So when the AS Twin Otter got aerosoft’d (and the SU13 broke the flight director) what would be it’s replacement in the “twin turboprop STOL regional airliner/utility aircraft”? I’m looking for something like it, and analog cockpit is a must have.
My types are:
EMB 110 - very similar aircraft but systems leave a lot to be desired
DC-3 - would work but how long one can fly the Dakota exclusively?
DHC-4 Caribou - similar performance and design solutions, but piston powered and more for military airlift operations (although there were civilian interior options too)
PC-6 - same era and broadly similar mission profile, however it’s smaller and slower
Cessna 208B w/ Blacksquare - seems to be the best fit, although it’s smaller, single engine and more modern (first flight 1980s vs 1965)
How could I forget the BN-2, eventhough I have it in my hangar!? Yes, it fits the region where I fly very often (southeast asia) perfectly, but is still smaller and has worse cruise performance. I think the Shorts will be the best replacement. The 330 is not much newer than the Twotter, and actually similar in size and capacity
10 seats in the bn2 and 140 KTAS cruise vs 17 seats and 180 KTAS in the Twotter. Makes quite the difference when you use economy addons like FSE or OnAir. That is why I am also quite excited for the Shorts. There is practically no decent mid size plane around.
The Twin Otter is 49ft long with a 65ft wingspan and a max takeoff weight of 10,500lbs. That’s for the 100 series, later models are a little longer and have a higher MTOW.
The BN-2 is just under 36ft long, has a wingspan of 49ft, and a MTOW of 6,600lbs.
So yeah, the BN-2 is significantly smaller, and has half the passenger capacity.
What about the ATR’s? A lot bigger, more than double the passengers, but size and range seem to be a priority for you?
What about the PC-12? Very much smaller, half the passengers, but, very similar mission profile as the Twotter; faster and way more range than the Twotter.
The PC-12 has some similarities and is used in the Caribbean for similar flights as the Twotter. More luxurious and faster with less passenger capacity. But both have STOL capability. Landing a PC-12 in Saba will be more of a challenge than the Twotter though
The flight director doesn’t work anymore. The autopilot control panel on the main instrument panel is completely dead and the AP can only be controlled via the KAP140
I actually fly the ATRs too but I like to simulate different branches of aviation and different eras, so I fly almost anything and everywhere, from Bf108 through F28 and Transall to ATRs. And I suffer deeply from the lack of something mid-sized and turbine powered from the 60s or 70#
You could use JayDee’s GTN750 on others. In the PMS GTN750 Utility Menu, there is an Autopilot Panel, complete with everything from HDG to FLC and everything in-between.
The upcoming FSS Tecnam P2012 is looking good for this. I believe the P2012 might be a bit smaller than the DHC-6 and it’s got piston engines, but they’re turbocharged so you can easily operate at the same altitudes, it’s got pretty good STOL capability, and cruises about as fast as the twotter.
Slightly smaller, but close enough is good enough!
“Skydive jump run in a modified King Air A90. This plane was completely stripped from all unnecessary weight and the 550hp engines were swapped with 750hp turboprops giving it enough power to take off heavy from the 2900ft short runway. This 1967 Beechcraft King Air A90 Taurus conversion climbs to 18,000 feet in 7 minutes! Absolute HOT ROD of an airplane. It’s the perfect aircraft for Skydive Space Center, which offers the highest skydives in the world.”
