Sunshine Express
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Sunshine Express
I'm thinking of appling to Sunshine Express bases on the Sunshine Coast and was wondering if anyone has any experience with them, What is the Management like, Chief Pilot Etc.
Is there any truth to the rumor they may be replacing the Shorts / Metro with a Dash8?
I've heard the Shorts may be taken off the Coffs run and replaced by the Metro going BNE,CH,TW,ARM return,because the Shorts isn't getting the loads to CH.
Can anyone shed some light.
Is there any truth to the rumor they may be replacing the Shorts / Metro with a Dash8?
I've heard the Shorts may be taken off the Coffs run and replaced by the Metro going BNE,CH,TW,ARM return,because the Shorts isn't getting the loads to CH.
Can anyone shed some light.
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Don't know anything about Sunshine's management or Chief Pilot, but I've heard strong rumours that a fleet replacement study is under way. Option 1 is to replace both the Shorts 360 and Metro 3 with the Brasilia. Option 2 is replacing the Metro 3 with another 19 seat aircraft (ie J32 or B1900D) and the Shorts 360 with a Dash 8.
There are also rumours the airline will add a few more NSW destinations very soon, watch this space.
There are also rumours the airline will add a few more NSW destinations very soon, watch this space.
by Woomera
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Tightcannon
I have followed some of the responses and comments you have posted on this site, and it appears to me you profess to know a lot about other peoples conduct. Unfortunatly, for your reputation, it is quite clear to people involved in your gossip that you know very little, or eat up the B******t dished up to you.
Get a life!
I have followed some of the responses and comments you have posted on this site, and it appears to me you profess to know a lot about other peoples conduct. Unfortunatly, for your reputation, it is quite clear to people involved in your gossip that you know very little, or eat up the B******t dished up to you.
Get a life!
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Ok all I apologise if I appear too passionate in my replies on this subject but in my limited experience it seams that there are aviators in this country who seam hell bent on ruining the careers of others in less than positive ways. If you aren’t getting fed properly on flights, or you think that the radar is u/s or there has been a mix up with water meth or that you are not being treated fairly then you need to be proactive. Join the AFAP, Then see the Chief pilot in an official meeting, if that doesn’t work then go over his head, if that wont work ring the feds, if they wont help you then get together with your fellow pilots and do something positive. Being hell bent on getting an airline grounded for no reason is not right. We all know that management is not the best in any airline but they pay our wages. I don’t know about you but packing shelves is not the way to get food on the table. So if I have offended anyone I am truly sorry but this industry is hard enough to survive in without infighting and lack of communication.
You know if SExp do move on to Braz's, Dash or similar then it will be great for everyone concerned. you don’t have to ever break rules but there are times when you have to play the game and help, if it means that we have to work smarter and apply an MEL or fly VFR home or even organise alternative pax travel then we should do it with a smile. Look how much the metro crews are now appreciated on the southern run. They are making a profit, running on time and the pax love them for it. if that is what can happen with every bodies effort then in a few years you could be doing every Dash 8 100 route in the region. Then you will get loss of lic insurance, crew rooms, auto met, real training, allowances and the like. If you belong to the AFAP the wages will go up and you will have a professional career.
Once again I apologise to Target and Cruze Power but heck man we need to work smarter proactively not reactively.
You know if SExp do move on to Braz's, Dash or similar then it will be great for everyone concerned. you don’t have to ever break rules but there are times when you have to play the game and help, if it means that we have to work smarter and apply an MEL or fly VFR home or even organise alternative pax travel then we should do it with a smile. Look how much the metro crews are now appreciated on the southern run. They are making a profit, running on time and the pax love them for it. if that is what can happen with every bodies effort then in a few years you could be doing every Dash 8 100 route in the region. Then you will get loss of lic insurance, crew rooms, auto met, real training, allowances and the like. If you belong to the AFAP the wages will go up and you will have a professional career.
Once again I apologise to Target and Cruze Power but heck man we need to work smarter proactively not reactively.
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Tightcannon. Are you suggesting it’s OK to “bend the rules”, possibly in contravention of legislation and potentially jeopardising the safety of the aircraft, passengers and crew, in order to preserve your job, especially if you are a member of the AFAP?
You don’t see a possible systemic safety issue both in the alleged contamination and possibly a “cover up”?
And you think that is acceptable in any aviation operation and particularly an RPT operation?
Are you suggestion those who do not share your view are simply trying to bring the company down and should “move on”?
You don’t see a possible systemic safety issue both in the alleged contamination and possibly a “cover up”?
And you think that is acceptable in any aviation operation and particularly an RPT operation?
Are you suggestion those who do not share your view are simply trying to bring the company down and should “move on”?
Last edited by Tail_Wheel; 15th Jan 2004 at 11:20.
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Tightcannon,
The AFAP will not help you with problems such as MELs and defects, it is not their role, its the PICs.
