Aircraft choice for Islands Network

Hi,

Playing S2 based in New Zealand. Looking to build up a network to Pacific Islands but struggling to pick the right aircraft.

In principle I want something small, these routes have small flows and I'm looking for 10-20 flights per week.

I've got a fleet of ATRs, but even with the (non realistic?) range of the 600 series I cant get to half of the various Islands.

What I really need is something with 2000-2500m range and approx 50-75 seats.

As it stands, it feels the only option is to go to A319/B737/CS/Emb 170+ sized aircraft but that inevitably means frequency is much less.

any suggestions?

I don't know what year you're in but the AN-72 might be ideal for you. You can get them delivered from 1985 and later. It meets your range and size needs. It also has very good short runway capabilities like a turboprop but is only a bit slower than most regional jets. They aren't that thirsty nor are they very expensive to buy or lease.

I would use the An 72 as a last resort because of the high fuel flow versus its low capacity. I think the dhc-7 is a good choice for island hops but it doesn't have as much range as you want.

Hi, cheers - playing in S2, so 1990-2020 timeframe. Currently 2010.

Looking at AN72 which may fit the bill, it's fuel doesn't seem too bad if you compare say the BAe 146 / RJ family, ok not so great vs. later CRJ/ERJ types but it does offer range/runway.

It's actual capacity at 58 pax does decrease it's efficiency however.

ERJ145 is an alternative although 500m short on range. Problem is just no turbo-prop / RJ with 2000m range on the market. Going to a 100 seater (small A32X or B73X) eliminates the frequency.

If it's 2010 definitely go for the ATR-42-600 and ATR-72-600. ~1500mi range with 50-78 pax is pretty good. They also burn very little fuel compared to the An72 and have a field requirement of 3300-4000ft.

Hi, cheers - playing in S2, so 1990-2020 timeframe. Currently 2010.

 

Looking at AN72 which may fit the bill, it's fuel doesn't seem too bad if you compare say the BAe 146 / RJ family, ok not so great vs. later CRJ/ERJ types but it does offer range/runway.

 

It's actual capacity at 58 pax does decrease it's efficiency however.

 

ERJ145 is an alternative although 500m short on range. Problem is just no turbo-prop / RJ with 2000m range on the market. Going to a 100 seater (small A32X or B73X) eliminates the frequency.

How do you mean? The first thing to say is that An-72 is quite small and therefore has terrible fuel efficiency compared to BAe146 series, which is one of the most efficient RJs throughout the game even compared with more modern planes...

(and if you're all about realism, also not realistic because I've never found a scheduled pax service with An-72, I'm not sure why it's in the game)

If you need over 2000 mi and you're in the age after 2010, SSJ is by far the best solution. I loved it when I played in Africa... And ATR -600 for shorter routes, I agree, but I see you already have them, good choice.

If SSJ is too big for you, well, there's nothing smaller that flies that far, that's it...

(Someone talked about AR versions of smaller EMBs, but I don't know enough about that and they're not in game.)

Reference, AN72 vs BAE RJ70, not sure of the difference?

Pax, 58 vs 70 (94 in game!)

Fuel, 10000 vs. 11000

Speed virtually the same, range better for AN72 and field length.

So yes, in any equation, since I use (Pax times Speed) / Fuel   , then the RJ is better, but not by far. Granted that is accounting for real passenger capacity!

ATRs are great, but if you need more like 2000m then as you say - that's it.

SSJ looks ok actually, but just too big, want more at the 50 seat range to get the higher frequency.

Reference, AN72 vs BAE RJ70, not sure of the difference?

Pax, 58 vs 70 (94 in game!)

Fuel, 10000 vs. 11000

Speed virtually the same, range better for AN72 and field length.

So yes, in any equation, since I use (Pax times Speed) / Fuel   , then the RJ is better, but not by far. Granted that is accounting for real passenger capacity!

ATRs are great, but if you need more like 2000m then as you say - that's it.

SSJ looks ok actually, but just too big, want more at the 50 seat range to get the higher frequency.

Ultimately gone for some AN72s, will see how it goes - it's always fun to try something!

I'd usually use ATRs for that type of airline at first to build a solid budget, and expand onto bigger aircraft as the game progresses.

Good luck with the airline, by the way!

Cessna 208 caravans

Having tried it, ATR 72/42s for medium flows, Caravans for the small flows and then a fleet of AN72s for stuff the ATRs can't reach. Well, next time I think I'd just have a A319 or equivalent (100 seater) perhaps with a very low seating (perhaps simulate a passenger - freight combo or something!) The AN is quite niche in that it still doesn't give small narrowbody range so those are still needed and in a real airline I think commonality of types for engineering, logistics and aircrew would be the most important factor.

ATR is a good platform for building an airline. Not sure on the Caravans, I think the sheer numbers of staff and gates they use up eats a lot of cash but is kind of hidden from the a/c costs so not sure they really add much value. Of course, they do permit an "air taxi" style operation.

Well, next time I think I'd just have a A319 or equivalent (100 seater) perhaps with a very low seating (perhaps simulate a passenger - freight combo or something!) 

When freight is modelled in AE4, I hope consideration is taken for increased freight demands for remote communities.  Flying routes like that with combi airplanes will be great.  It's quite common in the northern parts of my home country (Canada).

You could simulate it now by just reducing the amount of seats, but you'd be hard pressed to make much money on the route (unless you created a custom scam IFS for those routes to simulate the profits from freight I suppose).