Era Alaska (the operator featured in "Flying Wild Alaska") grounded planes this weekend to upgrade the cockpit voice recorder common to its entire fleet. The upgrade was prompted when an FAA investigation into a recent 5000-ft altitude loss incident showed cockpit voice recorders didn't meet regulatory standards. (www.adn.com) More...
They way they portrayed the last episode, it looked like a great good bye, and there have not been ANY reruns. Last time I looked on the networks website, there was no reference to it. I sent an email inquiring about this, and have not yet had a reply. I would love for it to come back... Will have to see what happens.
This show will be remembered by A LOT! Amazing show they put on for all of us aviators and non aviators all over the globe! They have done things which I wouldn't do!
The grounding seems to have affected only 12 aircraft, six Bombadier Dash 8s and six Beechcraft 1900s, even though their entire fleet is listed as being larger: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Era_Alaska#Fleet
After the screen comes up, click on your INBOX on the lower left and see if it brings it up. It should just be in the SUBJECT line saying TEST-REPLY IF YOU GET THIS or something to that effect
Jim (and his late brother) founded Hageland Aviation, which is one of three airlines operating as ERA Alaska. As per the article: "Hageland Aviation, a carrier under the Era Alaska umbrella, wasn't affected".
Maybe someone can answer my question: Buffalo bought Lockheed Electras...why not C-130's or civilian version L-100's.. In the beginning the Electra was a very scarey plane.they did get the "whirlmode" problem corrected so they would not fall out of the sky..but trying to load cargo looks like a pain. As the Air force updates to C130J's the old H models should become available. the electra and 130 both use versions of the T56 and Hamilton Standard Prop..ease of cargo loading on a 130 is great...great aircraft to work on too!! I was stationed at Edwards in 1965~66...my first assigned acft was HC-130H 64-14855..when I looked it up ...it is located at Patrick AFB, Florida..it is old and I am old but.. my AFSC was 43151F..fond memories by the way the other HC-130H was 64-14856..it is in the Pacific off the Calif. coast..sad
Something like that is probably better posted in the "Discussions" forum if you want more people to read it since these replies are supposed to be about the news article.
Yeah, it was sad to see the show go, but I can understand their reasons. I wish Jim a good life of retirement. He's earned it!
Emmitt, Buffalo bought Electras because they are available. There are currently no L-100's available for purchase and the C-130's have been embargoed by the FAA after the wing box issues. The ones that are in civilian hands will get scrapped when their current operators are done with them. This is the biggest problem with the C-130, the fleet has a major wing box issue and the few civilian airplanes are rapidly running out of life. The Electras have had an "easier" life. Additionally, they're faster which is better for the long ranges that Buffalo has to operate over at times. The planes have had a spotless mechanical history since the problems with the prop harmonics were fixed over 40 years ago, so they're no more "dangerous" than any other planes. At one time they had looked at getting CV-580s to compliment the L-188s and that may still be in the works. Would be nice since both use the same basic engine and prop.
It could be the noise. While they mostly do cargo, there are some pax on there. I remember the 1st thing the loadie or somebody handed to you on a 130 was a pair of earplugs.lol Plus, they went to those Electras about a year ago. Were surplus H models already out there?
I am thinking yes, but E models and L100 for sure...but they may still be more expensive than the electra..just not sure..1964 is a long time ago..huh..
Yeah it was. I was just a kid out in SW OK in the 60's when those things started flying and still remember the pictures of Tom Braniff's babies scattered out across West Texas. Most happened in a Bad Tstorm and no survivors and that is one reason it took so long to get at the problem. Once the problem was located and fixed, you were hard pressed to find a better airplane but the damage was already done. Jets didn't help any either.lol
