Monday, December 31, 2018

Wishing the Nation a Wonderful and Safe 2019!



This past year was a great one for us here at Caravan Nation and we are very excited about the changes and upgrades that we will be making to the site in 2019! The site was updated once this year and is in the process again in a couple weeks, making it more mobile device friendly. 

We received an endorsement from Textron Aviation and approval to publish their Cessna Caravan articles and stories. We surpassed 100K followers on Social Media. Our new Service and Parts page will be up within 2 weeks with the page sponsor being Western Aircraft. Visit them for all of your Caravan parts needs. 

Please email us if there is anything that you would like to see added to the site.

Thank you ALL for choosing us as your go to site for ALL THINGS CARAVAN! Let's have a wonderful and safe 2019!



CaravanNation.com

Thursday, November 15, 2018

MagniX Has a Successful Test of Electric Motor for the Caravan


As reported by Flyer:
A US/Australian company has successfully tested a new 350hp electric motor on an ‘Ironbird’ ground test rig.
MagniX is now planning to scale up the power unit to 750hp for use on a Cessna Caravan, replacing the standard Pratt & Whitney PT6 turboprop engine. MagniX is going for an all-electric platform, saying that its 50kg motor produces 5 kilowatts of power per kilogram of weight.
German rival Siemens has produced a similarly powerful unit also putting out 5kw/kg, and is aiming for 10kw/kg within two years.
MagniX was founded nine years ago in Australia and recently moved its headquarters to Redmond, Washington, US. New CEO Roei Ganzarski said MagniX’s motor should cost roughly the same as the Pratt & Whitney PT6, while improving operating costs by 40% to 60% – electricity being cheaper than the Jet A1 fuel that the PT6 burns.
Ganzarski says MagniX’s motor will allow loaded Caravan to fly up to 105 miles, using existing lithium-ion battery technology. That range could increase to 250 miles within a few years as battery technology improves.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Featured Caravan Pilot: Chezka with Air Juan Aviation


Meet our latest Featured Caravan pilot Chezka, a pilot with Air Juan Aviation! Air Juan started as a private charter company in 2012. It is the first Commercial Seaplane operator in the Philippines with bases in Manila, Cebu and Puerto Princesa and flights to 16 different beautiful destinations!

Chezka loves flying and is definitely an inspiration to many female pilots around the world. Read her answers to our questions below.





Name: Chezka
Age: 24
From: Manila, Philippines
Total Time: 850
Company: Air Juan Aviation
Location: Cebu, Philippines
Years flying Caravans: 1+

What do you like most about flying the Caravan? 

I find the Caravan really aviator-friendly. It'll surely be on the list of your favorites once you get the hang of it. AirJuan, for one is an astounding company which caters local flights that provide adventure feels and personalized service. A real fit for an archipelago like the Philippines. Some of our routes are short but sincerely scenic. Truly, flying with AirJuan is a journey itself!! We even fly you to remote destinations which would satisfy your wanderlust!!


What are your career goals?

Right now I'm just really enjoying to fly inter island trips and I really appreciate taking things one step at a time just as how I do not neglect use of checklists in the aircraft lol! Let the wind take its flow and my career would course through it, I suppose.

What is your advice for younger pilots?

For the aspiring pilots out there, strike whilst the iron is hot! Let your passion roar like the engines of an airplane. Turn your energy into productivity and the reward would be all worth it. I'm telling you, it only gets better and the learning process is fun so do not falter, keep your head up and keep inspired!! 


For more information on Air Juan, visit their site airjuan.com


CaravanNation.com your source for All Things Caravan!

Friday, September 7, 2018

Job Post

Pax operation (AOC) with a C208B EX in Southern Germany is looking for commercial pilots in part-time (freelance) or permanent employment. Experience in SP/IR Ops is highly recommended.



