Rush Hours Alternative Aircraft Poll #2

[Seth]

This is the second part of the aircraft poll.  In case the financing doesn't come through for a couple of Caravan's, or as backup aircraft and smaller aircraft for smaller markets but continued demand at those airports,  I'm curious of the thoughts of using, as mentioned in the Poll #1 but not questioned, a Piper Seneca or Piper Six (cherokee 6 - 300).

 

For one 8-9 seat Piper Navajo, I can have three 4/5 seat Piper 6 (four of the seats in club seating).

 

Same price, 9 seat max vs 3x5 or 15 seat max with the ability to hit different routes, or loop every 30 minutes or so, however, there is a HUGE difference between cabin class for 8-9 and club seating for 4 with one in the copilot seat - if we even would allow that.

 

So, please take this poll too.

 

Thanks,

 

-Seth

[201er]

Seth, give me one good reason why as a passenger anyone would forego the second engine (especially when speed is the same? and try selling a passenger on the fact that a single engine Mooney can be faster than a bulky twin)?

[garytex]

There is no logic to non aviator's fears.  Those of us that answer are aviators, don't pay too much attention to our opinions.  According to the fearful we are about half touched, but I think Dav8or may be pretty close.  I'm trying to remember what the rest of the passengers were opining on a Caravan ride I took in Belize.  They were plenty spooked, however.

[aviatoreb]

I answered your poll in non-pilot sterotypical fears I hear.  They look at all airplanes with propellors as somehow more dangerous than all airplanes with jet engines.  I mean a 40 passenger airplane with twin turbine engines is significantly slumming it to some people.

 

But for non pilots, twins are better than singles period.  And parachutes are better than not.  Period.  Just from a sales standpoint I mean for your potential business.

[mjc]

I'm fine riding in singles all day long, provided they're equipped for the flight. The times you really want this kind of service are on the days when traffic is worst. Which is days when weather is terrible. I said no for the parachute, but I think the answer really is "it depends." How much flying will these planes be doing in icing conditions? How many of them are going to be FIKI certified, or at least equipped with deice gear?

[carusoam]

Thoughts on Passenger preference...

Twin jet, twin turbine, twin piston, single turbine, single piston...

I expect that if you have to explain the difference to each passenger, it can't be successful.

A single turbine would be my preference, but not really economical for short hops.

If you have to explain the parachute, somebody will use it in flight before it is needed.

I would also consider removing the dual controls as well????

Is there a recorded incident of a passenger touching things that they were told not to? (controls or parachute)

I like the idea of taking a ride on Cape Air. They used to have a short hop from CT to Block Island (seasonal). You can see a lot about a business as a customer. Call it market research... They had both singles and twins doing this short hop.

Best regards,

-a-

[Seth]

I was a passenger on Cape Air about 10 years ago in the 402 and sat in the front right seat.  It was a night flight from Boston over to Nantuckett (ACK) where I was visiting my girlfriend up there at the time (and that her parent's summer home - shouldn't have messed that one up!).

 

That is one of the organizations I plan to contact once I come up some more infomraiton should I decide to move forward with this idea.  I want to know why they picked the Cessna 402 over the PA-31.

 

Take care,

 

-Seth

[carusoam]

Seth, Sometimes..... It's better to not look back!

Best regards,

-a-

[aviatoreb]

I was a passenger on Cape Air about 10 years ago in the 402 and sat in the front right seat.  It was a night flight from Boston over to Nantuckett (ACK) where I was visiting my girlfriend up there at the time (and that her parent's summer home - shouldn't have messed that one up!).

 

That is one of the organizations I plan to contact once I come up some more infomraiton should I decide to move forward with this idea.  I want to know why they picked the Cessna 402 over the PA-31.

 

Take care,

 

-Seth

 

Remember this TV show?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c1KJCsRmlM

That opening sequence is a Cessna 402 and that very airframe you see in the show is still in the Cape Air fleet, and I even flew in it last year.  It is painted "as seen on wings" on the side, and the pilot confirmed.