Cape Air C402 Days Numbered ?

[scottb613]

Hi Folks,

As an aficionado of all things Cape Air - just came across an article where Cape Air signed a deal with Tecnam to replace the venerable Cessna 402's... I don't know - it certainly seems to lose it's charm in translation - or perhaps I'm just getting old... It's the first time I've seen this plane - fixed gear - high wing - ugh...

On the bright side - maybe we'll get a finely modeled P2012 in flight sim before we see a Cessna 402...

http://aviationtribune.com/airlines/north-america/cape-air-first-fly-tecnam-p2012-traveller/

 

Tecnam P2012 Traveller

 

Regards,
Scott

[n4gix]

Considering that the P-2006 has retractable gear, I suspect that the P-2012 will once it's design and testing is further along. It's a nice looking airplane as far as I'm concerned.

[scianoir]

6 hours ago, scottb613 said:

It's the first time I've seen this plane - fixed gear - high wing - ugh...

Well as the saying goes, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" - but I agree.....ugh!

Bill

[HighBypass]

It looks, not quite right, but perhaps it prioritises function over form. It would look better in the air with retractable gear, should Tecnam ever produce that option as Fr.Bill supposes.

[Wink207]

10 hours ago, scottb613 said:

Hi Folks,

As an aficionado of all things Cape Air - just came across an article where Cape Air signed a deal with Tecnam to replace the venerable Cessna 402's... I don't know - it certainly seems to lose it's charm in translation - or perhaps I'm just getting old... It's the first time I've seen this plane - fixed gear - high wing - ugh...

On the bright side - maybe we'll get a finely modeled P2012 in flight sim before we see a Cessna 402...

http://aviationtribune.com/airlines/north-america/cape-air-first-fly-tecnam-p2012-traveller/

 

Tecnam P2012 Traveller

 

Regards,
Scott

Not to worry Scott. Joe and Bryan will always fly the (single) 402 forever, competing with Roy Bigens AirMass across the aisle.

After about 5 flights with the Flysimware 402, complete with Cape Air colors, I'll probably park it. It offers GTN capability, but buggy. And as you said, it is a bit "rough". Oh well, worth a shot for $15.

Rick

 

[RyInTheSky]

I enjoy the Flysimware 402, it flies pretty accurate to me. You have to pay attention to it in the flare and manage the power all of the way down though. That is for sure. I am disappointed to see the 402 go away. It is such a stately looking airplane. I used to spend alot of time hopping up and down the west coast of Florida years back in them.

[scottb613]

14 hours ago, silverheels2 said:

Not to worry Scott. Joe and Bryan will always fly the (single) 402 forever, competing with Roy Bigens AirMass across the aisle.

Hi Folks,

It was a great show - [sigh] simpler times...

 

Regards,
Scott

[Ident]

The 402 airframe is on the back side of its life cycle. At least most if not all of the Cape Airs fleet is and they own most of the 402's out there. They have been looking at a replacement for years including Shorts and have a company build a plane specific for them.

One of the biggest maintenance issues with the ACK Attacks (HYA-ACK) is the cycle count. With such short hops the planes cycle out for schedule maintenance. they can rotate the planes putting them on longer routes but that is a huge factor in overall operating cost. By going with a non retractable gear, I believe, that is no longer an issue.

Island Air moved from the C402s to the Caravan which not only cut down that cost but also moved from a multi to single engine cost. Although, flying over water is a big issue with both of those companys routes so there was a gamble on safety in the event of an emergency. that said, a full loaded 402 on a summer day with an engine out during climb is not going to provide any promising results.

Another design of this plane that I find attractive is the forward nose compartment door. As a rampie who use to load those 402's, the way this forward door opens up would be welcoming to shorter ramp staff. I'm 6'2" so it wasnt an issue for me but when you have a 70 lbs tool box or something like that to add to the plane as checked baggage and have to reach in and pull it out almost above your shoulders with limited space, its not that fun nor easy.

With the high wing design, they would lose the wing lockers they use for storage of carry ons. Not that big of a deal because they could still place them in the nose or aft but it will be a factor for travelers.

As someone who lives on Nantucket and would use this plane, find it to be a nice option over the 402. 

[Wink207]

32 minutes ago, Ident said:

The 402 airframe is on the back side of its life cycle. At least most if not all of the Cape Airs fleet is and they own most of the 402's out there. They have been looking at a replacement for years including Shorts and have a company build a plane specific for them.

One of the biggest maintenance issues with the ACK Attacks (HYA-ACK) is the cycle count. With such short hops the planes cycle out for schedule maintenance. they can rotate the planes putting them on longer routes but that is a huge factor in overall operating cost. By going with a non retractable gear, I believe, that is no longer an issue.

Island Air moved from the C402s to the Caravan which not only cut down that cost but also moved from a multi to single engine cost. Although, flying over water is a big issue with both of those companys routes so there was a gamble on safety in the event of an emergency. that said, a full loaded 402 on a summer day with an engine out during climb is not going to provide any promising results.

Another design of this plane that I find attractive is the forward nose compartment door. As a rampie who use to load those 402's, the way this forward door opens up would be welcoming to shorter ramp staff. I'm 6'2" so it wasnt an issue for me but when you have a 70 lbs tool box or something like that to add to the plane as checked baggage and have to reach in and pull it out almost above your shoulders with limited space, its not that fun nor easy.

With the high wing design, they would lose the wing lockers they use for storage of carry ons. Not that big of a deal because they could still place them in the nose or aft but it will be a factor for travelers.

As someone who lives on Nantucket and would use this plane, find it to be a nice option over the 402. 

I seem to remember some years back an aircraft was lost with a number of passengers leaving Block Island for Westerly. Suspicion was a lost engine. No survivors. A dog washed up on the Block a few days later. Might have been a Cape Air 402 but can't swear. Not as it turns out. It was an Islander. Sad.

http://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/30/us/search-for-plane-suspended-off-block-island.html