CMA to get Dornier 328's
Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, North Shore
Ok this is just a fealing im getting.
have you noticed it seams everywere you look in the industry smaller airlines are upgrading equipment like this rumored 328 at CMA, Sunwest with Dash 8's. Skyward 1900. Ive even heard something about the Bear. as well Even Canjet getting newer 737-500. from what ive heared that after 911 you can get a "newer" equipt for cheaper than normal. Im just looking forward to EFIS no more steam gauges. anyone else get that vibe
Thats just my opinion i could be wrong
have you noticed it seams everywere you look in the industry smaller airlines are upgrading equipment like this rumored 328 at CMA, Sunwest with Dash 8's. Skyward 1900. Ive even heard something about the Bear. as well Even Canjet getting newer 737-500. from what ive heared that after 911 you can get a "newer" equipt for cheaper than normal. Im just looking forward to EFIS no more steam gauges. anyone else get that vibe
Thats just my opinion i could be wrong
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My concern is tech support and parts. Admittedly I am on the outside of this whole deal.
Fairchild-Dornier declared bankruptcy 3 years ago and was sold off in pieces to 3 different companies. M7 in Texas now provides support for the 328...an aircraft that was not that popular to begin with because of its very high acquisition cost compared to other 30-36 seat machines (ie. Saab 340, Embraer 120, and Dash-8). Agreed that this playing field has been somewhat levelled due to the collapse in the used aircraft market and super low (nonexistent) interest rates.
Yes its about 30-50 kts faster than any of those machines, but it is also the most expensive to buy (what if rates go up?), least popular machine and it was manufactured by a company that is no longer in business.
When manufacturer tech support is viewed from the perspective of being a company's ongoing advertising department (ie. good service encourages you to buy more aircraft from them), M7 does not have that incentive whereas Saab, Embraer, and Bombardier would. Furthermore, there is no alternative/competition to drive them. It is a service monopoly.
I will agree though that if that potential (very big) headache has been dealt with the Do328 is the superior machine. But as we all know the "best" doesn't necessarily always translate to "smartest choice". Thoughts anyone?
Fairchild-Dornier declared bankruptcy 3 years ago and was sold off in pieces to 3 different companies. M7 in Texas now provides support for the 328...an aircraft that was not that popular to begin with because of its very high acquisition cost compared to other 30-36 seat machines (ie. Saab 340, Embraer 120, and Dash-8). Agreed that this playing field has been somewhat levelled due to the collapse in the used aircraft market and super low (nonexistent) interest rates.
Yes its about 30-50 kts faster than any of those machines, but it is also the most expensive to buy (what if rates go up?), least popular machine and it was manufactured by a company that is no longer in business.
When manufacturer tech support is viewed from the perspective of being a company's ongoing advertising department (ie. good service encourages you to buy more aircraft from them), M7 does not have that incentive whereas Saab, Embraer, and Bombardier would. Furthermore, there is no alternative/competition to drive them. It is a service monopoly.
I will agree though that if that potential (very big) headache has been dealt with the Do328 is the superior machine. But as we all know the "best" doesn't necessarily always translate to "smartest choice". Thoughts anyone?
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I could be wrong, but my understanding of the breakup of Fairchild-Dornier is that Avcraft now owns the type certs of the 328 and 328JET and are restarting the production line for the 328JET. They are in the process of selling off the remaining surplus whitetails. M7 has also sold Avcraft the tooling etc for producing the wing, which was fomerly manufactured in San Antonio. M7 is supporting the existing fleet of former Fairchild products, i.e. Metros etc.
In this case, Avcraft is supporting the 328 fleet and would have significant interest in maintaining customer satisfaction in order to have airlines upgrade to the 328JET, or at least as much incentive as Embraer, whose turboprops are also no longer in production.
Incidentally, Saab turbroprops are no longer in production either, so their incentive for new sales would only be if the airlines are looking to upgrade to fighters.
In this case, Avcraft is supporting the 328 fleet and would have significant interest in maintaining customer satisfaction in order to have airlines upgrade to the 328JET, or at least as much incentive as Embraer, whose turboprops are also no longer in production.
Incidentally, Saab turbroprops are no longer in production either, so their incentive for new sales would only be if the airlines are looking to upgrade to fighters.
I got the M7 stuff wrong, thanks.
I know that Saab and Embraer no longer make turboprops but at least they're still making something (well OK my argument doesn't hold water for Saab...).
Embraer with the jets and Bombardier with both props and jets. I guess my point was that Dornier is no longer making anything, not even debt!
Perhaps this is not as big a deal as I would have thought.
I know that Saab and Embraer no longer make turboprops but at least they're still making something (well OK my argument doesn't hold water for Saab...).
Embraer with the jets and Bombardier with both props and jets. I guess my point was that Dornier is no longer making anything, not even debt!
Perhaps this is not as big a deal as I would have thought.