flybe more q400's?
Join Date: Jul 2002
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As SLF that has used both the FlyBe 146s and Q400s quite a lot now, I prefer the new clean & shiny Q - particularly if sitting in the back, away from the props. I know the books may give faster speed to the 146 but real flying time differences are all lost in the general scatter of winds and fast or slow turnrounds. And we don't get the lovely flaps-going-in-&-out noise that the 146 world loves!
Join Date: Mar 1999
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Retired? Well, not quite. It's just that my navigation is really bad. I started digging the escape tunnel in Edinburgh and ended up in NZ instead of Southampton.
How I miss the endless positioning... the airport standbys... the BHX/SOU Hilton... threatening phone calls from crewing... watching the mice running around the BHX crewroom... crew meals... ah, those were the days!
As for the Dash... nah, no thanks. I did my time on the F27 - now that was man's aeroplane... not like the glorified arcade game with the big whirly bits on it.
Now where did I put that beer...
How I miss the endless positioning... the airport standbys... the BHX/SOU Hilton... threatening phone calls from crewing... watching the mice running around the BHX crewroom... crew meals... ah, those were the days!
As for the Dash... nah, no thanks. I did my time on the F27 - now that was man's aeroplane... not like the glorified arcade game with the big whirly bits on it.
Now where did I put that beer...
Join Date: Mar 2001
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First up BPM......... Now I know what you meant when you said you were trying to get me to take the bait! Thanks to the gossips in our company it's no secret I've been looking elsewhere. But that's not because I don't like the Q and want to get off it. It's because I want to go long haul and to do that I need jet hours which I'm unlikely to get here.
and just for fun - this morning, after the 146 left JER about 3 mins before us, we outclimbed them, and ended up reaching our cruising alt with them 800ft below. We weren't empty so don't go using that as an excuse. It's simple! The 400 CAN outclimb the jet!
and just for fun - this morning, after the 146 left JER about 3 mins before us, we outclimbed them, and ended up reaching our cruising alt with them 800ft below. We weren't empty so don't go using that as an excuse. It's simple! The 400 CAN outclimb the jet!
Join Date: Aug 1999
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Airwise news, usually a very good source, carries the following today:
November 18, 2004
British regional airline Flybe said on Thursday it was in talks with Airbus and Boeing about the acquisition of up to 12 new aircraft, with a decision expected by March next year.
The airline also said it was on track for a partial share sale and stock market listing in two years' time, saying a trade sale was now less likely.
Flybe Managing Director Jim French said the carrier was talking to both Boeing and Airbus about acquiring between nine and 12 150 seat aircraft as it continues to expand its fleet.
"That is still our aim, to make a decision by year-end (March 2005)," French said.
Now, I know that most BE people hear these rumours in their sleep, but it does seem to be true now. As an SLF, believe me, these aircraft can't come quickly enough. I recently had the pleasure of flying on a 146 from JER-MAN (BA) and on to LHR/FRA on a 319/320; the difference is incredible. Six abreast on a 146 is no fun and despite my regular support for the Belgian chocolate industry, I'm hardly a widebody myself!
November 18, 2004
British regional airline Flybe said on Thursday it was in talks with Airbus and Boeing about the acquisition of up to 12 new aircraft, with a decision expected by March next year.
The airline also said it was on track for a partial share sale and stock market listing in two years' time, saying a trade sale was now less likely.
Flybe Managing Director Jim French said the carrier was talking to both Boeing and Airbus about acquiring between nine and 12 150 seat aircraft as it continues to expand its fleet.
"That is still our aim, to make a decision by year-end (March 2005)," French said.
Now, I know that most BE people hear these rumours in their sleep, but it does seem to be true now. As an SLF, believe me, these aircraft can't come quickly enough. I recently had the pleasure of flying on a 146 from JER-MAN (BA) and on to LHR/FRA on a 319/320; the difference is incredible. Six abreast on a 146 is no fun and despite my regular support for the Belgian chocolate industry, I'm hardly a widebody myself!
Join Date: Nov 1999
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Sausagehead: I assume BHX-MJV will be on one of the two leased-in 737-300s. I suspect there would be some payload penalties associated with doing that in a 146 (and don't really want to think about block time). I seem to recall BACX did a charter series BHX-MJV with Avro RJs a year or two back which was - I heard from the charterer - at the aircraft's limit or a bit beyond... 
