New operator of B1900D's in QLD

[whogivesa????]

Apparently the Beech 1900D (N84413) currently parked at Bankstown will join Sunshine Express Airlines in late June early July.

[swh]

Know some experienced 1900 drivers in Perth maybe looking work in a week, maybe the management of the two companies could talk so the guys dont end up on the street.

:ok:

[F111]

Now where did I put that 1900D/ Brasilia/ Dash8/ D328/ SF34/ M23/ SH36/ YAK42/ A380 Pilot Operating Manual;)

SWH,

I think you will find when/if SEA adds a new aircraft type it will replace their current aircraft type(s) and they would use their current pilots.

[BuddhaAir]

A friend of mine had an interview with Sunshine Express a few weeks ago and he was told during the interview they are looking at a fleet replacement. When asked what type, he was told the 1900D or the Brasilia.

[Gravox]

Wouldn't be suprised if it is for SEA heard the CEO was in the states looking at 1900s not so long ago.

Still it is a 19 seat aircraft, no room for expansion on routes, but hey it has better pax appeal than those terrible metros. Hopefully it will be more reliable too!.... Might loose the term "Sometimes Express"

[23 Metros In a Row]

terrible metros. Hopefully it will be more reliable too!....

Those terrible Metro's might not have a stand up cabin, they may be noise bags from the outside, but hey, the B1900D does not look all that graceful with its bulge and they still shake rattle and roll on the inside.

In relation to more reliable, as a type the M23 is far from an un reliable machine. Look at the stats and you will find they are an aircraft with high levels of reliability for the number of missions conducted.

Commercially, the B1900D is simply a more expensive option that the Metro. Yes more pax appeal because it gives the impression that you can "stand up" for what its worth, and maybe that will drive a higher yeild. However it does only have 19 seats, people will not pay more for it, just maybe more will choose to roll the dice.

Interesting when comparing the B1900D to the EMB120, the commercial reality is the 1900 is a sucker, especially on their Maroochy route.

[Gastrick]

Commercially, the B1900D is simply a more expensive option that the Metro.

the commercial reality is the 1900 is a sucker

23,

of course SEA management are heading down the road to ruin, and can't they see the error of their ways??!!!:eek:

Great performers, reliable, HEAPS more comfortable and quiet if they are run at 1450 rpm.

Can't compare a 120 to a 1900D unless the loads are regularly pushing the 19 limit of the 1900. The 1900 is cheaper to lease (generally), cheaper to maintain (P & W give great support) and cheaper to crew (No Hostie:( ).

Your passion for the Garrett powered Focker enima is admirable but short of fact.:ok:

[23 Metros In a Row]

Hey Gastrik

The 1900 is not a good performer when compared to the 23. The aircraft MUST run at significantly higher altitudes to come any where near the same pound per mile ratio punched out by the 23.

The 1900 is generally slower than the 23, especially over short sectors such as Maroochy. To keep quiet, running at 1450 (recommended) does not give it the speed edge needed to be reasonable.

As for comfort, mate the chairs are the same design, pitch is still tight, and you cannot stand up in the 23 or the 1900 on takeoff, decent and landing. You can walk to your seat instead of stooping.

If you were up to speed on your numbers, you will already know that you can compare a EMB120 over a M23 on routes which are well loaded, just lacking yield. The Maroochy route has growth potential, and the growth potential will deliver yeild improvements due to the reduction is seat mile costs.

And just to cap it off, you will find that a Bras leasing cost is actually lower than a 1900 lease cost, which translates to lower seat mile costs (more seats lower fixed costs). The cost of the biscuit chucker is not as relevant as you may think.

Have a look at the number of B1900D sucesses in Oz, and the applications they were/are used in. Currently one operator uses the equipment who has a "captive" market being well supported by Govt fare payers (at full Y), not sh!tty VFR or packaged inbounders contributing little more than cents per seat to the bottom line.

Count the Bras operators, measure their performance and you will see that it makes more than cents!

As for the Garrett powered Focker enima.......she aint pretty but she is mine (not Raetheon's).

Rant complete

[FlyingTheDesk]

Could they be looking at replacing the Shorts with a Brasilia and the Metro with the 1900D?

Raytheon quote a dispatch rate of 98-99.8% for the 1900D, I don't think a Metro can match that.

[Night Watch]

FlyingTheDesk don't take this the wrong way, but those who fly a desk AND believe the bull that Raytheon spin, are on course for a rude shock after a year of the 1900.

Have to agree with 23 Metros In a Row ....... I have flown both the Metro and the 1900. Although the 1900 looks good on paper, the Metro will beat it hands down on reliability and operating costs (which is why there are so many of them in Oz). The only problem (as with every aircraft) they are all starting to get old, and with 25000 hrs + any a/c of its size is going to have a build up of snags.

[megle2]

Why does it need to be an Operator getting a 1900?
How about a Government department!

[splatgothebugs]

Im not trying to hijack your thread but I thought this would be a good chance to ask what a 1900D Co or Cappy would expect to be paid over there in OZ?

Base salary minus the perks would be great.

Feel free to PM me so it dosen't bugger the thread.

cheers in advance

splat :ok:

[VH-VIN]

Well said comebychance.
The Metro is great if the only other choice is to walk!!!
I've operated both types and the 1900D beats the Metro in every way as far as I see it.
We carry pax that have to still fly in Metros and you should here what they have to say.
Alot of very happy Air NZ pax now they have got rid of the terrror tubes as well.
I think the public expect a little more these days, but in OZ as stated there is not alot of choice.

[privateer]

Let's face it is there such a thing as a comfortable 19-seater?

At the end of the day this class of aircraft is akin to a mule.

Whether it be a Beech, a Metro or a Jetstream at the end of the day it comes down to economics and the deal on the day.

Today the 1900D burns a lot more fuel than a Metro or J32.

The J32 is slower than the 1900D or the Metro.

The Metro (wet) and the 1900D have better payload range than the J32 but all need >1200m or runway to perform.

The J32 and the 1900D have a stand-up cabin, and then you have the question of two or three abreast seating.

Mix that all around and on the day it comes down to the best lease rate (or lowest sales price ) and support. From there select the best aircraft!

The most telling point is that while there exist a very real 19-seat market around the world there aren't any 19 seater being build today - unless you go shopping in China!

[Gravox]

Have we even found out if the 1900 is for Sunshine Express,
F111 you're being very quiet for a change, perhaps you can enlighten us!

Every time passengers board a metro you should hear them whinge, and justifiably so! The have to hunch over and crawl down the aisle, making it very difficult for the elderly, and the parents. The air vents in the metros are useless, and more often than not it is the pilots that recieve the abuse from the passengers.

Sunshine could stay with the metros and continue operating them and the passengers will continue to fly on them.... only because there is no competition, but there will be one day!! Hurry up REX and get the Brisbane base, there are a few more services needing your saabs.

Metros are only good for night frieght operations, as freight doesn't mind the heat and lack of cooling, or the noise.

[BuddhaAir]

Has anyone heard anything more as to which aircraft is the front runner.

How does the DOCs of the Brasilia compare to that of the B1900D?

[Sheep Guts]

Guys guys guys ,
The reason there are so many Metros and Bras in Oz is one reason only. They are as cheap as chips. The yanks are parking props by the dozen for new Regional jet hardware. Embraer and Bombardier are doing great with Jets and poorly with props. Just pick up you latest Flight International mag.

Metros and alike should be put on posts to collect the proverbial. That is on sticks outside airports or museums with their frontier folk like Viscounts and Brabazons etc.

Sheep