Cessna Replacement - The Options

[DeV]

Gf
I presume you mean not used for initial flight training.
Regards
Tony K

Or advanced, they are primarily operational aircraft, the only training that would be undertaken in them is type conversion.

[Tony Kearns]

Or advanced, they are primarily operational aircraft, the only training that would be undertaken in them is type conversion.

Yes of course an ops aircraft but You have just used the word training, what about continuation training?
Regards
Tony K

[Goldie fish]

Nope. Only fully trained pilots fly the Cessna. If you have completed your wings course on a high speed tp powered advanced tandem trainer, your conversion to a basic single engine piston powered high wing with tricycle undercarriage should take an hour max.

[Rhodes]

Yes of course an ops aircraft but You have just used the word training, what about continuation training?
Regards
Tony K

Newly commissioned Air Corps pilots do a type conversion course on the Cessna then an operational conversion course.

[Tony Kearns]

So that IS training! I regularly see the Cessnas on circuits and bumps at Baldonnel
Regards
Tony K

[Jetjock]

So that IS training! I regularly see the Cessnas on circuits and bumps at Baldonnel
Regards
Tony K

Splitting hairs Tony. Operational conversion onto an aircraft isn't training and neither is hour building in the circuit(which is what you see).

The fact is that the Cessna is an operational aircraft and not a training aircraft and one of its operational roles is as an experience builder for already fully trained new officers.

[Tempest]

If escorts and other current mission profiles are still going to be flown, the Cessnas are capable of going on for many more years, they don't become "time expired". Perhaps retaining them but adding a couple of larger, more capable aircraft for other mission types (and twin engine training?) is the most cost-effective way to go? Or do the AC want rid of them because they aren't 'sexy' enough?!?

[Jetjock]

Nope. Only fully trained pilots fly the Cessna. If you have completed your wings course on a high speed tp powered advanced tandem trainer, your conversion to a basic single engine piston powered high wing with tricycle undercarriage should take an hour max.

Certainly more than an hour but not any more than 5.

[Jetjock]

If escorts and other current mission profiles are still going to be flown, the Cessnas are capable of going on for many more years, they don't become "time expired".

Certainly they are capable of more years(maybe light use) but after a while it becomes politically important to look at a replacement . Should a circa 45 year old aircraft fall out off the sky for example there would be some repercussions even at a Dail chamber level.

[DeV]

If escorts and other current mission profiles are still going to be flown, the Cessnas are capable of going on for many more years, they don't become "time expired". Perhaps retaining them but adding a couple of larger, more capable aircraft for other mission types (and twin engine training?) is the most cost-effective way to go? Or do the AC want rid of them because they aren't 'sexy' enough?!?

As the eldest aircraft, they are the next due for replacement (at 42 years in service next year)

[pym]

Perhaps retaining them but adding a couple of larger, more capable aircraft for other mission types (and twin engine training?) is the most cost-effective way to go? Or do the AC want rid of them because they aren't 'sexy' enough?!?

This is hashed out every time the Air Corps get new aircraft - keep the Allouettes, keep Marchettis & get the new stuff as well!

That's not going to happen - if the DF put that in front of Finance the response would be "Well if you're still planning on flying them, there's clearly no need to replace them. So off you go. We're sure as hell not going to pay for the upkeep of an expanded fleet."

[FMolloy]

Or do the AC want rid of them because they aren't 'sexy' enough?!?

So replacing them with a Caravan or similar would be sexier? I don't think the term can be legitimately applied to light utility aircraft.

[Tony Kearns]

Splitting hairs Tony. Operational conversion onto an aircraft isn't training and neither is hour building in the circuit(which is what you see).

The fact is that the Cessna is an operational aircraft and not a training aircraft and one of its operational roles is as an experience builder for already fully trained new officers.

Splitting hairs Jj, OK.
The first four arrived at Baldonnel 4 October 1972 and went to A Flight AFTS (Schools) , they did not go to Gormansburgh until 19 January 1973 on charge to BFTS. (Schools)
Now, what do they do in Schools? anyone, Gf ?
It's history, and that is what I am interested in.
Regards
Tony K

[hptmurphy]

As the eldest aircraft, they are the next due for replacement

Sure enough but there are older still flying world wide.They don't break themselves, only pilots break them.

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi all,
Believe it or not, JJ, the Don runs it's Cessna pilots thru a formal type conversion course which leads directly to the operational training course. While they are used as "hacks", they are not open to all and sundry to fly and only pilots listed on the Unit establishment routinely fly them. The only exception is when recurrency is carried out, to keep chairborne pilots legal............they shudda had 182s!!

regards
GttC