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COMMUTER/REGIONAL 1-50 SEATS

COMMUTER/REGIONAL 1-50 SEATS
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  • AEROSPATIALE BROUGHT ITS ATR-42 DEMONSTRATOR TO THE UNITED STATES IN OCTOBER 1985. FIRST POTENTIAL (AND EVENTUAL) CUSTOMER WAS RANSOME AIRLINES, WHICH WAS LOOKING FOR A REPLACEMENT FOR ITS DHC-7. I WAS WRITING FOR COMMUTER AIR MAGAZINE AT THE TIME, WHICH MERITED A PHOTO FLIGHT...AND MY FIRST COVER PHOTO WITH THAT MAGAZINE

    AEROSPATIALE BROUGHT ITS ATR-42 DEMONSTRATOR TO THE UNITED STATES IN OCTOBER 1985. FIRST POTENTIAL (AND EVENTUAL) CUSTOMER WAS RANSOME AIRLINES, WHICH WAS LOOKING FOR A REPLACEMENT FOR ITS DHC-7. I WAS WRITING FOR COMMUTER AIR MAGAZINE AT THE TIME, WHICH MERITED A PHOTO FLIGHT...AND MY FIRST COVER PHOTO WITH THAT MAGAZINE

    ATR-42

  • Back in the late 80s and very early 90s, Mesa Airlines operated a growing fleet of Beech 1900s. N91YV is shown in the carrier's original color scheme with Shiprock in the background.

    Back in the late 80s and very early 90s, Mesa Airlines operated a growing fleet of Beech 1900s. N91YV is shown in the carrier's original color scheme with Shiprock in the background.

    BEECH 1900

  • ATLANTIS AIRLINES WAS THE FIRST US OPERATOR OF THE BAE-3100, A VASTLY UPGRADED VERSION OF THE ORIGINAL HP.137 JETSTREAM. N155AA, THE SECOND PRODUCTION JETSTREAM 31, WAS LEASED TO ATLANTIS AIRLINES OF FLORENCE, SC. THE JETSTREAM 31 WENT ON TO BECOME ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL 19-SEAT PRESSURIZED COMMUTER AIRCRAFT.

    ATLANTIS AIRLINES WAS THE FIRST US OPERATOR OF THE BAE-3100, A VASTLY UPGRADED VERSION OF THE ORIGINAL HP.137 JETSTREAM. N155AA, THE SECOND PRODUCTION JETSTREAM 31, WAS LEASED TO ATLANTIS AIRLINES OF FLORENCE, SC. THE JETSTREAM 31 WENT ON TO BECOME ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL 19-SEAT PRESSURIZED COMMUTER AIRCRAFT.

    BAE-3100

  • Air Vermont was one of the early operators of the Beech C-99. I photographed N97AV hugging the coast of Lake Champlain in August 1983

    Air Vermont was one of the early operators of the Beech C-99. I photographed N97AV hugging the coast of Lake Champlain in August 1983

    BEECH C-99

  • PROBABLY MY MOST ICONIC PHOTO SHOOT. RANSOME AIRLINES HAD DEPARTED FROM THE ALLEGHENY COMMUTER SYSTEM AND JUST RECEIVED A BRAND NEW DASH 7 IN ITS OWN COLOR SCHEME. THE COMPANY ORGANIZED A PRESS PHOTO FLIGHT (WE WERE IN A NORD 262) AND WE MADE A COUPLE OF PASSES AROUND THE PHILADELPHIA AREA. AFTER THAT, THE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING ASKED IF ANYONE WANTED ANYTHING ELSE. I PIPED UP, "HOW ABOUT A SHOT IN FRONT OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING?" LIFE WAS SOOOOO0O SIMPLE 35 YEARS AGO...

    PROBABLY MY MOST ICONIC PHOTO SHOOT. RANSOME AIRLINES HAD DEPARTED FROM THE ALLEGHENY COMMUTER SYSTEM AND JUST RECEIVED A BRAND NEW DASH 7 IN ITS OWN COLOR SCHEME. THE COMPANY ORGANIZED A PRESS PHOTO FLIGHT (WE WERE IN A NORD 262) AND WE MADE A COUPLE OF PASSES AROUND THE PHILADELPHIA AREA. AFTER THAT, THE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING ASKED IF ANYONE WANTED ANYTHING ELSE. I PIPED UP, "HOW ABOUT A SHOT IN FRONT OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING?" LIFE WAS SOOOOO0O SIMPLE 35 YEARS AGO...

