atpwannabe

Does anyone have any info on any American companies that fly the Saab-2000? One of my fellow co-workers is from Croatia and rated as a PP. We got to talking and he mentioned that the 2000 was a very reliable a/c. Just curious.

Any info would be great.



atp

Ewfflyer

Airliners.net had this to say about the Saab 2000

Lack of sales and profitability forced Saab to cease 340 and 2000 production, with the lines winding up in 1998. The last 2000 was delivered to Crossair in April 1999.


In 2000, 54 were in airline service with three used as corporate transports


From what I can tell, they are only used in Europe as a regional. Hendricks Motorsports does own/use two for Corporate shuttle use.

Andrew_VT

What a shame too. If I remember correctly they cruised at 350 ktas (compared to the 275 for the sf340) and would make a perfect 50 seat RJ replacement with high oil prices.

I'd be very interested to know the comparable fuel burns over a given route.

III Corps

The 2000 was a follow on to the Saab 340 but it was much like the Lockheed Electra in that it got caught in the transition period between fast turboprops and RJs. The airplane was in fact much more advanced than many of the RJs but the public didn't want to see those swingy things in the air.. they assumed that swingy things were throw backs when in fact, the 2000 was fast, economical, could haul a load and had numerous advances including anti-noise or active noise where you analyze the noise and create the same wave but 180 out of phase.

SAAB used multiple Cray computers to study noise and how it was transmitted both airborne and structure borne. The props were shaped by studies and the engines were located after CRAY computers showed noise paths. BUT.. SAAB ran into problems with feel...control feel. The control feel changed significantly with configuration and speed. So while they were much ahead of everyone else initially, they fell behind and were overtaken by the RJs while the solved their problems.

First was a MECs which wa a Mechanical Elevator Control system which was replaced by a PECs which was a Powered Elevator Control. By the time they got it sorted out, the RJs had passed them by and everyone wanted JETS although the JETS could carry people and fuel, bags and fuel, people and bags but NOT people, bags AND fuel. SAAB decided to fold the tent unfortunately.

One thing... never drink with the Swedes. They will have you blind in an hour with all their toasts and good will... but they can build airplanes. Although they are not a front line show, their Tunan was a good machine followed by the radical Draken and then the Viggen and now the Gripen.. a very nice little machine that can operate essentially off your country road.

bertramcheeks22

Joe Gibbs racing

ce650

I believe general motors had a couple at one time . I know hendrick racing has 3 the last time I saw them

atpwannabe

Great historical and interesting information guys.

It just seems to be beyond me that most regionals are getting rid of their TP a/c. Given the price of oil, albeit its down compared to maybe a couple of weeks ago, these a/c just seem to be more fuel efficient, profitable in terms of cost, and loved by the people that fly'em.

atp

Ewfflyer

It's public perception. If it has props, it's a "Small plane."

Toejam

People loved riding horses, until they started driving cars...

III Corps

The Swedes build one helluva airplane but they just got caught at the wrong time in history with a very good airplane.

I visited the plant in Linkoping a few times and also the facility at Malmo where a robot drilled and inserted the rivets. The assembly at Linkoping was actually a very quiet factory and they knew what they were doing.

Was never able to talk them into letting me fly the Viggen but did get one flight in the SK90 and also the Lansen. The Lansen was a sweet old beast and the flight in the SK90 was low level racing around the Swedish country side.. like going in the front door and out the back door of those red roofed homes. Similar to doing low level in the T-37... have to work hard to screw up.