For a site that is supposed to be for aviation professionals i am very surprised by the comment above. aircraft age is less important to how well maintained. the comment above re the nosewheel collapse... dash 8 aircraft of much newer vintage have suffered their fair share of gear problems. whilst not exactly glamourous on the inside at the moment as has been mentioned this is likely changing. i remember everyone being perfectly happy to fly ryanair when they had old bac111 and old 737s. ias pointed out above it wouldnt be able to fly if it was unsafe