Beginner Questions..

Okay. I have 2 Beeches and 1 J-31.
I currently run routes from YVR-SEA, YVR-YYC, YVR-OAK.
I am looking to extend my services to slightly longer routes than my current ones.
What would be a good used plane to buy for this purpose?

Given your route structure, I'd reccomend jumping in line for a Q400, it only gets longer. They seem to work for me, but I might also want to try the ATR-42/-72.

i beg to differ on the Q400 line. it is too long and you lose money in the process. there are other planes out there you can use. also keep an eye on the used market because some planes can come up under value and it is a good idea sometimes to pick them off. id say if the line was short enough youd get it the next day then do it.

I'd try and get rid of those ASAP.

Try and get an ATR, Dornier, or a Saab with the cash.

Then try and setup whatever route you have that's your best and go at it.

I'm definitely getting rid of the J-31, it is a POS. 650 or so miles range? Bah.

Wait, would it be a good idea to get a 328? They look, overall, better than the ATR-42-500.

I've had more luck with the 328, but that doesn't mean if the situation is right that the ATR can do just as well. But if given a choice, I'd take the 328.

Try to get rid of that J31 quick. While you can still get away with selling it for $4M or so. If you're not making enough to buy a Saab or Q4, then go with the D328. The speed and number of seats should bring you a little less then double on what your making with current routes. That depends on how much competition there is on the routes though.

YVR-SEA hasn't devolved into SEA-PDX yet, but it will. Which means that the more seats you have on the route, the better off you will be.

Go for the 328..atrs are too slow unless you shoot for the -72 model which holds a good amount of people. The saab line is gettin a lot longer now, bombardier is out of the question and starting off new.....dont bother with airbus and boeing until you've broke like 20mil and have a secure foundation. Embraer is a choice...but they mainly produce jets and they have higher operating costs for similar passenger loads (30-40 range)...and whatever you do...DONT BUY ANY NEW BEECHES! i learned that the hard way....

Some good advice from all.

The ATR42 is great as a J31 replacement where you have short routes, high LF and little competition. The operation cost per seat is higher than the 328, so the economics slide towards the 328 as the game goes along. Also, the 328 has greater range, so you can fly to more cities. but don't expand too quickly, gate costs can eat up a lot of profits.

Replace the j31 with ATR or 328 ASAP. don't bother going larger yet, you can do that soon enough once you have the cash flowing.

Whether to buy on the used market or new depends on delivery. The sooner you have an airframe on line the sooner you can make money off it. Unless I can get a good deal from the used market (less than list) I prefer to buy new. I can increase my DOP while I pay off the debt. But that depends on when I can get the plane. If there is a multimonth wait, it is worth buying used or going to an alternative choice rather than foregoing profits. The Q400 is a great plane but not that much better than an ATR72 or EMB or Saab to be worth missing on 3-4 game months of profits.

Also remember that you aren't stuck with an airframe for the rest of the game. You can trade in and upgrade as you expand. So that ATR42 becomes an ATR72, the 328 becomes an EMB170.

Don't bother with Mainline jets until you get about $1M DOP. Again, the defered profits are not worth it.

A note about ATR42 vs 328. The -42 naturally has higher op costs - it's a larger plane. However, the 328 eats up almost as much fuel as the larger -42.

high density, short-haul, ATR-72s with the current backlogs. Thinner routes with less competition, go with the 328. And as many have stated, planes sitting in backlogs don't make money.

Good Advice Russ

s***. I'm screwed. I sold the J-31, found a great deal on a 328- only 20,000 over value.
Something's wrong. When I try one way YVR-OAK, it says I can get 7 frequencies but I can only get one frequency. With rd trip, I can get 3 frequencies, but it says I can only get one. Is something wrong?
I still have a similar DOP to my older one. What do I do!?

Close the route and try it again. Make sure you are creating the route from the aircraft page and not the research a route or other area.

Just a slight bug...no need to panic

Phew, okay. Thanks..

EDIT: Oh, wait. The fix didn't work!!

What range would a 328 with 4 hours net?
I have 7 slots in OAK and 1 in SEA, so I am wondering if I should buy a gate at SEA, to start a larger OAK-SEA/SEA-OAK route.

s***. I'm screwed. I sold the J-31, found a great deal on a 328- only 20,000 over value.
When I try one way YVR-OAK, it says I can get 7 frequencies but I can only get one frequency. With rd trip, I can get 3 frequencies, but it says I can only get one. Is something wrong?
I still have a similar DOP to my older one. What do I do!?

You can only fly a one-way route with one frequency...

I feel stupid. What about the round trip things??