Being a bit of a newbie myself especially when it comes to the financial side of Aviation I have a few questions.
Most of you have mentioned how Turbine powered aircraft like the C208, Pac750 etc... aren't as economical for shorter hops because of the engine cycles, when you talk about Engine Cycles i'm assuming you're referring to the Startup/Shutdowns. Could this short fall not be easily solved by the use of multi-crew/ground crew which then removes the need to shut down?? I understand these crew would be an extra cost of course but certainly there would be ways to absorb these costs either by either contracting people to do the work only on the days you need them or at no extra cost for companies with existing ground facilities.
How does the use of leased engines by companies who specialise in overhauls reduce the costs?? I'm referring to buying the Airframe but leasing the engine which is then simply swapped out for another engine that is delivered, ready to go with the other engine then being sent away to the leasing company for overhaul who can do the job cheaper in their own facilities with their own staff?
Also a lot of companies these days seem to be coming around to the reliability of newer Single Engine Turbine Aircraft as opposed to older Twin Pistons which is reflected by some mining companies now allowing their staff to transfer on them so would this not also make them a more viable option?