Your comment sugesting it is possible to get an airline 'grounded for no reason' is absurd. CASA do not ground airlines because they have nothing else to do! a company that meets its obligations to its employees, customers and legislators has nothing to fear from a CASA audit. Those that do not meet their obligations but are trying do not get grounded, they get direction in how they may improve to remain holders of an AOC, those that refuse to improve get grounded.
Safety is the first priority in aviation, we have all seen what happens to companies that have had major accidents, and who is left responsible, thats right, the PIC, not management. And where are the careers for future aviators in these companies after they collapse, there isnt one.
And lastly, I take offense with your suggestion that to have a 'professional career' you must disregard safety and award conditions when it suits, a professional aviator would not compromise themselves this way and a professional company would not allow it.
further to my last,
The conditions you speak of that will be provided when all is rosey have already been covered in the award negotiated by the AFAP, shoudnt they already have them!
The AFAP will not help you with problems such as MELs and defects, it is not their role, its the PICs.
Your comment sugesting it is possible to get an airline 'grounded for no reason' is absurd. CASA do not ground airlines because they have nothing else to do! a company that meets its obligations to its employees, customers and legislators has nothing to fear from a CASA audit. Those that do not meet their obligations but are trying do not get grounded, they get direction in how they may improve to remain holders of an AOC, those that refuse to improve get grounded.
Safety is the first priority in aviation, we have all seen what happens to companies that have had major accidents, and who is left responsible, thats right, the PIC, not management. And where are the careers for future aviators in these companies after they collapse, there isnt one.
And lastly, I take offense with your suggestion that to have a 'professional career' you must disregard safety and award conditions when it suits, a professional aviator would not compromise themselves this way and a professional company would not allow it.
further to my last,
The conditions you speak of that will be provided when all is rosey have already been covered in the award negotiated by the AFAP, shoudnt they already have them!
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How is this for form,
The personal specifics you posted are inappropriate in this forum.
Woomera
This early is only 5 years old and during the last 12 months it has experienced considerable growth and they really didn't have the resources in place for that growth. That has been recognised and procedures and staff have been put in place. Recently they have employed a Compliance Manager, who in the past was a qantas sim insturctor/flight safety instructor/accident investigator/safety manager. Their previous Chief Pilot has also returned after a stint with one of the majors. The problems that have occured to this company have occured to all the regional airlines in Australia when they grow. Go and talk to any pilot who has been with Sunstate, Eastern, Hazelton and Kendell (REX) for more than 20 years and they will tell you the same occured there. With Eastern and Sunstate it wasn't until Australian/Qantas had full ownership that most of their problems were fixed. I can remember back in the early-mid 90's the Hazelton pilots were still called bush pilots and cowboys by Eastern pilots, due to the way they operated.
Yes there is an award, but this award was put together way back when the airline business was stable. The last 3 years have been the most turmoil in rescent history. Look at the pay and conditions of one of our majors and look at want the pay and conditions will be like at pornstar. If these large airlines are lowering their conditions what do you thing will happen to the smaller regionals? Times have changed move with the times. In the past the pilots at this company had it easy, with duty time not exceeding 6 hours. With the growth they have to work harder with dome duties approaching 10 hours (remember the legal limit is 11). Work together has a "team", I'm sure you can find a medium that suits both the pilots and the mangement. If you can't and you are not happy "leave"!
The personal specifics you posted are inappropriate in this forum.
Woomera
This early is only 5 years old and during the last 12 months it has experienced considerable growth and they really didn't have the resources in place for that growth. That has been recognised and procedures and staff have been put in place. Recently they have employed a Compliance Manager, who in the past was a qantas sim insturctor/flight safety instructor/accident investigator/safety manager. Their previous Chief Pilot has also returned after a stint with one of the majors. The problems that have occured to this company have occured to all the regional airlines in Australia when they grow. Go and talk to any pilot who has been with Sunstate, Eastern, Hazelton and Kendell (REX) for more than 20 years and they will tell you the same occured there. With Eastern and Sunstate it wasn't until Australian/Qantas had full ownership that most of their problems were fixed. I can remember back in the early-mid 90's the Hazelton pilots were still called bush pilots and cowboys by Eastern pilots, due to the way they operated.
Yes there is an award, but this award was put together way back when the airline business was stable. The last 3 years have been the most turmoil in rescent history. Look at the pay and conditions of one of our majors and look at want the pay and conditions will be like at pornstar. If these large airlines are lowering their conditions what do you thing will happen to the smaller regionals? Times have changed move with the times. In the past the pilots at this company had it easy, with duty time not exceeding 6 hours. With the growth they have to work harder with dome duties approaching 10 hours (remember the legal limit is 11). Work together has a "team", I'm sure you can find a medium that suits both the pilots and the mangement. If you can't and you are not happy "leave"!
Last edited by Woomera; 15th Jan 2004 at 12:00.