Requirements:

  • CPL (A)/IR acc. EASA-FCL
  • Class Rating CessnaSET/IR
  • Minimum 300h IR as PIC
  • 100h IR on type as PIC
First Choice:

  • Fulfilling all the above requirements
Second Choice:

  • Minimum 300h IR as PIC (must have)
  • Single pilot experience
  • Ability to work independently
Please send your CV to info@d-funk.de


CaravanNation.com

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Mission Aviation Fellowship gets new Caravan Seaplane

As reported by AOPA
In an Indonesian province where swampland sits just 200 feet above sea level with numerous rivers running through it, a 30-year-old, 20,000-plus-hour Cessna Caravan on Wipline 8000 floats has faithfully delivered supplies; transported medical, ministry, and government staff; and served other critical needs. 
The Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) floatplane is the only one for thousands of miles, creating high demand, but it's worn out.
A brand-new Cessna Caravan with Wipline 8750 amphibious floats will soon head to Indonesia to be put in service with Mission Aviation Fellowship. Photo by Alyssa Cobb.
A brand-new Caravan on amphibious Wipline 8750 floats will soon head to Papua to replace it. Donors helped purchase the airplane and floats—the 100th set of Wipline 8750s produced—displayed in MAF livery at the Wipaire booth during EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 23 through 29.
Wipaire Vice President of Marketing and Sales Clint Clouatre said the floats would be used "to save lives, not just supply a lifestyle."
MAF said the Wipline 8000 floats on the old Caravan had "been a great tool." The new Wipline 8750 amphibs will allow the aircraft to carry 400 additional pounds without increasing the fuel burn or operating expense.
"We do what we do because we want to help people spiritually and physically," said MAF president David Holsten, who served in Indonesia with his family for 18 years and just took the helm of the Nampa, Idaho-based organization in June.
A professional ferry crew will deliver the aircraft to Papua. "It's a little like Christmas when it shows up," MAF Vice President of Ministry Advancement Barb Bowman said. "You can imagine."

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Featured Caravan Pilot: Jeciane with the Brazilian Air Force

Meet our Featured Caravan pilot Jeciane with the Brazilian Air Force. It is the largest Air Force in the Southern Hemisphere with 627 aircraft and 77,454 personnel.

Jeciane is an inspirational pilot! Below you will find her answers to some questions that we asked her. We know that she will inspire some current and future pilots!


Name: Jeciane
Age: 26 years old
From: Brazil 
Total Time: 300 hours
Company: Brazilian Air Force
Location: Belem, Para
Years flying Caravans: 1 year

What do you like most about flying the Caravan? 

The Caravan is the most comfortable airplane that I’ve ever flown. At first, taxiing was a little difficult, because the last airplane that I flew (EMB-110) had the “Stirring” command. But after I got used to it, I could see how maneuverable the Caravan was! Furthermore, it is a versatile airplane that carries 10 passengers (in the Brazilian Air Force we always fly Caravan with 2 pilots and 1 mechanic). 

Here in Belém, there isn’t the G1000 version, so we still do the romantic flying. Different from other Air Force airplanes, the Caravan can land almost on every runway in the north of the country. That allows us to reach isolated localities and help those in need. It is a gratifying mission!

What are your career goals?

At first I want to go back to the Air Force Academy, where I graduated, and contribute with flight instruction of the new cadets. Then, maybe I'll go back to Campo Grande, my hometown, and fly the C-105 Amazonas or I could try the Embraer KC-390. I’m not sure what to do next!

What is your advice for younger pilots?

I think that the most important thing is not to make one mistake that will screw up the flight. We all know to study hard and to compromise are the base of anything we want to do, so it is important not to forget it. 

At the academy, I have gone through a lot of challenges. If we did not reach the established marks in each flight, we could be expelled from the school. I think that helps me a lot not to despair after some mistake I did. Not to give up at the first yell of the instructor and try to stay calm and trust in my knowledge, because I knew I had studied really hard. Good luck to you all!



