Purdue fleet

[Kestrel452]

So what are the Warriors getting replaced with and when?

[etflies]

Last I heard it would be Cessna 172s, in the next couple of years but I believe PU is still in the market.

[Jason]

Due to business sensitivity issues, I can't tell how I know but I would look for that change to happen in alot less than a couple of years. It may very well end up being Cessnas but that hasn't been decided yet - I believe the RFP is still out.

I'll in Lafayette on Friday for the big building dedication!

[GUNIT]

Diamond wants the contract as well. I'd be surprised if Cessna didn't get it. I'm betting it's largely dependent on which brand maintenance is more comfortable with.

[Kestrel452]

If Purdue goes Diamond, they can say goodbye to me training with them. I'll just stick with the FBO if that happens.

[Gonzo]

Why? Diamond makes a good plane.

[GUNIT]

^Agreed. The DA20 was one of the most fun airplanes I've flown.

[etflies]

I agree, the Diamond is a good airplane. Although, since I instruct at the FBO...c'mon over! Be happy to have you!

[Jason]

Looks like Cirrus is (gonna' be) the winner......

[SteveC]

Our Phenom 100 was down there on Friday. Did you guys get a look at it?

[etflies]

I checked it out, I was hoping to see the cockpit lit up though. Watched you guys depart from the tower, looks like a fun jet to fly. How did you get to fly it?

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by etflies

I checked it out, I was hoping to see the cockpit lit up though. Watched you guys depart from the tower, looks like a fun jet to fly. How did you get to fly it?

I'm not flying that plane myself. Our company manages it for the owner, and it is now on our 135 charter certificate. The guy I've been flying with the last couple of days just finished his checkride in the Phenom with the National Resource guy from the Feds and was one of the pilots that brought the plane down to Lafayette last week.

[etflies]

Originally Posted by SteveC

I'm not flying that plane myself. Our company manages it for the owner, and it is now on our 135 charter certificate. The guy I've been flying with the last couple of days just finished his checkride in the Phenom with the National Resource guy from the Feds and was one of the pilots that brought the plane down to Lafayette last week.

Very cool, it looks like a nice jet. I noticed it had a name too, not too many biz jets that I've seen with a name!

[Jason]

The Phenom looks like a great jet..... I don't think that Purdue is going to be happy with it (doesn't even come close to meeting their mission requirements) but the few people that I've talked to that have flown it really like it.

jec

[Kestrel452]

Originally Posted by etflies

I agree, the Diamond is a good airplane. Although, since I instruct at the FBO...c'mon over! Be happy to have you!

I already train there.

[etflies]

Let me take my foot out of my mouth, and say welcome, then!

[Torch1930]

http://boilerstation.jconline.com/ar...42/1122/boiler

The planes to be purchased are: one Embraer Phenom 100 jet, two Cirrus SR-22G3 single engine planes, and 14 Cirrus SR-20G3 single engine planes.

[OneToGo]

Originally Posted by Jason

I don't think that Purdue is going to be happy with it (doesn't even come close to meeting their mission requirements)

jec

Agreed. I've spoken to a few "select" faculty members who are very unhappy about the replacement. Also lots of negative talk from full time instructors about the SR20's. As if our private students don't have enough issues as it is in the rinky-dink warriors.. (staff likes to push instructors to solo students ASAP) I can't even imagine what it will be like with the Cirrus. Thank goodness I'll be gone!!

[etflies]

Well, that ought to make their checkouts in our airplanes a lot more interesting.

[SteveC]

Just curious, what airplane is being replaced with the Phenom? What is the typical mission profile?

(Just to clarify, I don't have a dog in this fight. Our aircraft was @ LAF under contract from Phenom - we don't benefit either way by the decision made by Purdue. Just asking out of curiosity.)

[GUNIT]

Beechjet 400A & 2 Kingair B200's. IAD is a typical destination. OnetoGo can give a better picture of usual ops with them.

[Torch1930]

It's my understanding the King Airs are being replaced by the Phenom and the Beechjet is staying since it's owned by the Purdue Research Foundation.

[SteveC]

Interesting comparison from the KA200 to the Phenom I'd think. The Phenom should be a tad faster and a lot easier on fuel, but won't have near the payload. If the typical load is just a couple of pax then the Phenom would probably make sense. Not so much if there are 6 people...

[Torch1930]

Not to mention you have to crawl to move around in the thing. It was pretty cool though.

[OneToGo]

Originally Posted by Torch1930

It's my understanding the King Airs are being replaced by the Phenom and the Beechjet is staying since it's owned by the Purdue Research Foundation.

Beechjet is not staying. In fact, it will likely be the first to go. It is losing value at the fastest rate. Also, there has been talk of keeping one BE20. Once the Phenom arrives, bye-bye Beechjet. Not that it really flies more than once a week anyway... Once the Phenom is delivered, PRF will take ownership of it. All three currently owned turbine airplanes will be gone. Typical BE20 destinations are much closer than GUNIT advertises. More in the 200-300nm range. Stuff like ORD, FWA, MDW are the most frequent flights. IAD flights only happen a few times per semester. Either way, this corporate travel stuff is pretty much going away completely. While the Phenom is being touted as taking this role, in reality it will not. Access to the jet will be extremely limited compared to what it is now for the turbine aircraft. My guess it will be restricted to the President's use and her staff ONLY. Current airplanes are used by the Dean's, athletic people, etc.