What's the best Regional bird you've flown?
12-14-2012, 02:08 PM
#31
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,342
Only flown two, but here are my thoughts.
Q400:
Everything is big and feels like you are operating a heavy piece of farm equipment. Lots of heavy chunky buttons that have satisfying detents that make it feel like you are doing something important. The engines put out a ton of power and the thing climbs well. It has enough technology to make your job easier, but you can also turn off the AP and FD and take a slam-dunk approach. I always felt like the aircraft pitched awkwardly due to it being stretched too many times. This also made it a pain to land.
ERJ-145:
Small and slow (for a jet). The cockpit is much smaller but in a good way. I don't have to take my shoulder harness off to move the gear and all the buttons and dials are easy to move. The plane has enough automation and I actually like not having VNAV. The handling characteristics are great compared to the Q400. It is also really forgiving to land. It holds speed well on approach and it is always nice knowing the trailing link gear will help you out if you have a brain fart over the runway.
The verdict:
The Q400 was satisfying the push buttons, throw levers, and make noise, but the ERJ-145 was designed to be the size it is so its layout and flight characteristics are superior. Also, I prefer the uninterrupted climbs and descents ATC gives jets versus the stop and go climb and zigzag vectors ATC gives props.
Q400:
Everything is big and feels like you are operating a heavy piece of farm equipment. Lots of heavy chunky buttons that have satisfying detents that make it feel like you are doing something important. The engines put out a ton of power and the thing climbs well. It has enough technology to make your job easier, but you can also turn off the AP and FD and take a slam-dunk approach. I always felt like the aircraft pitched awkwardly due to it being stretched too many times. This also made it a pain to land.
ERJ-145:
Small and slow (for a jet). The cockpit is much smaller but in a good way. I don't have to take my shoulder harness off to move the gear and all the buttons and dials are easy to move. The plane has enough automation and I actually like not having VNAV. The handling characteristics are great compared to the Q400. It is also really forgiving to land. It holds speed well on approach and it is always nice knowing the trailing link gear will help you out if you have a brain fart over the runway.
The verdict:
The Q400 was satisfying the push buttons, throw levers, and make noise, but the ERJ-145 was designed to be the size it is so its layout and flight characteristics are superior. Also, I prefer the uninterrupted climbs and descents ATC gives jets versus the stop and go climb and zigzag vectors ATC gives props.
12-14-2012, 07:00 PM
#33
Day puke
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: Out.
Posts: 3,865
The Caravan: handled right she could land on a postage stamp. and Systems? What systems? We don't need no stinking sissytems!
By far the most miserable was the SC.7 Skyvan: ugly, slow, ugly, glycol windshield de/anti ice, ugly, noisy, ugly, overwing fueling, ugly, garrets, and dang ugly.
By far the most miserable was the SC.7 Skyvan: ugly, slow, ugly, glycol windshield de/anti ice, ugly, noisy, ugly, overwing fueling, ugly, garrets, and dang ugly.
12-14-2012, 07:30 PM
#34
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2009
Posts: 2,035
12-14-2012, 07:34 PM
#35
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2009
Posts: 2,035
The Caravan: handled right she could land on a postage stamp. and Systems? What systems? We don't need no stinking sissytems!
By far the most miserable was the SC.7 Skyvan: ugly, slow, ugly, glycol windshield de/anti ice, ugly, noisy, ugly, overwing fueling, ugly, garrets, and dang ugly.
By far the most miserable was the SC.7 Skyvan: ugly, slow, ugly, glycol windshield de/anti ice, ugly, noisy, ugly, overwing fueling, ugly, garrets, and dang ugly.
Garrets rocked on the SA-226 and SA-227!
:'(
12-14-2012, 10:10 PM
#37
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: KCCO
Posts: 767
I've only flown a couple but I like the Saab. Easy and fun, nothing too fancy but it made you work for a good landing. Held a ton of ice, built like a tank and you always knew it'd bring you home. Probably with something MEL'd, but it would get you there.
12-15-2012, 12:14 AM
#39
Banned
Joined APC: Dec 2010
Position: South Paw
Posts: 630
Beech 1900D model. No autopilot, radar won't pick anything up unless 20 miles away or severe storms, power out the arse, green needles only, will hold enough ice to fill a swimming pool and will make you the best damn pilot that you will never be again.
CRJ-2/7/9>EMB-145>BE-1900D>DA8-2/3
CRJ-2/7/9>EMB-145>BE-1900D>DA8-2/3
Last edited by skillett; 12-15-2012 at 12:25 AM. Reason: not done
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