But hey! What do I know! Maybe a Q400?
But hey! What do I know! Maybe a Q400?
Join Date: Feb 2002
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Cyrano, BHX - MJV is 1633km/881nm, so with a range of 2500km the 400 would do this route with plenty to spare. However, although I personally would relish the opportunity to do such trips, the 400 has obviously a different cabin environment to the A320/737 types which usually operate such a route, so passenger opinion would be important, but as some have said on here, some pax really couldn't care less what they're flying on as long as they've paid next to nothing to do so.
It does please me to see comments, such as that from saman on here, and on other flybe threads, that the 400 is generally well-liked by passengers, and I must admit to being surprised at the dislike of the 146.
It does please me to see comments, such as that from saman on here, and on other flybe threads, that the 400 is generally well-liked by passengers, and I must admit to being surprised at the dislike of the 146.
Join Date: Feb 2002
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Talking of reality checks a few posts back, take look at the BA/GSS thread on the other forums, then see what ATLAS are up to.
Then look at where either the Bus or 73's are coming from (wet leased?)
Then look at where you are likely to fit in, in the Grand scale of things.
Hmmmm.....Rocket Science? I don't think so.
Then look at where either the Bus or 73's are coming from (wet leased?)
Then look at where you are likely to fit in, in the Grand scale of things.
Hmmmm.....Rocket Science? I don't think so.
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Allow me to add my comments as a pure punter and also request some help in understanding the BHX-TLS schedules.
As an ex-Brummie, I am really pleased to see FlyBe doing so well, as they fly from my local airport. Long may their success continue.
I have flown the 146 & Dash 8 on the Toulouse service and one or two earlier comments were right. Instinctively, as a passenger, I would prefer to fly on a jet. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the Dash 8 was and would not now view it as somewhat less of an aircraft than a jet.
I am certain that some of the well-informed comments regarding the suitability of the plane to the task also points us to the reason why FlyBe have managed to turn round the fortunes of the business.
I have also flown to Toulouse using BMIBaby from EMA. They use 737's and offer a good service - economical too, but East Midlands as an airport?
I score it 4 out of 10. Poor facilities, awful queues for security, long waits for baggage, expensive parking. So even though BMI are using jets, having to go via East Midlands would put me off using them again. At least Birmingham is a "grown up" airport!
And finally, one or two points on which I'm curious and seek your help. The reduced service during the winter to Toulouse is a disappointment. Is demand expected to be that low? And what happens to the inbound flight from Birmingham after its arrival in Toulouse, as the return flight is six or seven hours later?
As an ex-Brummie, I am really pleased to see FlyBe doing so well, as they fly from my local airport. Long may their success continue.
I have flown the 146 & Dash 8 on the Toulouse service and one or two earlier comments were right. Instinctively, as a passenger, I would prefer to fly on a jet. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the Dash 8 was and would not now view it as somewhat less of an aircraft than a jet.
I am certain that some of the well-informed comments regarding the suitability of the plane to the task also points us to the reason why FlyBe have managed to turn round the fortunes of the business.
I have also flown to Toulouse using BMIBaby from EMA. They use 737's and offer a good service - economical too, but East Midlands as an airport?
I score it 4 out of 10. Poor facilities, awful queues for security, long waits for baggage, expensive parking. So even though BMI are using jets, having to go via East Midlands would put me off using them again. At least Birmingham is a "grown up" airport!
And finally, one or two points on which I'm curious and seek your help. The reduced service during the winter to Toulouse is a disappointment. Is demand expected to be that low? And what happens to the inbound flight from Birmingham after its arrival in Toulouse, as the return flight is six or seven hours later?
Brunel to Concorde
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Virtute et Industria, et Sumorsaete Ealle
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I think the TLS from BHX goes TLS-BRS-TLS before returning to BHX. BRS has no based Flybe a/c and relies on other bases providing equipment for its flights.
I believe TLS-BRS-TLS has been reduced from the summer daily to six a week (no Saturday flight) in the winter. Is it the same for BHX.
I believe TLS-BRS-TLS has been reduced from the summer daily to six a week (no Saturday flight) in the winter. Is it the same for BHX.
