RFDS Pilatus PC-12 In NZ
Sprucegoose
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Location: Hughes Point, where life is great! Was also resident on page 13, but now I'm lost in Cyberspace....
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Let's face it the PC-12 is bigger, faster, more ergonomic, more cost efficient and has better single engine climb performance! 
Still I'm happy SE has stuck with the old Beech!
Still I'm happy SE has stuck with the old Beech!
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oz
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HH I'm sure that was said "Tounge in Cheek"....
On an average return flight from PD to JT, the PC 12 takes about 30 -40 minutes longer than the B200 did...Slower in climb (both R.O.C and IAS and cruise).
Perhaps we should use the term "One Engine-Out Performance" rather than Single-Engine Climb Performance.....Think the B200 might have a slight advantage.
Not saying the PC-12 doesnt have its good points, it surely does, but is not the best option for Aeromed in terms of safety, particularly at night/IMC.
Still, the bean counters assure us that it is well and truly cheaper to operate these than the B200's.
Hans
Put simply its a Risk Vs Cost exercise and the ones conducting it will probably never have their asses strapped into it.
On an average return flight from PD to JT, the PC 12 takes about 30 -40 minutes longer than the B200 did...Slower in climb (both R.O.C and IAS and cruise).
Perhaps we should use the term "One Engine-Out Performance" rather than Single-Engine Climb Performance.....Think the B200 might have a slight advantage.
Not saying the PC-12 doesnt have its good points, it surely does, but is not the best option for Aeromed in terms of safety, particularly at night/IMC.
Still, the bean counters assure us that it is well and truly cheaper to operate these than the B200's.
Hans
Put simply its a Risk Vs Cost exercise and the ones conducting it will probably never have their asses strapped into it.
Seasonally Adjusted
In a single pilot aeroplane, the aircraft's range is directly proportional to the size of the pilots bladder!
Sprucegoose
Join Date: Sep 2000
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Not a problem....when the Flight Nurse passes up the bottle.
Of course asking for the pan means a lifetime of ribbing from your workmates!
On an average return flight from PD to JT, the PC 12 takes about 30 -40 minutes longer than the B200 did...
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The region's air ambulance trust is currently working closely with the flying doctor service to buy the fully kitted out plane on offer for about $2 million, trust chairman Bruce Findlay said.
New planes cost more than $5m.
New planes cost more than $5m.
That's quite a loss for Aus although many may argue that it's a good thing to get rid of it.
I would think it's unlikely the RFDS will be selling one of their NG's but maybe one of the older one's that there is talk Queensland Section will be retiring next year. Could be way off the mark though!!!
Maybe when the new PIlatus jet arrives for Central Section, the bean counters may offer our Kiwi cousins a few of the older PC-12's at the right price!
Perhaps they were going to give the PC-12 a run around the pylons at Wanaka?
Perhaps they were going to give the PC-12 a run around the pylons at Wanaka?
Sprucegoose
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Maybe when the new Pilatus jet arrives for Central Section,
Actually I'm just jealous because we won't be seeing a jet anytime soon!
Join Date: Jun 2012
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The blokes that are saying that there is not a lot of difference In operating costs between the PC-12 and the b200 how are you arriving at those figures? I've run a rough count over fuel figures alone based on 600lb for the b200 and 450 for the PC-12 which over 20000 hours works out to a saving of 3.75 million alone for the PC-12. Chuck on top the extra 2 million for the purchase price on the kingair. The PC-12 must be a hell of a maintenance hog if the operating costs are similar.
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The PC-12 must be a hell of a maintenance hog if the operating costs are similar
That part I would have to agree with, especially when you've got a 6'6" pilot who wears size 13 boots
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Would be interested to see your figures on maintenance Jamair, having operated both types the PC-12 in our operation is approx 75% cheaper to run than the B200 including maintenance.
Even the independent 3rd party costing programs show the PC-12 to be cheaper to run. What are we missing here ?? The extra fuel burn alone in the B200 breaks the wallet.
We've got a 6'3" pilot on staff and he says he rests his feet on top of the rudder pedals comfortably in the PC-12 when he needs to stretch his legs.
The pilot seats in our PC-12's have a multitude of adjustments (and also inflatable lumbar support) as standard. I know the earlier legacy PC-12's didn't have as much adjustment (or lumbar support) but the ones we fly do.
Even the independent 3rd party costing programs show the PC-12 to be cheaper to run. What are we missing here ?? The extra fuel burn alone in the B200 breaks the wallet.
We've got a 6'3" pilot on staff and he says he rests his feet on top of the rudder pedals comfortably in the PC-12 when he needs to stretch his legs.
The pilot seats in our PC-12's have a multitude of adjustments (and also inflatable lumbar support) as standard. I know the earlier legacy PC-12's didn't have as much adjustment (or lumbar support) but the ones we fly do.
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75% cheaper all sounds good for the bean counting boffins sitting in their cosy offices 9-5 they aren't the ones out there flying over tiger country in a SE at night in solid IMC all the way to the hills!!!
PASS:-)
Wmk2
PASS:-)
Wmk2
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Jamair until you can come up with some figures I just can't see how you can justify that. I fly the classic Pc-12 and I'm 6"3 and 110kg. I have 1000 odd hours on the b200 and find the PC-12 cockpit far easier to get into and with has more room than the kingair. Yes you do lose a bit on the leg room but I can deal with that.
As far as an aeromed aircraft give me the PC-12 anyday. Trailing link undercarriage, huge cargo door. More range and more payload and gives away very little in speed. The new b200's are so heavy and the 250 even more so they are becoming more and more impractical. It will be a a ridiculous waste of money when the rfds has to start replacing them with the 350
As far as an aeromed aircraft give me the PC-12 anyday. Trailing link undercarriage, huge cargo door. More range and more payload and gives away very little in speed. The new b200's are so heavy and the 250 even more so they are becoming more and more impractical. It will be a a ridiculous waste of money when the rfds has to start replacing them with the 350
Last edited by Nick 123; 9th Jul 2014 at 10:37. Reason: Typo
