Cessna's - Time to replace?

[n-e-foo]

I'm just repeating what I heard '> I think the problem is, the small quantity of PC-9's ordered and the age of the Marchetti's, which I thought were going to be retired upon the introduction of the PC-9?! Not that the cessnas are exactly brand spanking new.

Now I must re-emphasise I could be completely wrong, but I did hear this. Also I've seen alot of the 172s doing basic flight manouvres recently, like the circuits Taj spoke about, so I thought that they were in fact being used for the primary training.

[Tucco]

Nice pic of a Cessna with rocket pods fitted in the new book, anyone see it?

[Silver]

Yeah, I spotted that pic, Tucco. A rare photo indeed !
Having said that, somebody in this forum mentioned that they had a photo of a Cessna on the ground with SNEB's attached.

[Taj]

They are well over thirty years old now-is it time to replace?
It would not cost much, $4 million for a fleet of eight Cessna 208 Caravans.For that money they would give a much enhanced capability-greater payload/range/speed.Any thoughts?

[n-e-foo]

I think - and I could well be wrong though - that the 172's are to be used (are being used) as primary trainers for pupils before they go onto the PC-9.. which would rule out the Caravan completely as a replacement.

I think we'll see them soldiering on for quite some time yet....

[Silver]

Good idea alright.
I thought 8 would cost more than $4 million   '>  Maybe not.
And I believe the Cessna Caravan is the 'hot' favourite within the AC.
But the white paper suggested only 3 aircraft to replace the Cessna's !

Anyway, I'd reckon replacing the Cessna's is bottom of the DoD's priority list  - Thats presuming the have a 'priority list' at all   '>

[Taj]

You're right Silver-include a spares package and you could add on another 2 mil-still cheap enough at a total of $6mil.
The aircraft mentioned in the white paper were larger twin engined types like the Islander-there is no need for an aircraft that sized-but what you can be sure of is that if there were only three they would be in huge demand.
It is amazing what could be achieved in the Corps with a well managed budget.
Saw two Cessna's doing circuits of the Don last week-might be some merit to the idea that they will become the primary trainers-bit stupid though cos eight new ones wouldnt put a halt to the new Lansdown road.

[Taj]

n-e foo if they are to be used as primary trainers that will leave a gap in the army co-op role,in which the caravans would be a top choice.