslinging and the only conclusion one can draw is that they are merely digruntled malcontents with a personal grievance. And we know how many of them there are in this industry!

[Unregistered User]

Must admit,

I find Flying Bears comments most amusing! If one was, or wasn't, to know any better, one with any common dogpoo for brains would assume he/she was grinding an axe.

Nice try FB; It is well known that "frames" of mind can be used as a defence these days..................FFS, Get over it son!

[KRUSTY 34]

Sorry to take your post out of context otherguy'. I appologise.

Still reckon the monkeys thing is valid though. :E

[Flying Bear]

Unregistered User,

Thanks for that! I'll take your advise on notice...Dad.

I think that most of us have been stiffed by operators in the past, I was merely expressing thoughts in the interest of discussion - get used to people having different opinions to yours. You are right, though, I am not Vincent's greatest fan.

My point regarding various types (especially introducing two new types >5700kg simultaneously) has merit based on logic - but if they can pull it off, good for them.

Re pay and conditions, I made no comment regarding that company's EBA, but now that it is topical, hasn't it been a subject of discussion there for nearly a couple of years with no resolution? I think others here made the comparisons to rival operators pay and conditions.

"Frames" of mind? Whatever could you mean?:D

[tourismman]

VH-UYN operated TSV-BNE-WLG on Sunday-Monday just gone.I believe there is a 2nd ex Macair Saab due very soon.

[mattyj]

So the first Saab is in the Wellington Hangar..ZK registration coming..paint job etc..can't be too far away from going on line so who has been lined up for the job..did you have to move to DN?

[Raropilot]

Any further info on where they are going to operate the saab 340B's? A friend of mine is keen to apply - currently flies 340A elsewhere in the world... Any contact details much appreciated :ok:

[chimbu warrior]

Heading north I believe It is painted in the colours of this carrier.

Fly Timor Air (http://www.flytimorair.com/)

[Stationair8]

In Darwin already.

About to put a bit heat on Airnorth's operations.

[ryanboxer]

cant see Timor air kicking off anytime soon

[c173]

anyone know more about the Timor Air outfit?? Are they leasing the plane from Vincent or is Vincent running the whole show just with the Timor livery??

[ryanboxer]

Timor or management has very little experience in the industry and will be leasing.

Timor Air - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timor_Air)

[Skystar320]

About to put a bit heat on Airnorth's operations.

How????????????

[ryanboxer]

exactly they aint

[c173]

I originally heard timor air had just purchased an EMB 120, getting off the ground this year flying Darwin-Dili....any confirmation on the saab being painted in the livery?

[ryanboxer]

i can confirm it has been painted. Under wet lease from vincent

Timor Air (Vincent Aviation) SAAB 340B ZK-VAA (msn 301) BNE (Lloyd Fox) (new airline) | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40168621@N07/5364726276/)

[skylane]

Customers choice, 90 mins in a Saab 340 in the weather, or 50 mins in a ERJ170 above the weather with FF points and full cabin service?

I can remember the Kendal 340A's struggling to get above F180 crossing Bass Strait in ISA+ conditions, so how will the "A" model perform in the Tropics with a LSA of 11200' and no APU.

Any ex Macair crew care to comment?

[Going Nowhere]

I think it's a B/B+ model

[Skystar320]

Simple B Model

[c173]

Heard ops have started Darwin-Dili in the 340, anyone know how it's all going??