Considering the 117nm distance EVV-IND and 120nm distance IND-SBN, a Caravan or PC12 would be far more efficient and cost-effective on an intra-state segment than even the most efficient of RJs.

To put some figures to some airplanes...the 2008 Business & Commercial Aviation Operations Planning Guide shows the Cessna Grand Caravan ($1.934M) to cost $3.03/mi (300nm segment) and $524.36/hr to operate...compared to $2.69/mi and $691.78 for the PC12 ($3.86M), $3.42 and $759.82 for the Reims Aviation F406 Caravan II ($3.5M). For comparison's sake, on the small RJ side the E135BJ Legacy Shuttle ($20.63M) costs $7.93/mi on a 300nm segment, or $2560.89/hr and the Do328J (not currently manufactured) costs $8.38/mi and $2689.73/hr.

To put these operating costs per mile and hour in perspective, they show fuel budgeted at $6.57/gal...and Jet-A is 40-50% that these days.

Another good option is the Viking Twin Otter...but there is no operating data in the 2008 book for it. Let me know if I can send you any other figures.

As far as compensation goes...in a small operation in small piston/prop aircraft on short routes with tight margins like this would be, I could see a base salary of $45,000 for PICs and $30,000 for SICs to be reasonable, with raises of 4% annually for longevity AND 3-4% for COLA. Both salaries would put compensation above both Cape Air and Planesense, and be quite reasonable for the cost of living in EVV, IND or SBN (or anywhere in the F'in state for that matter).

Fellow (adopted) Hoosier myself,

BoilerUP