New Caravans - Are they what they used to be?

[Mukosha]

Here is a question for you all. Our comany recieved a new caravan and we have been flying it now for about 300 hours. I am convinced that the aircraft is inferior in many ways to aircraft that rolled off the assembly line in years gone by. Thats all I will say for now.

What do you all think?

[Sir Cumference]

Cannot understand why that would be? Have found in the past that paint quality etc leave a lot to be desired when compared to machines that are older but the rest is pretty much the same. What specifics are you refering to?

[Mukosha]

Well... here are a few items to get the ball rolling:

1. On all three new aircrafts, the locks on the back cargo door have begun rusting.

2. The fitting of the carpets on one of the aircrafts is shoddy to say the least - with some bits trimmed off too short and others simply left untrimmed

And these are superficial.. but then there is more:

3. The ETM system has given trouble on two of the aircraft

4. The cowling over the engine does not fit correctly.

5. On two of the aircraft the Electric (EFIS) HSI occasionally goes crazy!

6. The autopilot on ours died in the first 50 hours of use.

Then, this is up for discussion..

7. I feel it flies differently. When I come into land it does not slide in as I know caravans to do, but lolls around clumsily before touching down!

8. The controls are rigged differently.. ours are much heavier on the new aircraft.

There is more... but think about these and give me your thoughts!

[vanraider]

you forgot to mention that the co pilots door leaks too....

[Kep Ten Jim]

Yours was probably the one that came out of the factory on a Friday afternoon

[Mukosha]

For almost two million dollars it shouldnt matter what day of the week it came out! Anyways, its not just ours.. I have made mention of two other planes too with similar problems!

[angelorange]

Better off with a Kodiak!

http://questaircraft.com/

[stevef]

I worked for a company in southern Africa (five or so years ago) that operated C208s. The two brand-new ones that we received were in excellent condition, as one would expect. But on the first maintenance check of one, I found a countersinking tool lying against a frame in the rear fuselage, just aft of the flying control pulleys. A good addition to my toolbox but it could have proved worse...
Not a good advertisement for Cessna's quality control final inspection. No gripes otherwise, maintenance-wise.

[Sir Cumference]

I guess that is exactly the problem, quality control! My earlier mention about paint related to adhesion and to striping. I was aware of a Citation V that arrived in SA brand new some years ago and the paint stared falling off. Cessna agreed to a complete respray which was to have been carried out locally. I cannot remember the figure but it was in excess of 100kg of body putty was removed when the paint was stripped!!! This on a brand new aircraft. I would rather carry that in the form of an extra passenger and bags!! Raytheon did have similar problems with quality control. Not sure if they are resolved.

[Soap Box Cowboy]

We got eight vans out where I work, of various ages.

1. The Auto pilots are notoriously unreliable, a complaint I've heard from several operators. Though if looked after they do last longer, so only use in straight and level smooth air.

2. New vans come with the wing fences standard I think. This could explain your wallowing on landing, find with the fences she gets up faster. Also adds 350 to your max take off weight, not too bad for two little metal plates.

3. We had trouble with the ETM on one of our vans gave some real weird and fantastical readings.

4. As far as the controls being heavier, could just be a rigging and tension problem, find all of ours fly the same, though some are more stable than others.

5. Also in regards to the wallowing, find that the props are set diffrently sometimes between planes really making a diffrence when you put the power lever in idle on landing.

6. Never had any rust on our aircraft, then again they don't sit around long enough to collect any. Just some superficial salt air corrosion on the skin, but then we do operate along the coast and this only comes apparent after several years down here.

7. We never experienced any leaks on our vans, except when the lining of the pilot window wears out due to exposure to the sun. But easily fixed.

8. Suprised to hear about the carpets and cowling, never heard of anyone having problems with that, you sure they are brand new? Not refurbs or ex demo aircraft.

[Mukosha]

Agreed, the auto pilots are a problem but seem more reliable on the older aircraft.

The wing gates are an optional extra and are not installed on our Van. It infact seems to take longer to get off the ground!

The planes are definately new and smelt fantastic when they arrived. You know, that new car smell! But the finishing is certainly not up to scratch. The carpets and lining were a let down.

Dont get me wrong, these are still wonderful aircraft but for very little improvement, or supposed improvement, the price has sky rocketed. If Cessna was making a profit when they were selling caravans for $1.4 million, then they are making a killing at almost $2 million! Yes there are a few new instruments but surely not enough to justify the price hike? And not when there seems to be less attention detail.

[Mukosha]

Out of interest. A brand new caravan belonging to a company in Tz sprung a serious oil leak yesterday requiring the company to sub charter. Havent found out what the exact nature of the leak was but thought i would add it to this forum. Leaks do happen, guess it's just coincidental that it happened on a brand new van?