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how come everytime someone asks a question on safety,fatigue,some regulation or about a specific company it becomes open slather on an argument.
heres a thought if you dont have anything constructive to say or add to the actual content of the thread "DONT REPLY TO IT!!!"
heres a thought if you dont have anything constructive to say or add to the actual content of the thread "DONT REPLY TO IT!!!"
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Just to get back to the subject of the posters request...
Sunshine express is gradually expanding & will obviously need new aircraft to cope with that expansion. What they get we'll have to wait & see but the old shed isn't a bad bus to drive in the meantime.
There are big changes in place with management at present, with the GM moving up & new CRM practices being brought in.
Despite what some overly zealous individuals may have said in the past, CQ is a great little airline to work for & in my experience have always tried to do the right thing.
They aren't presently recruiting for flight crew but you never know when that may change. The CP is a good bloke & tries to do his best with any applicants.
Best of luck...
CC
Sunshine express is gradually expanding & will obviously need new aircraft to cope with that expansion. What they get we'll have to wait & see but the old shed isn't a bad bus to drive in the meantime.
There are big changes in place with management at present, with the GM moving up & new CRM practices being brought in.
Despite what some overly zealous individuals may have said in the past, CQ is a great little airline to work for & in my experience have always tried to do the right thing.
They aren't presently recruiting for flight crew but you never know when that may change. The CP is a good bloke & tries to do his best with any applicants.
Best of luck...
CC
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If Sunshine Express are looking at an aircraft that will allow them greater flexibility than you can't go past the Jungleprop. The aircraft is well suited for both short and long routes. They are very efficient aircraft with a high dispatch rate due the redundancy built into it. They have one of the lowest fuel burns of any 30-36 seat aircraft, combined with a 240- 290 TAS.
SkyWest Airlines in the USA have a fleet of 80 Jungleprops operating on routes along the west coast ranging from 36 miles up to 462 miles. Typical flights are
LAX - SBA 89 miles
LAX - SNA 36 miles
LAX - OXR 48 miles
LAX - PSP 110 miles
LAX - SBP 155 miles
SFO - SMF 86 miles
SFO - CEC 304 miles
SFO - RDM 462 miles
PDX - RDM 116 miles
It is a proven fact that passenger acceptance and therefore load factors have increased when pressurised aircraft have replaced non-pressurised aircraft. The Jungleprop maybe a bit large to replace the Metro but it would be the ideal aircraft to replace the Shorts.
SkyWest Airlines in the USA have a fleet of 80 Jungleprops operating on routes along the west coast ranging from 36 miles up to 462 miles. Typical flights are
LAX - SBA 89 miles
LAX - SNA 36 miles
LAX - OXR 48 miles
LAX - PSP 110 miles
LAX - SBP 155 miles
SFO - SMF 86 miles
SFO - CEC 304 miles
SFO - RDM 462 miles
PDX - RDM 116 miles
It is a proven fact that passenger acceptance and therefore load factors have increased when pressurised aircraft have replaced non-pressurised aircraft. The Jungleprop maybe a bit large to replace the Metro but it would be the ideal aircraft to replace the Shorts.
Volunteers anyone?
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Forgot to mention it last time, but Atlantic Southeast Airlines late last year parked 29 Brasilia's at Hot Springs Airport. All 29 are for sale with prices starting at $600,000 USD. Average price is $1 million USD.
You would be hard pressed to find B1900D for less than $1.6 million USD. For $1 million you might pick up a 1900C.
You would be hard pressed to find B1900D for less than $1.6 million USD. For $1 million you might pick up a 1900C.
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Counter,
The good news is they intend to add a few more destinations by mid year, which means more jobs. On the other hand I've also heard there have been a few reliability problems with current fleet which need to be addressed before adding any new destinations.
The good news is they intend to add a few more destinations by mid year, which means more jobs. On the other hand I've also heard there have been a few reliability problems with current fleet which need to be addressed before adding any new destinations.
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4553 views, seems like there are a lot of people out in prune land who are interested in this little airline.
Cruise Control, watch what you post about, if you put 2 and 2 together the answer may give you away.
Oh and before I go, I did hear a rumour that SEA were in discussion with Qantas about the takeover of the whole Qantaslink operation
Remember it is only a rumour network
Cruise Control, watch what you post about, if you put 2 and 2 together the answer may give you away.
Oh and before I go, I did hear a rumour that SEA were in discussion with Qantas about the takeover of the whole Qantaslink operation
Remember it is only a rumour network
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Hi F111,
Doesn't worry me about someone figuring out who I am because I don't bag people on here nor pass on any information that isn't already public knowledge.
But as you say it's a rumour network so guessing games are fun!!
You're right though, it isn't that hard to work out who someone is if you go back through their previous posts. Why would you bother though??
All the best,
CC
Doesn't worry me about someone figuring out who I am because I don't bag people on here nor pass on any information that isn't already public knowledge.
But as you say it's a rumour network so guessing games are fun!!
You're right though, it isn't that hard to work out who someone is if you go back through their previous posts. Why would you bother though??
All the best,
CC