VIRGIN fleet review
Just goes to show how bad things have got. If they think they struggled with a 4th Generation airframe like the Embraer how are the engineers going to deal with these old clunkers. Not to mention the well documented oil fumes problems. Engine TBOs around the 5500 hrs and 2300kg/hr as long as there is no icing. Hope they can find a few blacksmiths to deal with the known mainspar corrosion issues as well.
I suspect the difference is that NJS/Cobham have a handle on how to maintain those airframes, which bits break regularly, have the process for changing an engine down pat (albeit without using QC engines), it will very much depend on who maintains these things, but they aren't a 737, don't have the issues a 737 has and isn't as reliable as a 737, so it will require a mindset change.
The saving grace will be, I assume, that these things will sit around during the day and not fly, so the engineers will have plenty of time to work on them, assuming that they actually employ engineers during the day and not rely on the MEL and good luck to get by.
The saving grace will be, I assume, that these things will sit around during the day and not fly, so the engineers will have plenty of time to work on them, assuming that they actually employ engineers during the day and not rely on the MEL and good luck to get by.
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I suspect the difference is that NJS/Cobham have a handle on how to maintain those airframes, which bits break regularly, have the process for changing an engine down pat (albeit without using QC engines), it will very much depend on who maintains these things, but they aren't a 737, don't have the issues a 737 has and isn't as reliable as a 737, so it will require a mindset change.
The saving grace will be, I assume, that these things will sit around during the day and not fly, so the engineers will have plenty of time to work on them, assuming that they actually employ engineers during the day and not rely on the MEL and good luck to get by.
The saving grace will be, I assume, that these things will sit around during the day and not fly, so the engineers will have plenty of time to work on them, assuming that they actually employ engineers during the day and not rely on the MEL and good luck to get by.
As a side, the few VA engineers I know all worked on 146's back before Virgin existed so they know what they are like (even if the mangement don't).
Operated by VARA
experience in operating old unreliable aircraft.
Interesting that with a little research and digging around I found that NJS/Cobham using these "unreliable aircraft" have a better OTP than Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar and Tiger. Funny that.
So you are saying that they are reliable and don't require a lot of care or experience in maintaining them? Of the 146 drivers I've spoken to they've all said the opposite.
As for OTP are you comparing Cobham 146's to 737/320's operating on 35 minute turns up and down the east cost nearly 24/7?
As for OTP are you comparing Cobham 146's to 737/320's operating on 35 minute turns up and down the east cost nearly 24/7?
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Find it really interesting that on this forum, the addition of 2 BAE-146 aircraft to a small air-freight subsidiary business has attracted more attention then the withdrawal of 18 E-jets. 
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Will the E-jet withdrawal signal a longer wait for off the street recruitment?
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What fleet are you talking about? External recruitment sounds like it will be on to the ATR, 777 or VANZ. External recruitment on to mainline jets looks unlikely given the number of VARA, VANZ and 777 pilots already on the seniority list, plus the E-Jet guys that now will need to find places on the 737. The only thing that might stimulate external recruitment onto VAA jets is if there was a sudden pilot shortage and significant growth, and the existing pilots were bonded and therefore couldn't move. Plus there is a cap on the number of VARA pilots that can go across to VAA so they don't cripple the regional fleets.
Given Virgin's woes and the dying economy there will be no significant growth for the foreseeable future.
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plus the E-Jet guys that now will need to find places on the 737
So wouldn't be holding my breath about external recruitment.
So you are saying that they are reliable and don't require a lot of care or experience in maintaining them? Of the 146 drivers I've spoken to they've all said the opposite
ALL aircraft require the care and experience of engineers. VB had issues with the E Jet until there was some level of experience. The NJS/Cobham engineers are across any issues. Their clients seem happy enough.
Do we as "drivers" (a horrible expression) really know what goes on with maintenance?
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No, I am saying that they are NOT unreliable as stated by WipperSnapper in his/her first ever post.
ALL aircraft require the care and experience of engineers. VB had issues with the E Jet until there was some level of experience. The NJS/Cobham engineers are across any issues. Their clients seem happy enough.
Do we as "drivers" (a horrible expression) really know what goes on with maintenance?
ALL aircraft require the care and experience of engineers. VB had issues with the E Jet until there was some level of experience. The NJS/Cobham engineers are across any issues. Their clients seem happy enough.
Do we as "drivers" (a horrible expression) really know what goes on with maintenance?
Is it just me, or am I the only one who saw that VAA have 10.5 million in operating cash....
Selling th E100 Sounds like a capital free-up to me, in case credit becomes tight. A small loss on routes where B737 replaces E190 and let the "cheaper" capital assets fill the void on a small inefficiency until there is more money in the bank.
I haven't looked at the debt yield ratio's. Anyone?
Selling th E100 Sounds like a capital free-up to me, in case credit becomes tight. A small loss on routes where B737 replaces E190 and let the "cheaper" capital assets fill the void on a small inefficiency until there is more money in the bank.
I haven't looked at the debt yield ratio's. Anyone?
Last edited by Bula; 19th Mar 2016 at 09:13.
Someone has.....Look at where the share price closed on Friday. Although considered not an actively traded stock its performance does seem particularly woeful even with the Friday afternoon closing price shenanigans.