Free Spirit Planning Burnie RPT?
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It's the Aussie way to have a go, and that's great! But when a business case such as this is in the market the knock em down style that is "the Aussie way" is probably a blessing in disguise! Friends,roman and country men "heed it " is advice to consider!
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Good call Dash
Operating a second string aeroplane into a pretty much ruptured market from a secondary airport with a mainstream feeder incumbent doing reasonably well but not breaking records?
Not a great business decision in my opinion.
There is no perceivable sense in this alleged venture unless someone requires a tax write off.
Best all
EWL
Operating a second string aeroplane into a pretty much ruptured market from a secondary airport with a mainstream feeder incumbent doing reasonably well but not breaking records?
Not a great business decision in my opinion.
There is no perceivable sense in this alleged venture unless someone requires a tax write off.
Best all
EWL
So, wake The F*** up and offer some moral support for the companies that actually do throw open the doors instead of throwing S*** and them.
(which they have been actively promoting on their website, forums etc for over 6 months now)
Thread Starter
There are always arguments between Devonport & Burnie Wynyard Residents re their airports.
Devonport Airport has finally started charging customers for parking, going from $1 (didn't matter how many days or weeks)to $24 for a week.
Burnie / Wynyard are in the process of upgrading the parking & will also charge, it costs nothing to park their at the moment.
Personally at the moment I bypass Devonport & fly out of Launceston, I do like the idea of Burnie / Essendon
Regards R W
From today's Advocate Local Newspaper with some interesting comments.
Unity sought on airline need | The Advocate
NORTH-WEST councils must come together and form a regional approach to bring budget airlines to the Coast, according to Burnie alderman Ken Dorsey.
Alderman Dorsey will raise a motion at the Burnie City Council at next week's Tuesday meeting for Burnie to work with the Devonport City Council to attract budget airlines to Coastal airports.
All the motion is, is let's look at the possibilities of working with the councils and making something better for the Coast and that makes it better for Burnie," Alderman Dorsey said.
"I think if we work together with a regional approach, then we will have a much greater opportunity to get it [a budget airline] up here."
He said he did not mind whether the budget airline went to Burnie or Devonport airport and was just interested to "start working with people and let things happen".
Alderman Dorsey said he was a "firm believer" that as long as Coasters kept supporting Launceston or small airports that produced minimal numbers, then a budget airline would never come to the Coast.
He accused the Cradle Coast Authority of failing to give a regional approach on this issue.
The Cradle Coast Authority is embarking on an investigation into all access points to the North-West region, according to CCA chief executive officer Brett Smith.
"We've met with Tourism Tasmania and the Department of State Growth and we will be meeting with all various stakeholders as a part of the investigation," Mr Smith said.
"We want to work out how people are getting here and how we might improve that."The Devonport City Council passed a motion last month to remain committed to working with neighbouring councils, the state government and TasPorts to grow Devonport Airport's potential and attract a budget airline.
At the time Alderman Lynn Laycock said she had taken more phone calls from people wanting a budget airline in Devonport than on any other matter.Yesterday Alderman Laycock was open to the idea of the Burnie and Devonport councils joining forces but said Devonport had already began a "process" meeting with TasPorts and Tourism Tasmania.
"The process has started and we're waiting for more information to see if there is a need for a budget airline in the airport," she said.
She said the Devonport council needed to "let the process run its course".
"If we were to do anything different at the moment, we're only reinventing the wheel," Alderman Laycock said.
Burnie City Council general manager Andrew Wardlaw declined to comment.
Devonport Airport has finally started charging customers for parking, going from $1 (didn't matter how many days or weeks)to $24 for a week.
Burnie / Wynyard are in the process of upgrading the parking & will also charge, it costs nothing to park their at the moment.
Personally at the moment I bypass Devonport & fly out of Launceston, I do like the idea of Burnie / Essendon
Regards R W
From today's Advocate Local Newspaper with some interesting comments.