For more information about the Brazilian Air Force, check out their official site here http://www.fab.mil.br/index.php

CaravanNation.com

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Textron Aviation Ships Grand Caravan EX to Mack Air

Textron Aviation ships first Grand Caravan EX to Botswana's Mack Air

As reported by Flight Global
Textron Aviation has shipped the first of 10 Cessna Grand Caravan EXs to Botswana charter and utility operator Mack Air. The single-engined turboprop is being ferry flown from the Caravan production plant in Independence, Kansas and should arrive at Mack Air's base in the northern town of Maun by the middle of December.
The aircraft is part of an order, placed in the third quarter of 2017, from Mauritian aircraft leasing company Tuareg Aviation. The remaining EXs are set to arrive in Maun by mid-2018 and will replace Mack Air’s ageing piston-powered fleet.
Mack Air will use the high-wing all-metal type to provide charter, cargo and logistics services between a network of independently owned bush safari lodges in the Okavango Delta and Kalahari Plains regions of Botswana.
Asset Image
Mack Air currently operates a fleet of 22 propeller-driven aircraft including 10 single-engined turboprops – nine earlier iterations of the Grand Caravan and a single Quest Kodiak 100 – along with 12 piston-singles: eight GippsAero GA8 Airvans and a pair each of Cessna 206 Stationairs and 210 Centurions.
The Caravans will be supported by Textron Aviation’s South African partner Absolute Aviation from a new maintenance base in Maun. This facility will complement Absolute’s aircraft parts business, established in the town earlier in 2017.
Flight Fleets Analyzer records a global fleet of more than 2,200 Caravans. In the first nine months of 2017 Textron delivered 55 units – eight 208s and 47 EXs.

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Review - Inadvertent Encounter with Freezing Rain



Procedures for Encounter with Freezing Rain



During this time of year, if you are a pilot in the Northern Hemisphere there is a possibility that you will fly into freezing rain. So we thought that now would be a good time for us Caravan Pilots to review procedures in the icing environment.



Please remember that the procedures found below are for the Cessna Model 208B (675 SHP) and no others. If you are flying a different model Caravan, please review your aircraft's FAA approved Abbreviated Checklist or Airplane Flight Manual for that specific model. 

Cessna's procedures for Inadvertent encounter with freezing rain or freezing drizzle:

Enroute

  1.  Power - INCREASE to takeoff power (not to exceed 805 degrees ITT or 101.6% Ng).
  2.  Airspeed - MAINTAIN 120 KIAS or greater (110 KIAS if climbing to exit icing).
  3.  De-Ice boots - CYCLE to obtain best possible clearing.
  4.  ATC - NOTIFY and request priority handling to exit condition.

Approach


  1.  Approach - PLAN straight in approach if possible.
  2.  ATC - NOTIFY and request priority handling to exit condition.
  3.  Power - INCREASE to hold airspeed and glidepath (not to exceed 805 degrees ITT or 101.6% Ng).
  4.  Airspeed - 120 KIAS (or greater).
  5.  Flaps 10 degrees
  6.  Airspeed - Maintain 120 KIAS if possible (minimum speed for flight in icing with 10 degrees flaps of 105 KIAS)

Minimum Speed in Icing Conditions (for all phases of flight including approach, except take-off and landing):


  • Flaps Up: 120 KIAS
  • Flaps 10: 105 KIAS
  • Flaps 20: 95 KIAS

When climbing to exit icing conditions the following airspeeds may be used only for the duration of the climb to exit operation: (Maneuvering should be limited to 30 degrees of bank)


  • Flaps Up: 110 KIAS
  • Flaps 10: 95 KIAS


Landing

1. Recommended airspeed with ice on the airplane:

  • Flaps 10: 120 KIAS

2. If 120 KIAS can not be maintained or other airfield constraints dictate use of other flaps or speeds, the following speeds can be used at the discretion of the pilot.

  • Flaps Up: 110 - 120 KIAS
  • Flaps 10: 105 - 110 KIAS
  • Flaps 20: 95 - 100 KIAS


If you are a Caravan pilot, I highly recommend that you complete some of Cessna's E-Learning courses on this topic. Courses such as "Caravan Cold Weather Ops" and "Caravan Vodcast Ground Icing Conditions". There are many other interesting courses available, most of which are free and are all available at cessnaelearning.com.

Fellow Caravan Pilots, please remember to Review Often and Fly Safe so that you can continue to Love What You Do!