I think you better do a tarmac check, I think you will find that VC's A320 has been airbourne all week non stop:ok:

More than I can say about the XR A320, haven't seen it on any Australian Tarmac.

I've been sitting back and following all the bull:mad: that's been stated on this thread over the past few weeks and there are a few of you who need to deflate your haemorrhoids so you can sit down and take a good look at yourselves.

I once said "I'd believe it when I see it" and my hat needed some salt to help with the taste believe me... but I see it and I believe it! I've spoken to many in XR land that are rightfully excited about it too.

The A320 flight to OZ was delayed slightly, but is currently winging it's way to MEL as I type. There are a lot of extremely talented, motivated and awesome people at XR working their asses off to make the entry into service happen and I wish the all the very best.

Good on ya fella's!! :D

Oil, I think you need to read between the lines.

I don't think anyone is knocking the XR guys and girls however XR management is another thing.

Lets assume oil additive is correct - my "mail" indicates the scheduling sheet at JHAS has the XR A320 listed as "lay-up" for no less than 12 weeks (yes, that's Twelve) following its arrival.

Hope I'm wrong for the sake of the long suffering XR guys who have been strung along for so long.

EvilC, last "mail" you had said the Skywest A320 was delayed / put off indefinately yet now you admit it will be in Australia. Sort of makes your mail a bit untrustworthy doesn't it?

When delivered, if it goes to the Granites, it will be its first and last flight.The runway is gravel.

XRlent100 or should I say XRMGT, I think evilc has more info than XRMGT or yourself.

Still doesnt explain the wrong engine choice V2500 is a good engine but only if you have the A5 oops, along with the CASA process and the union issues I think you should be busy for a bit longer than 12 weeks.

XRlent100, maybe you can let us all know when the aircraft is arriving???

evilc

You may be surprised to know the first Ansett A320 VH-HYA arrived in MEL on 19 Dec 88 and did not enter service until 16 Mar 89. I am not surprised the Skywest A320 is expecting to spend 12 weeks at JHAS.

Not surprised at all B772, knowing the CASA processes.

I should have been clearer I guess. By lay-up I mean "parked" - not in the hanger on tasks. Just what I've heard in the dispatches. Like I say, hope I'm wrong for the guys wanting to fly it. They have been waiting too long to be further frustrated. Has to arrive in Oz first however, but from Oil Additives report it may just be on the way at last, after so many years of promises. :confused:

Bigjet, I'm not sure exactly when it will be here. Originally it was due 4th April but that obviously didn't happen. Skywest took ownership of the aircraft on the 7th April which was a bit later than expected. Last I heard was it was due to leave wed / Thursday night so if that happened it should be close. Unlike other people I'm not going to make up a story and try and tell you something I don't know the answer too.

There was a dispute with the FAAA regarding cabin crew numbers, which went to arbitration. This attributed to and extended the delay of entry to service, I believe.

66biscuits you need to do some homework. Granites will definitely not be taking the A320.

I believe the aircraft will initially service the Cloud Break contract for FMG as well as supplementing additional capacity to Karratha, where the CP contract is going to need it. Add some new routes to the East Coast from Karratha and perhaps an international link as well.

excerpt from latest Skywest newsletter :

I hope this "modern jet aircraft" has GPS RNAV that they can use, unlike the other "modern jet aircraft".:p

Only kidding. Good news. Good luck to the boys and girls.

It is currently transitting Port Hedland on inbound ferry flight.

Never a truer word is spoken in jest Icarus.....

GPS (allowing true RNAV capability) was not a standard fit in A320's till around MSN 1000 or so. The XR aircraft is in the 400's from what I read earlier in this thread. So unless previous owners retro fitted this aircraft (which is highly unlikely given the huge investment for an old aircraft) it will be IRS driven FMC's only, so RNAV approaches will be out.

Mind you, I hear CASA are close to revoking the RNAV approach capability for all 3rd party installed GPS systems that are not multi mode integrated units anyway, so the F100 will be in the same boat soon also. Cloudbreak better buy an NDB methinks.

EvilC, there you go spruiking about something you have no idea about. None of the Skywest F100's have GPS at the moment. There is a schedule in place to fit 4 aircraft with fully integrated GPS / FMC capability. Alliance have stand alone GPS in their F100's and would be affected by the CASA changes you propose.

I don't know the nav fit out of VH-FNP (A320). Have you seen inside it?

Strategic's A320 is an older 1990 model. Do they have GPS?

Since Skywest have been flying to Cloudbreak I can't remember any diversions due weather. There may have been one or two, but considering we're doing about 3-4 flights a day there that's pretty good odds. Maybe its a chance Skywest and Fortesque are happy to take with the A320.

EvilC, please stop making comments about Skywest when you obviously have no knowledge about what's really happening.

XRlent

Wasn't talking about the XR F100 old boy. Never been in one and probably never will. You said it yourself, some F100's are fitted with 3rd party units. It's these I was referring to.

The reference to Cloudbreak needing an NDB is in relation to the A320. If you think CASA is going to let you do any scud running from Newman in an A320 you have another think coming.

They are probably also watching your DPS service with interest..... "charter" eh? := Better read the CASA policy on interposed entities, its available to all on the internet. I think you might be exposed just a tad. Hope I'm talking of "something I have no knowledge about" here old boy or your international asperations maybe in trouble.

Also - what's your percentage of foreign ownership these days? Bet the IAC (who only give out the licences to operators with greater than 50% Oz ownership) would be interested in that too. But then of course you guys run "charter" don't you?

evilc - just exactly what is your problem against Skywest?

One can only presume that you are tied up with Strategic Airlines and their A320's which seem to be sitting on the tarmac an awful lot these days.

Mate, if you want to start getting nasty I could ask you the same question about the dash 8 that did your derby rpt service recently. Maybe CASA could look into that. Did you get the charter substitution paperwork? I hope so