Unity sought on airline need | The Advocate
NORTH-WEST councils must come together and form a regional approach to bring budget airlines to the Coast, according to Burnie alderman Ken Dorsey.
Alderman Dorsey will raise a motion at the Burnie City Council at next week's Tuesday meeting for Burnie to work with the Devonport City Council to attract budget airlines to Coastal airports.
All the motion is, is let's look at the possibilities of working with the councils and making something better for the Coast and that makes it better for Burnie," Alderman Dorsey said.
"I think if we work together with a regional approach, then we will have a much greater opportunity to get it [a budget airline] up here."
He said he did not mind whether the budget airline went to Burnie or Devonport airport and was just interested to "start working with people and let things happen".
Alderman Dorsey said he was a "firm believer" that as long as Coasters kept supporting Launceston or small airports that produced minimal numbers, then a budget airline would never come to the Coast.
He accused the Cradle Coast Authority of failing to give a regional approach on this issue.
The Cradle Coast Authority is embarking on an investigation into all access points to the North-West region, according to CCA chief executive officer Brett Smith.
"We've met with Tourism Tasmania and the Department of State Growth and we will be meeting with all various stakeholders as a part of the investigation," Mr Smith said.
"We want to work out how people are getting here and how we might improve that."The Devonport City Council passed a motion last month to remain committed to working with neighbouring councils, the state government and TasPorts to grow Devonport Airport's potential and attract a budget airline.
At the time Alderman Lynn Laycock said she had taken more phone calls from people wanting a budget airline in Devonport than on any other matter.Yesterday Alderman Laycock was open to the idea of the Burnie and Devonport councils joining forces but said Devonport had already began a "process" meeting with TasPorts and Tourism Tasmania.
"The process has started and we're waiting for more information to see if there is a need for a budget airline in the airport," she said.
She said the Devonport council needed to "let the process run its course".
"If we were to do anything different at the moment, we're only reinventing the wheel," Alderman Laycock said.
Burnie City Council general manager Andrew Wardlaw declined to comment.
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Rotor
I am 1.5 inches from responding to that Alderman generated crap in the Work Experience Daily regarding a low cost carrier into a Coastal airport here.
Rex is doing a good job out of Wynyard as is QFlink out of DPO.
The last thing either port needs is one middle of the day flight from a low cost insurgent dropping in and taking the base load which is all they will get due to timing.
That screws the overall viability for the incumbents and the most likely flights to be lost are the all important overnight operations which are the most important for the now depleted but significant business community and international outbounds.
More to the point if you operated an A320 into Wynyard a turning bay better be built at Flowerdale (ie: turn onto 333 up the Flowerdale gully in a heavy F27-500) and a full load out of DPO would also be interesting. That rules out Tiger and JQ. Virgin with ATRs is a possible. the Jungle jets would do OK.
Now - the big problem.
Assume VA drop an ATR or JJ into DPO. Where are they going to drag a large portion of their market from? Their LST operation. And guess what? The only stuff out of the North West Coast that will be glommed by a LCC is the very low yield base client. From a tourism point of view there is nothing significant to keep passengers in Burnie or Devonport for more than a day or a night. Don't get me wrong. there are great attractions here but to be enjoyed in passing on the way to Cradle Mountain or Stanley, Launceston. Strahan or Hobart or whatever.
Back to thread, I question the logic of a very small market for a start up from a secondary airport with an aeroplane that is relatively expensive per passenger kilometre to operate.
There is a big pocket awaiting with these Council wankers to provide a cash impetus to an alleged new start because they don't have enough brain to see that the light at the end of the tunnel is actually the 4:17 from Frankston.
We still don't know what Impulse was slung by th Labor Government here to service Launceston before they went over to the rat side of the force.
Never quote Tasmanian Aldermen. They are Committee brained individuals who know nothing which is why they stood for the position. No life and unaware of it.
