The list is LONG but to touch upon a few...

3 axis autopilot would be number one towards making it a pilots airplane

An FMS that actually talks to its counterpart without needing a crossfill

Not needing to press alt sel everytime you change altitudes

Make the gear about 3 inches taller so we arent limited to 7.5 degrees before we strike the tail

A more accurate autopilot that can intercept a loc from a standard 30 degree intercept 10 miles out at 200 knots without flying through it and then S turning

Build the fastest part 121 turboprop in the world that cant do 250 knots below 8000 feet due to certification when the plane could easily do 300+ (illegally) but still...250 would be nice without the redline in the way.

A more bulletproof autopilot that does not kick off in light to moderate turb

Figure out a way to put a more forgiving gear on it..ive been flying it for well over a thousand hours now and a good landing is a guessing game for me and anyone ive seen fly it...there is no fool proof 100 percent trick.

For things that cant be changed for the common type rating...

Lose the condition levers...they are just buttons anyway with a few "settings" that could easily be replaced with buttons that are already in the plane.

FMS, Fadec, Glass....caution warning panel ?!....lose that stupid thing and put an EICAS in it.

minor annoyance....lose the bus tie switch that isnt actually connected to anything

While you are at it...put the wings under the fuselage because high wings are for primary trainers and look stupid.


And last but not least......pay me more to fly it

 

Granted, the top end Horizon payscale looks good, but it will take you 18 yrs with the company to get it. That is 50% greater than the industry standard of 12. Also, that's after sitting right seat for a lot longer than at most regionals. If you're shooting to make the most money you can at a regional, with all things considered, there are better options. Especially if you are looking to move on.

 

That list is awesome and I totally agree. Couple of things I would add would be to lose the stupid flip out chart holder down low on the side and put in a funtional one up by the window pillar with a swivel light like the CRJ has. Oh and the ability to snyc the heading bug by just pushing the knob and not having to spin it.

 

How about a warmer cockpit so you don't need a blanket in the winter?

 

300 knots isn't illegal in the country that it was built, or a lot of the rest of the world.

 

SkyWest. Rumor has it, UAX flying out of LAX maybe SFO too (hence the recent SAN & SMF base closings...to get the Bro guys in play) starting in March. On a side note, SkyWest did a airport qual test flight yesterday in MMH from SLC in the CR7. Possible seasonal service (Delta or at risk), however could be interesting competing against Horizon out LAX on that route. How did LAX-MMH do last year?

 

funny how all the rumors are starting. I heard pinnacle is getting them. The reason it was kept a secret was because we cant order planes and expect growth while the company is preaching doom and gloom while we are in negotiations. And the reason that pinnacle ordered them for pinnacle inc and not colgan inc is because by the end of next year colgan will be with us and the colgan name will not be around anymore. according to our "TA", which everyone knows isn't official till its voted in, our scope calls for colgan to be put on one seniority list with us.

 

I heard it was Comair getting them... They are furloughing another 59 pilots to help pay for the planes.

 

Seems like it is going to be tough to ratify the TA and merge a list by the end of the year. I am very curious to see what the TA has in it since it will probably be Colgan's as well.

 

thats why i said the end of next year.