Sunshine Express
Bentandtwisted
Hate to tell you but NJS had no end of problems with the J41
Its only redeeming feature was it was cheap - reeeeeaaaalllllly cheap.
It was a servicability nightmare.
Hate to tell you but NJS had no end of problems with the J41
Its only redeeming feature was it was cheap - reeeeeaaaalllllly cheap.
It was a servicability nightmare.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: downunder
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From the Aeromil Web page:
Aeromil - Product Support
Embraer: emb110 Bandierante: emb120 Brasilia
Fairchild: Metro
Sunshine is 100% owned by Aeromil, Aeromil provides product support for the Brasilia, yet the airline they own operates a Shorts. Wouldn't it be easier to operate an aircraft where you have instant access to product support?
Aeromil - Product Support
Embraer: emb110 Bandierante: emb120 Brasilia
Fairchild: Metro
Sunshine is 100% owned by Aeromil, Aeromil provides product support for the Brasilia, yet the airline they own operates a Shorts. Wouldn't it be easier to operate an aircraft where you have instant access to product support?
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: anywhere the job offer is!
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I saw in the Friday (28/05) Australian that Aeromil have a Metro for sale, states it is flying for a "large regional airline".
If Aeromil own SEA could this be one of their machines? Could they be upgrading to something bigger and better, or just to a Metro 23.
Time will tell I'm sure
If Aeromil own SEA could this be one of their machines? Could they be upgrading to something bigger and better, or just to a Metro 23.
Time will tell I'm sure
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Australia
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't get too excited about fleet upgrades just yet. The Metro 23 is looking more probable with each passing day which means no real changes on the way at this point.
Any major change in the fleet will need to have considerable lead time just as when other airlines made the step up in the past. If there is any major change before the end of 2004 I'd be more than a little surprised. Then again what do I know....
As F111 said earlier, it's great to see so much interest being shown in what is still a relatively small operation. Is it the appeal of the Sunshine Coast or something else???
Any major change in the fleet will need to have considerable lead time just as when other airlines made the step up in the past. If there is any major change before the end of 2004 I'd be more than a little surprised. Then again what do I know....
As F111 said earlier, it's great to see so much interest being shown in what is still a relatively small operation. Is it the appeal of the Sunshine Coast or something else???
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: australia
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The J41 would make a great replacement for the Metro, it's dispatch rate is no worse than any other aircraft in it's class. Its is the cheapest out of it's class to operate with operating caost not much more than a Beech 1900D.
In ISA+15 temps and HSC the aircraft will do 270-280 kts TAS buring 435-450 kg per hour. Pull it LRC and the bird will still do 240-250 kts TAS with an econmical burn of 355 kg per hour. This a far less than what a Bras will do. It has better field performance than the Bras, the J41 at MTOW and ISA requires 1400m for take off while the Bras needs 1560m At ISA +20 the J41 still only requires 1550 m and the Bras 1720m.
The standard TBO on the -14 Garrett is now 9000 hours with hot section inspections at 4500 hours. The overhaul costs of Garrett's is almost half that of any Pratt engine.
People tend to knock the cabin, due to the fact it doesn't have overhead lockers, big deal, do Metro's, J31's all 1900's have them? Many early Saab's don't have them either. Without the lockers the cabin is brighter and feels much larger. There is stowage space at the front of the cabin plus the underfloor area behind the wings. The cabin of the J41 is the same as the J31, minus the wing passing through it (wing is now mounted below the fuselarge).
A lack of APU is another thing that people tend to knock about the J41. Well the Saab's don't have one and there are many Dash's that don't either. The lack of APU can be a bonus, it's one less thing that requires maintenance. The Honeywell avionic's do like to have GPU's available, however if they don't no big problem, just a longer turn-around time (up to 20 minutes).
SA Airlink operate all the J41's that have been operated here in Australia, they have similar operating conditions to us and have had no major problems and are only now looking at replacing them. So in summary they are not a bad aircraft (to fly or operate) and would give an improved level of service compared to the Metro and the Shorts.
In ISA+15 temps and HSC the aircraft will do 270-280 kts TAS buring 435-450 kg per hour. Pull it LRC and the bird will still do 240-250 kts TAS with an econmical burn of 355 kg per hour. This a far less than what a Bras will do. It has better field performance than the Bras, the J41 at MTOW and ISA requires 1400m for take off while the Bras needs 1560m At ISA +20 the J41 still only requires 1550 m and the Bras 1720m.
The standard TBO on the -14 Garrett is now 9000 hours with hot section inspections at 4500 hours. The overhaul costs of Garrett's is almost half that of any Pratt engine.
People tend to knock the cabin, due to the fact it doesn't have overhead lockers, big deal, do Metro's, J31's all 1900's have them? Many early Saab's don't have them either. Without the lockers the cabin is brighter and feels much larger. There is stowage space at the front of the cabin plus the underfloor area behind the wings. The cabin of the J41 is the same as the J31, minus the wing passing through it (wing is now mounted below the fuselarge).
A lack of APU is another thing that people tend to knock about the J41. Well the Saab's don't have one and there are many Dash's that don't either. The lack of APU can be a bonus, it's one less thing that requires maintenance. The Honeywell avionic's do like to have GPU's available, however if they don't no big problem, just a longer turn-around time (up to 20 minutes).
SA Airlink operate all the J41's that have been operated here in Australia, they have similar operating conditions to us and have had no major problems and are only now looking at replacing them. So in summary they are not a bad aircraft (to fly or operate) and would give an improved level of service compared to the Metro and the Shorts.
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey there all you Sun Ex lovers!!