Best all
EWL
I am 1.5 inches from responding to that Alderman generated crap in the Work Experience Daily regarding a low cost carrier into a Coastal airport here.
Rex is doing a good job out of Wynyard as is QFlink out of DPO.
The last thing either port needs is one middle of the day flight from a low cost insurgent dropping in and taking the base load which is all they will get due to timing.
That screws the overall viability for the incumbents and the most likely flights to be lost are the all important overnight operations which are the most important for the now depleted but significant business community and international outbounds.
More to the point if you operated an A320 into Wynyard a turning bay better be built at Flowerdale (ie: turn onto 333 up the Flowerdale gully in a heavy F27-500) and a full load out of DPO would also be interesting. That rules out Tiger and JQ. Virgin with ATRs is a possible. the Jungle jets would do OK.
Now - the big problem.
Assume VA drop an ATR or JJ into DPO. Where are they going to drag a large portion of their market from? Their LST operation. And guess what? The only stuff out of the North West Coast that will be glommed by a LCC is the very low yield base client. From a tourism point of view there is nothing significant to keep passengers in Burnie or Devonport for more than a day or a night. Don't get me wrong. there are great attractions here but to be enjoyed in passing on the way to Cradle Mountain or Stanley, Launceston. Strahan or Hobart or whatever.
Back to thread, I question the logic of a very small market for a start up from a secondary airport with an aeroplane that is relatively expensive per passenger kilometre to operate.
There is a big pocket awaiting with these Council wankers to provide a cash impetus to an alleged new start because they don't have enough brain to see that the light at the end of the tunnel is actually the 4:17 from Frankston.
We still don't know what Impulse was slung by th Labor Government here to service Launceston before they went over to the rat side of the force.
Never quote Tasmanian Aldermen. They are Committee brained individuals who know nothing which is why they stood for the position. No life and unaware of it.
Best all
EWL
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Well they might want to work on their website a little more. It just allowed me to book a flight between Melbourne and Burnie departing on the 1st January this year, and returning on the 18th January 2015 
I got up to the point that they asked for my credit card details before I stopped the transaction. Either West Wing is operating charter DeLoreans with Marty McFly, or they need to fix that up.
I got up to the point that they asked for my credit card details before I stopped the transaction. Either West Wing is operating charter DeLoreans with Marty McFly, or they need to fix that up.
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Danger Will Robinson - Danger
There is something decidedly dodgy here.
The website is up and allegedly taking bookings for something that hasn't been advertised down here to my knowledge, complete with FOC bus transfers from downtown DPO to Wynyard.
Insurance is offered (Assurance on the site - Americanised?) and when you go into the detail there is no mention of an underwriter.
Do any of you good ladies and gents know anyone who has been employed to fly the Tasmanian and Merimbula routes for them?
The industry is small enough that someone would be aware.
It would be interesting to know where the bank account that the funds from the website go to is in this world. It is allegedly a NAB based account but logos are easy to copy.
I have a very bad feeling about this. I would like to be proved wrong but it stinks of a major scam.
Best all
EWL
The website is up and allegedly taking bookings for something that hasn't been advertised down here to my knowledge, complete with FOC bus transfers from downtown DPO to Wynyard.
Insurance is offered (Assurance on the site - Americanised?) and when you go into the detail there is no mention of an underwriter.
Do any of you good ladies and gents know anyone who has been employed to fly the Tasmanian and Merimbula routes for them?
The industry is small enough that someone would be aware.
It would be interesting to know where the bank account that the funds from the website go to is in this world. It is allegedly a NAB based account but logos are easy to copy.
I have a very bad feeling about this. I would like to be proved wrong but it stinks of a major scam.
Best all
EWL
Last edited by Eastwest Loco; 23rd Jan 2015 at 13:03.
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Interesting.
The website no longer goes to a multi part site including schedules and a booking engine.
Now just opens onto a "coming soon" page.
Why?
