That's exactly why I bailed out. Luckily, I don't measure my self worth by how many internet arguments I've won or lost.

Thanks for the link. I hope Neptune does get more flying. It really is very competitve out there-maybe more so than the frac or regional world.

Now if Neptune got some overseas flying with the BA-146's, that would be fine too. I could hang out in Europe for awhile.

It's a much, much smaller community.

So the Be200 operation out of Santa Maria is done? This makes perfect government sense to throw money at converting airliners into airtankers, dumb idea. I could not think of a worse platform to use than a MD80!!
BE-200 USA: "Saving Lives & Saving Land"

There was no Bierev operation in the US. They tried to sell the airplane, but the price tag was far and away not cost-justified.

It would be another useful tool in the proverbial toolbox, but one must also look at the cost per gallon delivered, as well as the capability of operations...and who is going to buy one and put it to work?

Except for a soviet airliner.

Ya like an Antonov. Those are beasty.

How much money do you think the government spends, converting aircraft into air tankers? A million? A hundred million? Twelve billion?

The government doesn't convert aircraft into tankers.

What aircraft would you convert to be a tanker?

The P2V was designed to be a bomber, as was the PB4Y-2. The C-130 was ready-made for low level deliveries. Even the P3 was designed for and was capable of mast level bombing and low altitude delivery. Only the P2 remains.

Presently the BAE-146 is seeing initial success in service. Although quite costly, the DC-10 has been well received as effective.

I was offered a position for this year for the MD-87. I don't expect to see it fielded, and I didn't accept the position, but I wish them well. I don't see it as a very good concept, but it is what it is. The operator has fronted the money to do it; if it doesn't pan out, they're the ones that lose, just like Evergreen with the 747.

They were awarded a contract. They are also expecting to work overseas. We can expect to see it fielded!