dMw Aircraft

Sparko · February 08, 2015, 03:23:11 PM

So we have just pushed past the $100k mark in the group bank, well done all :thumb:

We now need to start to plan what aircraft we ought to purchase when we have enough money. Obviously something like the size of the King Air 350 would be more profitable due to its capacity.

Has anyone got any suggestions on what aircraft we should get? Bare in mind that it would need to be something that all members can use so it would either need to be an FSX default aircraft or something that is freeware that can easily downloaded.

Also keep an eye out for any 'bargains' on aircraft that you spot.

vobler · February 08, 2015, 05:53:11 PM

To find out what aircrafts are available in FSEconomy.

Press Home in the FSEconomy main page, select Aircraft Models,
and on the next page select Open Table view.

vobler · February 08, 2015, 06:45:20 PM

My suggestion regarding plane would have to be the Cessna 208 Caravan. That is available as default in FSX. I saw at least three in Europe for sale for about 750000. It takes 13 passenger and about 1500kg cargo. Is a single with fixed gear and simple to fly, yet cruises faster than some smaller planes like the 337 and the 206.

There is two Carenado versions One with G1000 and one "semi steam" version.

Lovely plane!

Other than that I would suggest to lease planes in the beginning if the lease prices are like the one I got. 7000 for a C206, 20000 for a King Air C90. If Dead Men would refund half of a months lease, everyone could use the plane they like from the start. I don't see my self using group planes unless they where assigned to me for a extended period of time. But don't get med wrong, I think we should have a group plane to let new ones test. But that could be a 172 as that one is in by default both in FSX and X-plane.

What I would like for Dead Men was to consentrate on buying a base or bases. That would realy give us something to work together on.

TeaLeaf · February 08, 2015, 07:37:40 PM

I'll be honest and say I'd prefer something a little larger, mainly get the additional range. Fill up a Caravan and the range tumbles. Put the same 14 people in say a Carenado B1900D then you can still go a long way without refuelling and also have the option to do larger flights on the shorter range. I've not looked into loads of planes though, so DYOR!

Whatever we get I'll probably end up getting the Carenado version (or other HQ version). Been quite impressed with what I have seen of theirs.

vobler · February 08, 2015, 08:25:44 PM

I agree that the B1900 is a better plane, but it is twice the price, a twin and needs a copilot. It is not easy to know what is the best.

This is why I would like us to help finane each others planes, and build bases instead of a fleet of planes.

TeaLeaf · February 08, 2015, 11:05:11 PM

It needs a copilot?

....and I have no idea about bases. Explain or linky please so I can heducate me-self!

vobler · February 09, 2015, 07:01:56 AM

Quote from: TeaLeaf;394897It needs a copilot?

....and I have no idea about bases. Explain or linky please so I can heducate me-self!

Yes, a copilot or Addtl Crew as it is labeled here (example B1900D for sale): http://www.fseconomy.net:81/aircraftlog.jsp?id=3594
I think it is just a matter of paying her wages. :-)

Here is some FBO info (the manual):
https://sites.google.com/site/fseoperationsguide/fbos/creating-buying-selling-fbos

Edit:
FBO Operations
https://sites.google.com/site/fseoperationsguide/fbos/fbo-operations

sulky_uk · February 09, 2015, 07:02:22 AM

basically if it is 2 man crewed you will also need to hire a virtual co pilot

TeaLeaf · February 09, 2015, 08:09:03 AM

Ah ok, I did not know that, I assumed it was like the solo pilot A380 goodness of the rest of FSX! In which case, I'll chane my mind and drop down to a single pilot plane as my preferred. If the King 350 works and has more capacity than the Caravan, why not stick with the 350?

vobler · February 09, 2015, 09:17:43 AM

Yes,
The 350 might be a good alternative, as it is fast, is in the default FSX and handles 14 passengers.
A virtual money machine! :-)

Sparko · February 09, 2015, 09:19:51 AM

Id be happy with having a 350, will check for some prices later on tonight to see what we need

TeaLeaf · February 09, 2015, 11:17:25 AM

Quote from: Sparko;394908Id be happy with having a 350, will check for some prices later on tonight to see what we need

They're about $950k - $1.05m, depending on where you buy and how many hours on the airframe. For example:

Spain........$939,000 - 587hrs
Kansas......$948,000 - 243hrs
Idaho........$950,000 - 486hrs
Australia....$955,000 - 151hrs

Personally I reckon it might be fun to run one back from wherever, picking up jobs along the way.

Still looking at FBOs and I'm not massively convinced they do anything for us, they are certainly an overhead though that needs constant upkeep. Someone enlighten me please!

vobler · February 09, 2015, 11:50:58 AM

Quote from: TeaLeaf;394920Still looking at FBOs and I'm not massively convinced they do anything for us, they are certainly an overhead though that needs constant upkeep.
Someone enlighten me please!

I can't enlighten you, but my idea is something like this:

Yes, they do need upkeep. But that is our job. Not knowing how it all works, I can only speculate, but lets say we had a spot (or two) somewhere in Northern Europe.
We had repair shop. Had a gate, sold fuel, supplies etc.
When our planes needed 100hrs service or needed other maintenance, we went there to let our shop do it. Maybe we could get a discount?
We sometime fly in cheap fuel from the mideast or africa to maximize profit.
And we fly in supplies on a regular basis. We take extra care of our own passengers, making sure they gets a seat first.
I do not know how all this works, but what I have understood is that this could give us more to work for together.
There is of course no reason not to do this with a Dead Men plane or two. I just think the main focus should be on FBO's.

What I am afraid of is that it all goes in to a race for bigger and faster planes as our account gets bigger and bigger. I'd rather fly in supplies to our base in

in a Cessna 172 than race around trying to find 50 pax for my next flight so I can buy the next big thing.

But this is only my humble opinion.

Edit:
List of FBO's for sale
http://www.fseconomy.net:81/marketfbo.jsp

sulky_uk · February 09, 2015, 12:06:41 PM

there are 3 gates open for rent in the uk, if you use the fbo maps and tick ates for rent...does that mean we can start a fbo...im all up for starting a hub..if you look at the fbos for sale they go all the way up to 12mil, then the last one is 1 billion, really?

Sparko · February 09, 2015, 12:44:44 PM

Personally I'd prefer us to get a few planes available within the group before we look at FBO's. Without having any aircraft I can't understand what we would use the FBO's for? Unless I'm missing something.

I have no issues with us a some point getting a few FBO's but I dont think at this early time it would be the more beneficial option (also without knowing fully what owning one will entail)

Ideally it would be nice to have a mixture of different size aircraft so that every person in the group will have the opportunity to fly their preferred aircraft.

It's early days yet but I really do think our first priority should be owning our own aircraft, after all one of our largest overheads is rental costs.