tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post6655357768591183958..comments2024-03-28T16:03:02.583-05:00Comments on Bayou Renaissance Man: An interesting aviation challengePeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-56063330643050329542016-03-29T05:38:30.553-05:002016-03-29T05:38:30.553-05:00@Quentin: No, the C-130 would be far too big, com...@Quentin: No, the C-130 would be far too big, complex and expensive to deploy in such a situation. After 10-15 years experience with other, smaller planes, perhaps.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-4364399101934197462016-03-29T04:58:45.540-05:002016-03-29T04:58:45.540-05:00No love for the Hercules?No love for the Hercules?Quentinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-15010212990676057362016-03-28T02:11:09.779-05:002016-03-28T02:11:09.779-05:00that would be a good argument to use aircraft that...that would be a good argument to use aircraft that are designed to be repaired with only using a hammer and a a pair of pliers as a tool .. like the An-2 8)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-35806474768415726382016-03-27T22:41:25.094-05:002016-03-27T22:41:25.094-05:00I don't think the choice of airplane is as imp...I don't think the choice of airplane is as important as having a way to assemble and maintain a competent crew of people to operate and maintain the aircraft. And the finances to purchase spare parts. And an administration that can maintain the funding for such an operation. I suppose there are good examples somewhere, but it seems that Africa has seen numerous schemes where Western machinery was imported with great fanfare and a few years later it is abandoned where it broke down. If you can't maintain such an operation, you are better off not even starting it.Chuck Pergielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473338620167201696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-73050262949304758482016-03-27T10:30:20.132-05:002016-03-27T10:30:20.132-05:00for the light transport role - AN-2 ?
its the pro...for the light transport role - AN-2 ?<br /><br />its the proverbial flying russian tractor, STOL-capable, with a 1 ton payload, indestructable <br /><br />should be availalble used cheaply - if you want new ones, afaik they are still being built in china ... if you want or need to look ideologivally balanced you might even get them for free from china or russia<br /><br />two disadvantages: usdes AVGAS and is not as fast as the other small transports .. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-44394989873723663892016-03-26T16:41:55.980-05:002016-03-26T16:41:55.980-05:00To echo the first comment, avoid anything that use...To echo the first comment, avoid anything that uses Avgas. We've had to import it from Poland, of all places, because the stuff available locally is rubbish.<br />Our mission is now switching from the Cessna 206 into Kodiaks- we're pretty much done with piston engines.<br /><br />For larger cargoes, MAF PNG is running Twin Otters with pretty good success. <br /><br />One of the commercial flight companies runs some Russian choppers: MI-8s and KA-2s. The boss said that they're great... if you can get them to run. Most of their business was done with Longrangers and Kawasakis.<br />Joe in PNGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-7069235624254080372016-03-26T16:36:13.114-05:002016-03-26T16:36:13.114-05:00I have a soft spot for the Twin Otter (DHC-6).
Spe...I have a soft spot for the Twin Otter (DHC-6).<br />Spent a fair amount in them up in the sub artic regions of Canada.<br /><br />GerryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-57673406623064338992016-03-26T09:57:27.293-05:002016-03-26T09:57:27.293-05:00Simplicity is the most important consideration in ...Simplicity is the most important consideration in primitive applications. I think you've made good choices in that regard.Quartermasternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-91799075402135344312016-03-26T03:43:31.575-05:002016-03-26T03:43:31.575-05:00From a parts and trained personnel standpoint, I&#...From a parts and trained personnel standpoint, I'd look first at whatever was supplied to Soviet client regimes over there, as sparest will be everywhere.RustyGunnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07607539523531544524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-11709777056987178022016-03-26T02:53:09.162-05:002016-03-26T02:53:09.162-05:00I don’t know much about the Zenair…pretty much not...I don’t know much about the Zenair…pretty much nothing in fact. Thinking back on other basic aircraft and trainers I’ve flown…pretty much any of them, really for the training and small transport role. Training is going to be a HUGE hurdle, especially for the pilots, but also for maintainers. The education systems in these countries are pretty much nothing but rote memorization with no problem solving, or logic taught. So in addition to teaching the basics of maintenance and flying you’ll have to teach troubleshooting, logic, and problem solving. Not impossible, but not easy, either.<br /><br />For the region you're talking about, the Caravan over the Pilatus and Kodiak, hands down. This is where I fly right now....and there are very very few airstrips that the Caravan cannot get safely into and back out of. The Pilatus and Kodiak are great planes, but the Caravan is less expensive to operate and the extra STOL capability the PC-6 and Kodiak bring are just not needed. I would suggest modding the caravan with aero-acoustics payload increase, bringing the max weight up to 4126kg (ramp). The Blackhawk mod for more power is also good (definite takeoff and climb improvement and somewhat better cruise speed) or when the STC is finally approved, better yet, the mod for the PT6-140 (same engine as on the caravan ex). I’d not suggest the texas turbine mod since there’s no provision in it for an inertial separator, which in this environment puts the engine at significant FOD risk on unimproved airstrips. <br /><br />I wouldn’t look at the PC-12 unless you’re needing speed. It carries about the same payload as the Caravan, but a lot faster. It is, however, not as good on rough airfields. The long throw from nose wheel forward to prop makes it much more susceptible to rough field induced (i.e. pot holes and the like) prop strikes. It’s also a more complex aircraft by far than the caravan, (retractable gear, pressurized) and thus greater maintenance requirements. <br /><br />So a lot of “wouldn’ts.” I WOULD go with the Cessna grand caravan, with the aero acoustics gross weight kit, and maybe an engine upgrade. (I’ve flown both the standard -114A powerplant and the -42 blackhawk).<br />Brother Pilotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-13126180936428966642016-03-26T01:22:53.471-05:002016-03-26T01:22:53.471-05:00Okay... is it just me or does the zenair ST-801 HD...Okay... is it just me or does the zenair ST-801 HD read like an ad targeted towards coke smugglers?Hideousdwarfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12263002476207555653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-64691308230164947872016-03-26T01:18:41.231-05:002016-03-26T01:18:41.231-05:00The only suggestions I can add to the list would b...The only suggestions I can add to the list would be the AS350 Eurocopter and if budget wasn't a concern, the Sikorsky S61 for heavier lift as needed. You and William have listed everything else. Grognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-55507568462026967032016-03-26T00:38:15.155-05:002016-03-26T00:38:15.155-05:00I'd say did pretty good job with your suggesti...I'd say did pretty good job with your suggestions,Something like the Maule MX-7/9 would also work at the light end, comes in several HP variants and tricycle or taildragger. Already in use by the Air Force of Honduras and the Civil Air Patrol here. <br /><br />The next level, the Pilatus PC-12NG could be considered,. According to reports AFSOC is using them in Africa. Similar to the PC-12NG is the Pacific Aerospace P-750 XSTOL, 10 passenger or 4000lbs cago. It also is in use in Africa<br /><br />Just want to avoid any aircraft that uses AvGas. Interestingly, IIRC, the Quest Kodiak was designed to replace Beavers and other aircraft flying for missionaries in the African bush, because AvGas was getting hard to obtain.<br /><br />THe nice thing about the Caravan, PC-12NG, and Kodiak is that, you can add ISR abilities to them.<br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11173375027548664602noreply@blogger.com