Very interesting and it proves someone is watching here and begs the question of why react like that?
Curiouser and curiouser.
Best all
EWL
The website no longer goes to a multi part site including schedules and a booking engine.
Now just opens onto a "coming soon" page.
Why?
Very interesting and it proves someone is watching here and begs the question of why react like that?
Curiouser and curiouser.
Best all
EWL
Join Date: Apr 2000
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Even more interesting.
The Free Spirit website link now goes to an Administrator login page.
Anyone good at hacking?
The last mention of this alleged operation locally was 23 October 2014.
If it was all going to happen maybe a Company response would be called for.
No?
Maybe?
Beam me up Scotty - there's no intelligent life down here.
Best all
EWL
The Free Spirit website link now goes to an Administrator login page.
Anyone good at hacking?
The last mention of this alleged operation locally was 23 October 2014.
If it was all going to happen maybe a Company response would be called for.
No?
Maybe?
Beam me up Scotty - there's no intelligent life down here.
Best all
EWL
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They are still advertising for pilots. The proposed aicraft (VH-EMK) has been operating out of Cairns with Westwing for the last 2 weeks. Aircraft is painted in Free Sprit colours without the logo and name.
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The silence is deafening.
Nothing down here in media since late October last year, no advertising, alleged start up date of late last year.
Why am I cynical? Guess I am just an arsehole. It's been said before and will be again.It is probably correct.
A website with a published fare of $149 one way from Wynyard to Essendon does beg questions as Wynyard passengers must be subsidising Devonport passengers and the intermediaries as that bus service which would require a flexible fleet from sedan through 2 seater would not be cheap to run.
It smells of Bizjets and Walkeritis.
Don't like and certainly will no be selling within 24 months of the alleged start-up and maybe prospective crews need to stand back a second and analyse. Too many parallels to be warm and fuzzy. Also no advertising down here. No credible startup date and no media interest.
Your call folks.
Mine is made right or wrong.
Best all
EWL
Why am I cynical? Guess I am just an arsehole. It's been said before and will be again.It is probably correct.
A website with a published fare of $149 one way from Wynyard to Essendon does beg questions as Wynyard passengers must be subsidising Devonport passengers and the intermediaries as that bus service which would require a flexible fleet from sedan through 2 seater would not be cheap to run.
It smells of Bizjets and Walkeritis.
Don't like and certainly will no be selling within 24 months of the alleged start-up and maybe prospective crews need to stand back a second and analyse. Too many parallels to be warm and fuzzy. Also no advertising down here. No credible startup date and no media interest.
Your call folks.
Mine is made right or wrong.
Best all
EWL
Last edited by Eastwest Loco; 5th Feb 2015 at 12:32.
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I work at essendon and have since november last year and i've seen the beechcraft 1900 here a few times out the front of their building doing endorsement training and even charters.
just an update if anyone was interested.
just an update if anyone was interested.
EWL, take it that you didn't like Ron Walker and Bizjets?
Must have been a bit rude when Ron crashed the cosy party that existed between TAA and Ansett back in those days!
Funny how that FCU for a Metro finished up getting lost on the way out from the states , then the second one finished up in Broome.
Must have been a bit rude when Ron crashed the cosy party that existed between TAA and Ansett back in those days!
Funny how that FCU for a Metro finished up getting lost on the way out from the states , then the second one finished up in Broome.
iwillmakeitoneday
Really? I find that very hard to believe.
1) Their aircraft is in Cairns
2) They're completing training in Townsville
3) There hasnt been a 1900 in Melbourne since Air South last year
Not criticising at all, I just dont believe in BS.
Hopefully they get going and opens up a few more jobs to those turbo prop pilots made redundant more recently
Really? I find that very hard to believe.
1) Their aircraft is in Cairns
2) They're completing training in Townsville
3) There hasnt been a 1900 in Melbourne since Air South last year
Not criticising at all, I just dont believe in BS.
