Textron Delivers 500th Caravan EX

Charter operator and freight hauler South Aero was the customer for the 500th Cessna Grand Caravan EX. (Photo: Textron Aviation)

by Jerry Siebenmark AIN

The Cessna Grand Caravan EX utility turboprop single entered service more than six years ago, and Textron Aviation has delivered its 500th copy, the company announced yesterday. Certified in 2013, it is the third variant of the successful Caravan line first introduced in 1986, but with a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine that improved its rate of climb by 38 percent over its predecessor.

Accepting the milestone Grand Caravan EX was Albuquerque, New Mexico-based South Aero, a charter and freight hauler that operates five Cessna Caravans and nearly 11 flights a day. “The dependability and load-carrying capability of the Grand Caravan EX allows our fleet to operate for thousands of hours across the continental US,” South Aero owner and CEO Wayne South said. “This is an outstanding aircraft for our operations and a platform that our pilots love to fly.”

The $2.68 million airplane—which includes the optional under-belly cargo pod—can seat up to 14 passengers with a useful load of 3,692 pounds (1,675 kg) and a maximum range of 912 nm.

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Fly Safarilink Adds Brand New Grand Caravan EX

Congratulations to Fly Safarilink on their new 2019 Grand Caravan EX!

After a week long journey from the U.S., the aircraft was met by Yash Desai of Africair Inc. (pictured left), Anu Vohra - Safarilink Marketing Director (pictured center), and Alex Avedi - Safarilink CEO (pictured right), upon arrival at Wilson Airport in Nairobi.

As Kenya's premier safari airline, Safarilink provides daily scheduled services to 22 destinations in and around Kenya. The Cessna 208B meets the specific requirements of operating into bush airstrips within Kenya's world famous game parks.

We are proud to add another 208B to Fly Safarilink's growing fleet. Thank you for your continued business and trust in Africair Inc., it is a pleasure to serve you. For more information about Safarilink please visit their website at: https://www.flysafarilink.com/en 


Posted on CaravanNation.com with permission from Africair Inc. If you have an article that you would like us to publish, send requests to info@CaravanNation.com

10 Things You (probably) Did Not Know About the Caravan

Now and then our readers will share with us interesting facts that we did not know about the Cessna Caravan or facts that we do not believe that our average reader would know. This inspired the creation of the list found below. We hope that you enjoy and share with us any other not-so-commonly known facts that you know about the Caravan!

1. Accidentally hitting the Start switch will illuminate the "Generator Off" light.

2. The most common turbo-prop airplane used for skydiving in the world is the Caravan. (For more information about flying skydivers, check out our affiliate site SkydiverDriver.com)

3. The Caravan's firewall was tested to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. The Cessna logo can be seen in the pattern of rivets in front of the co-pilot's door.

5. The Caravan cruises 10 knots faster and 50nm further without the cargo pod installed.

6. If the Torque gauge fails, you can use the Fuel Flow gauge to set power settings: Climb = 400, Cruise = 300 and Approach = 200

7. Single point fuel system is available for the Caravan.

8. You only have 90 seconds of fuel remaining if the red reservoir low light illuminates.

9. Boot activation increases the stall speed by 10 knots.

10. If you accidentally drop your pen in the hole between the rudder pedal and power column, be sure and get it out because it can cause a rudder jam.

Please share your not-so-commonly known facts about the Caravan with us below or by sending them to info@caravannation.com

Information compiled for this article is from the archives of CaravanNation.com and from the book Caravan: Cessna's Swiss Army Knife with Wings.

Mokulele to Add New Routes and Test Electric Hybrid Airplane

Mokulele to Add New Routes and Test Electric Hybrid Airplane

As reported by Beat of Hawaii

Starting June 17, Mokulele Airlines will fly twice daily between Maui and Lanai from $57 each way. That, following the acquisition of Mokulele by Memphis based Southern Airways Express a few months ago.

And the company is looking to expand the Mokulele brand here in Hawaii with more Hawaii inter-island routes later this year.

"When we purchased Mokulele just over 2 and a half months ago, we made a promise to the people of Hawaii that we would bring more aircraft, newer aircraft, more departures and more destinations than this airline has ever served." -- Mokulele Airlines (Southern Airways Express)

Mokulele plans to test a new hybrid aircraft model on their Kahului to Hana Maui route starting this fall. That as a result of a partnership between Mokulele and Ampaire. Ampaire spokesman said, "with a short flight, it shows off the technology and its benefits. Hawaii's focus on sustainability also makes it more aligned with our own vision." He added that potential fuel savings of 50-70% are possible with 25-50% maintenance cost reduction. The company's site says "Ampaire is on a mission to provide the world with all-electric powered commercial flights that are affordable, quiet and environmentally conscious."

If things go well, such planes, carrying up to 9 passengers, could serve longer routes, including between Honolulu and Maui.

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Caravan Flights Into Icing

Caravan Flights Into Icing

by Mari Peterson

As pilots we are trained to exit icing conditions when they present themselves, and as pilots we know that icing conditions are ever-changing. Sometimes the conditions can be exactly right for ice, and you get nothing. Sometimes the opposite. 

The de-ice boots on the Caravan provide some protection for removing ice, but just because an aircraft is approved for flight into icing conditions doesn't mean that you should remain in that environment and continue to accumulate more.

Ice alters the airfoil surface, making us test pilots for a new type of wing shape - therefore the boots are really a tool for exiting an icing situation. The nice part about the Northwest is that the conditions usually change within a few minutes and the situation resolves itself and the short hops between Seattle and the islands sure help too.

Be sure to treat every icing scenario as it's own independent event and to know your indicators and actions: loss of airspeed, autopilot checks etc. Most importantly, have fun and fly safe out there!

This article was written by Mari Peterson. Follow her on Instagram! instagram.com/justplanemari

If you would like to submit an article please email us info@CaravanNation.com

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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!


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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.

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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!

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


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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 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."

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