I find it amazing the amount of interset at is generated towards this company with regards to its fleet its "fleet replacment porgram" which infact does not exist. As far as anyone knows the company will stick with the good ole Shed 'n' Sewer Pipe combo. Obviously for their economical value.
I find it amazing the amount of interset at is generated towards this company with regards to its fleet its "fleet replacment porgram" which infact does not exist. As far as anyone knows the company will stick with the good ole Shed 'n' Sewer Pipe combo. Obviously for their economical value.
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Latly I have been hearing their new call sign flight numbers. Prefixed with "C" or is it "SEA". I can only assume that it is "SEA". What do you pruners think about this call sign?......
The call signs are a shocker. They need changing.
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Australia
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The flight number call sign is "SEA" which is obviously the abbreviation for Sunshine Express Airlines.
Don't blame the company...that was the best of the lousy choices offered to them from ASA or CASA or whoever it is that controls these things.
The preferred one I guess would have been "Sunshine" but it was considered to be too similar to "Sunstate". Express is also being used elsewhere so no joy there either!!
Depending on competition in the future, SEA might just have to be dragged kicking & screaming into new aircraft or simply get hammered by the opposition. There's a lot of rumours doing the traps as to what Rex is thinking of doing...
And if the new chief pilot has had the time to do many interviews in the last 2 weeks than he's a legend... thought that he was busy enough without adding that to his plate...
regards, CC
Don't blame the company...that was the best of the lousy choices offered to them from ASA or CASA or whoever it is that controls these things.
The preferred one I guess would have been "Sunshine" but it was considered to be too similar to "Sunstate". Express is also being used elsewhere so no joy there either!!
Depending on competition in the future, SEA might just have to be dragged kicking & screaming into new aircraft or simply get hammered by the opposition. There's a lot of rumours doing the traps as to what Rex is thinking of doing...
And if the new chief pilot has had the time to do many interviews in the last 2 weeks than he's a legend... thought that he was busy enough without adding that to his plate...
regards, CC
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: QLD
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is interesting the amount of interest generated by this little airline. Had heard the DCP had moved into the CP position...so have they appointed someone from within in the DCP role? Or are they looking outside the company?
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CC...
"Dont blam the company"... ?? The company was forced into that decision was it? And while I have got you, you seem to be the man with all the anwers about the company, when is that M23 going to be on line?
"Dont blam the company"... ?? The company was forced into that decision was it? And while I have got you, you seem to be the man with all the anwers about the company, when is that M23 going to be on line?
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Australia
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
WTG,
No they weren't "forced into it". Gee, that was an intelligent question...
Guess that they just wanted to annoy all the controllers & Sunnies drivers by using similar call numbers & getting everybody tongue-tied.
And to (anwer) your question about the metro 23, well I think that it's fairly soon. And contrary to my last post, the CP obviously IS a legend, because he managed to fit in those interviews after all.
Congrats to those that scored a start & wish you all the best.
Regards,
CC
No they weren't "forced into it". Gee, that was an intelligent question...
Guess that they just wanted to annoy all the controllers & Sunnies drivers by using similar call numbers & getting everybody tongue-tied.
And to (anwer) your question about the metro 23, well I think that it's fairly soon. And contrary to my last post, the CP obviously IS a legend, because he managed to fit in those interviews after all.
Congrats to those that scored a start & wish you all the best.
Regards,
CC
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cruise Control, there is no need to get up on your high horse I was just simply asking a question. 
How many were lucky enough to get a start? Were there any direct entry Captains? (Shorts or Metro)
And just remember CC don't take life to Seriously, its ment to be fun.
How many were lucky enough to get a start? Were there any direct entry Captains? (Shorts or Metro)
And just remember CC don't take life to Seriously, its ment to be fun.
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: QLD, Australia
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Regarding FNC's, from what I've been told the TAAATS was designed for and works best with FNC's. Although most pilots and ATC prefer Rego's for callsigns, FNC's are here to stay. ASA would not allow Express, Coast, Sunshine or SEX and offered Shine or Shinex. The company C & T pilots nominated "SEA" and ASA accepted this.
With regard to the recent interviews and the how many got a start, well I'm sure you already have know the answer to that one WTG
But for those outside of SEA the answer is 4, 3 on the Metro and 1 on the Shorts. There were no direct entry commands and there won't be any in the future. The new company policy is to upgrade from within first. For those who have or intend to apply to SEA, the best way to send your details and to keep in contact is via email (see Web page). In the past phone calls from pilot's were they way to go, but with recent growth (therefore increased workload) phone calls can no longer be accepted.
Regarding the CP and DCP positions. Yes the DCP is now the CP and the company currently does not have a DCP. The DCP position will be filled in time and once again company will look internally first, before looking outside (if at all).
With regard to the recent interviews and the how many got a start, well I'm sure you already have know the answer to that one WTG
But for those outside of SEA the answer is 4, 3 on the Metro and 1 on the Shorts. There were no direct entry commands and there won't be any in the future. The new company policy is to upgrade from within first. For those who have or intend to apply to SEA, the best way to send your details and to keep in contact is via email (see Web page). In the past phone calls from pilot's were they way to go, but with recent growth (therefore increased workload) phone calls can no longer be accepted.Regarding the CP and DCP positions. Yes the DCP is now the CP and the company currently does not have a DCP. The DCP position will be filled in time and once again company will look internally first, before looking outside (if at all).
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is my understanding the current interview process is a "panel" style interview with 2 - 3 on the panel. IFR questions are a part of it, company knowledge as well. SEA does not yet have a SIM. You do not need to pay for an endorsement a 2 year bond is the norm. .... Sounds like a good deal to me.....