QantasLink announces Classic Dash-8 retirement, additional Dash-8-400 orders

[Robert.M]

Rex do have some King Airs they could use (though under Pel-Air) soon to be retired from aeromedical (ex Air Ambulance).

[Greg Hyde]

The link I posted previously doesn't work so:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...Part%25206.pdf

Page 15, shows the what the potential operators had to say, most of which hasn't changed since the report was published.

If nobody wants to take it up then government maybe forced to lease a couple of ATR's get someone to operate them. (Heavylift may be an option)

[Bob C]

My sister in law flew by Sandringham flying boat from Rose Bay to Lord Howe Island in 1972, several years before the runway was built.

There are still Albatross and Mallard flying boats operating around the world and Paspaley flies Mallards out of Darwin to various Pearl farms so if all else fails - ha ha !!!!!!!

[Greg Hyde]

Originally Posted by Bob C

My sister in law flew by Sandringham flying boat from Rose Bay to Lord Howe Island in 1972, several years before the runway was built.

There are still Albatross and Mallard flying boats operating around the world and Paspaley flies Mallards out of Darwin to various Pearl farms so if all else fails - ha ha !!!!!!!

I know where those "boats" are we need them again.

Also, "The Ships that Flew" is a great doco on Flying Boat ops

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQYGqt3x9s8

[Kent Broadhead]

Originally Posted by Greg Hyde

T
Page 15, shows the what the potential operators had to say, most of which hasn't changed since the report was published.

Mind you, REX had entered into an agreement with ATR in 2020 as the world went crazy. I wonder what their turboprop fleet plans are now and, if ATR is still in the mix, they may operate 42s or 42S?

[MarkR]

Originally Posted by Greg Hyde

If nobody wants to take it up then government maybe forced to lease a couple of ATR's get someone to operate them. (Heavylift may be an option)

Given the uncertified stol version has a 200nm range off a 800m runway we won’t be seeing any ATRs at Lord Howe in its present state.

[Lauren J]

I see WestJet have parked quite a lot of Dash-8-400s for over a year now. Could these be the future QantasLink frames?

[Ayden H]

Possibly, although Encore hasn't announced any plans to retire the aircraft.

[MarkR]

Originally Posted by Ayden H

Possibly, although Encore hasn't announced any plans to retire the aircraft.

They are getting westjet aircraft that are surplus to requirements when Westjet shut down eastern Canada operations

[Ayden H]

Remember when Alex Praglowski flew across Canada on just Dashies? Guess that might no longer be possible given that the only Dash service between Eastern and Western Canada was flown by Encore.