STOL
Gentlemen
Many thanks for all the information.
A little background. It has been suggested in the local paper that there are faster, cheaper fixed-wing alternatives to the S61 helicopter that currently operates the route carrying 25+ pax and bags. I was fairly sure that there wasn't a fixed wing aircraft that could offer more seats than the helicopter on public transport flights to St Mary's on a 600 metre runway. I believe there might be a further problem with a gradient of up to 6% although I note and read in wonder of operations into and out Courcheval. However, I have little knowledge of fixed-wing performance and PPrune seemed the best source of info.
It seems clear from your answers that the only contender would be the Dash 7.
Twochai and V1...oops make it clear that the Dash 7 could operate the service performance-wise but not profitably. Which is no doubt why it has never flown the route.
Ex-Grunt Nice bit of lateral thinking. I never considered the Osprey.
It would be an interesting sight watching Hercules and Transalls thundering in and out. I had considered the Dornier 228 but it offers 6-8 pax less than the S61.
I suspect that the S61 will continue to operate the route, soon to be from Lands End airport alongside the Twin Otters and Islanders, with perhaps a Westland Heli-liner as an aventual replacement.
Many thanks for your time and thoughts. PPrune at its best.
Boslandew