Hopefully they get going and opens up a few more jobs to those turbo prop pilots made redundant more recently
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Not totally correct Stationair
Ron's late son Ross was a major thorn in my side several times after Bizjets as he was involved peripherally with State Express which was involved with East West Cargo Express as well as with Bizjets in the day.
During one AN and TN pilot outage East West was still flying and I was up in MEL working on load control and checkin. On the cargo side we had Ross. good one - NOT! He was working tarmac and appeared to not understand the concept of load and trim and aeroplane regos. One afternoon after I checked the load and had to totally pull it apart and restow on the F27 500 he was last seen leaving past Block 5 at a speed that was overheating the tarmac after he heard second hand that I wanted a talk with him.
It is a good thing he did a runner as I would almost certainly have been on an assault charge. There was also an instance of junking the Bizjets limo between Essendon and Tulla with passengers on board.
Ron's Bizjets operation did get up the nose a little as their bus connection from DPO to downtown Burnie dropped off outside the TN Burnie office and the passengers expected to be able to store baggage with us. Yeah - right! Got some interesting responses from the refusals too!
Bizjets may have done an awful lot better but I believe they were supplied with incorrect operating parameters for the engines installed on the Metro that caused multiple unserviceabilties including engine fire on at least one occasion.
Jeff Hooley aka "The Pom" was a total greenhorn in the industry and in charge of the DPO operation for them and made an excellent fist of it and after they folded moved to TN DPO and WNY and was a great workmate until we were closed . Then on to TN ADL.
Ross sadly passed away not long after this sadly leaving a wife and young family.
The incidents are still in the memory, but no need for ongoing angst and a father should never ever have to bury their son.
I do wish Spirit well but would like for some things to start to add up and look logical. currently they are not. Currently I would not recommend a client put funds their way.
Best all
EWL
Ron's late son Ross was a major thorn in my side several times after Bizjets as he was involved peripherally with State Express which was involved with East West Cargo Express as well as with Bizjets in the day.
During one AN and TN pilot outage East West was still flying and I was up in MEL working on load control and checkin. On the cargo side we had Ross. good one - NOT! He was working tarmac and appeared to not understand the concept of load and trim and aeroplane regos. One afternoon after I checked the load and had to totally pull it apart and restow on the F27 500 he was last seen leaving past Block 5 at a speed that was overheating the tarmac after he heard second hand that I wanted a talk with him.
It is a good thing he did a runner as I would almost certainly have been on an assault charge. There was also an instance of junking the Bizjets limo between Essendon and Tulla with passengers on board.
Ron's Bizjets operation did get up the nose a little as their bus connection from DPO to downtown Burnie dropped off outside the TN Burnie office and the passengers expected to be able to store baggage with us. Yeah - right! Got some interesting responses from the refusals too!
Bizjets may have done an awful lot better but I believe they were supplied with incorrect operating parameters for the engines installed on the Metro that caused multiple unserviceabilties including engine fire on at least one occasion.
Jeff Hooley aka "The Pom" was a total greenhorn in the industry and in charge of the DPO operation for them and made an excellent fist of it and after they folded moved to TN DPO and WNY and was a great workmate until we were closed . Then on to TN ADL.
Ross sadly passed away not long after this sadly leaving a wife and young family.
The incidents are still in the memory, but no need for ongoing angst and a father should never ever have to bury their son.
I do wish Spirit well but would like for some things to start to add up and look logical. currently they are not. Currently I would not recommend a client put funds their way.
Best all
EWL
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iwillmakeiitoneday,
Perhaps you need to have your eyes checked. Their proposed aircraft has been in Cairns since 13 January and flew there from Perth. Over the last month it's been operating with West Wing.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VHEMK
Perhaps you need to have your eyes checked. Their proposed aircraft has been in Cairns since 13 January and flew there from Perth. Over the last month it's been operating with West Wing.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VHEMK