aopa pilot caravan article
02-26-2009 | 04:20 AM
#11
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Beyond being, as you've indicated, somewhat underpowered, I saw big problems with propeller erosion...we flew off of a field with a pretty dilapidated runway, and it truly ate our Hartzell alive. Not a complaint I could really level against the design, I suppose...Any similarly sized turboprop single will have the same issues.
I hadn't heard anything about a 1,000 SHP PT6...but I do know Texas Turbine Conversions is offering an STC to put 1,100 SHP Garretts on Caravans that are flatrated to 900 SHP. They call it the Supervan 900 and it's a $625k modification without the cost of the airframe. If you know of a PT6 STC that competes with this, please post it or PM me...I'd definitely be interested in seeing it.
02-26-2009 | 04:34 AM
#12
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: B767
Or what about when that "reliable" pt6 spools down and its ovc 002 and 1/2sm. I know more than 1 pilot that this has happened to and thankfully the weather was good and they all lived to tell about it. I know some of you out there are die hard about this airplane but I just don't understand it, perhaps you can enlighten me. So what is everyone's opinion of the 208 good bad or indifferent?
Never flew a caravan, but I've heard great things about them. They can haul an amazing amount of cargo, and they supposedly fly like a big skyhawk. I've heard about the icing issues, but I've also heard that it's not that big of a deal. Basically you'll get into trouble if you sit there dumb and happy in moderate icing, so get out of it and you'll be ok. Just what I heard...
02-26-2009 | 04:41 AM
#13
Flying Farmer
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From: Turbo-props' and John Deere's
Pratt's failure rate is something like 1 in 500,000hrs? And that includes fuel controllers, etc.. failures, not complete failures.
Anyways, I think the icing thing in the 208's is legitimate if you have someone low time in them and don't know what they are really looking at. I have 2 short rides in them, from DTW-LUK-DTW(Guess where I interviewed). Wasn't bad, but I can see why certain failures can happen when you're 100% power and then go straight to flight-idle on the base-final turn. Didn't see any ice though on my "rides," but I've talked with a ferry pilot that takes the new 208's across the pond to Europe, and she is highly disappointed with the new TKS.(they even went alki-prop!!)
Anyways, I think the icing thing in the 208's is legitimate if you have someone low time in them and don't know what they are really looking at. I have 2 short rides in them, from DTW-LUK-DTW(Guess where I interviewed). Wasn't bad, but I can see why certain failures can happen when you're 100% power and then go straight to flight-idle on the base-final turn. Didn't see any ice though on my "rides," but I've talked with a ferry pilot that takes the new 208's across the pond to Europe, and she is highly disappointed with the new TKS.(they even went alki-prop!!)
02-26-2009 | 07:48 AM
#14
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02-26-2009 | 12:19 PM
#17
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Sedan driver
Only about 500 hrs. in a Caravan but I really liked it. Would fly one again in a minute. Avoid loitering in the ice and the plane is as good a single as there is. TKS would be really nice.
I've flown 'em in and out of 1600' strips and as long as you keep the weight reasonable it's just fine.
Comfortable, great visibility, lots of load capacity, bleed air heat, what else does a guy need?
I've flown 'em in and out of 1600' strips and as long as you keep the weight reasonable it's just fine.
Comfortable, great visibility, lots of load capacity, bleed air heat, what else does a guy need?
02-26-2009 | 01:16 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Right Seat, PIC
02-26-2009 | 01:29 PM
#19
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From: Lear 35
02-27-2009 | 01:26 AM
#20
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Van Driver in love...
1200 hours and over a year in the Caravan... and still in lust with it!
FWIW...
I do up to 14 legs a day, 7+ hours flight time, in a 9 pax config, nicely equipped TCAS, GWPS, A/P, A/C, nice Garmins, and sheep-skin covered seats... come on! The only thing better would be to get a paycheck every other week for flying it... oh wait.... that happens, too... actually, I can't think of anything better!
Happy flying everybody!
FWIW...
I do up to 14 legs a day, 7+ hours flight time, in a 9 pax config, nicely equipped TCAS, GWPS, A/P, A/C, nice Garmins, and sheep-skin covered seats... come on! The only thing better would be to get a paycheck every other week for flying it... oh wait.... that happens, too... actually, I can't think of anything better!
Happy flying everybody!
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