    DHC-7

  • The Swearingen Metro was essentially a stretched Merlin corporate transport. For many years, it was the only pressurized aircraft built for the commuter airline market. Earlier models were limited by regulations to 12,500 lbs fully loaded. As a result, the early Metros were severely weight-restricted. In 1980, weight restrictions were raised to 14,000 lbs, and Swearingen immediately began work on the Metro III. Midstate was an early operator of the Metro III

    The Swearingen Metro was essentially a stretched Merlin corporate transport. For many years, it was the only pressurized aircraft built for the commuter airline market. Earlier models were limited by regulations to 12,500 lbs fully loaded. As a result, the early Metros were severely weight-restricted. In 1980, weight restrictions were raised to 14,000 lbs, and Swearingen immediately began work on the Metro III. Midstate was an early operator of the Metro III

    METRO III

  • Exec Express Airlines operated a small fleet of DO-228s and Piper T-1040s. I photographed this DO-228 in Oklahoma.

    Exec Express Airlines operated a small fleet of DO-228s and Piper T-1040s. I photographed this DO-228 in Oklahoma.

    DO-228

  • After the merger with Piedmont, USAir began dismantling the highly-successful Florida Shuttle and replaced the jets with Henson Airlines Dash 8s on heavier routes, and Embraer Brasilias on thinner routes. Florida Gulf Airlines was formed under the Mesa Airlines certificate to operate as a USAir Express carrier focused on Florida and the Southeast.

    After the merger with Piedmont, USAir began dismantling the highly-successful Florida Shuttle and replaced the jets with Henson Airlines Dash 8s on heavier routes, and Embraer Brasilias on thinner routes. Florida Gulf Airlines was formed under the Mesa Airlines certificate to operate as a USAir Express carrier focused on Florida and the Southeast.

    EMB-120

  • Scenic Airlines led the way in converting the venerable Twin Otter into an aircraft more suitable for sightseeing. The DHC-6 was refitted with larger windows and a four-bladed prop which reduces noise inside and outside the cabin. These Vistaliner conversions are in use around the world today

    Scenic Airlines led the way in converting the venerable Twin Otter into an aircraft more suitable for sightseeing. The DHC-6 was refitted with larger windows and a four-bladed prop which reduces noise inside and outside the cabin. These Vistaliner conversions are in use around the world today

    DHC-6

  • As the commuter airline industry began to mature, regulations were changed to permit operation of aircraft weighing more than the previous limit of 12,500 lbs. As aircraft manufacturers scrambled to design and build larger regional aircraft, Gulfstream Aerospace saw the potential to extend the useful life of its venerable robust Gulfstream 1. By extending the fuselage by 10'8", seating capacity was increased to 37 passengers. Sadly, baggage capacity was not similarly increased, and Gulfstream abandoned the program after converting five aircraft.

    As the commuter airline industry began to mature, regulations were changed to permit operation of aircraft weighing more than the previous limit of 12,500 lbs. As aircraft manufacturers scrambled to design and build larger regional aircraft, Gulfstream Aerospace saw the potential to extend the useful life of its venerable robust Gulfstream 1. By extending the fuselage by 10'8", seating capacity was increased to 37 passengers. Sadly, baggage capacity was not similarly increased, and Gulfstream abandoned the program after converting five aircraft.

    GULFSTREAM 1C

  • COLGAN AIRWAYS OPERATING AS NEW YORK AIR CONNECTION FLEW ONE OF THE MOST EASILY IDENTIFIABLE SHORTS 330S IN THE COUNTRY! OVER THE YEARS, I PHOTOGRAPHED N331SB IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT COLOR SCHEMES, BUT THIS WAS CERTAINLY THE MOST EYE-CATCHING!

    COLGAN AIRWAYS OPERATING AS NEW YORK AIR CONNECTION FLEW ONE OF THE MOST EASILY IDENTIFIABLE SHORTS 330S IN THE COUNTRY! OVER THE YEARS, I PHOTOGRAPHED N331SB IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT COLOR SCHEMES, BUT THIS WAS CERTAINLY THE MOST EYE-CATCHING!

    SHORTS 330

  • HERE IS ANOTHER VIEW OF N1900J IMMEDIATELY AFTER DELIVERY, AND JUST PRIOR TO REPAINTING

    HERE IS ANOTHER VIEW OF N1900J IMMEDIATELY AFTER DELIVERY, AND JUST PRIOR TO REPAINTING

    BEECH 1900b

  • CCAIR WAS ONE OF THE FIRST MEMBERS OF THE PIEDMONT COMMUTER SYSTEM. I PHOTOGRAPHED N332SB OVER CHARLOTTE IN SEPTEMBER 1985. THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THE PIEDMONT COLOR SCHEME THAT MADE EVEN THE SHORTS 330 LOOK PRETTY GOOD!

    CCAIR WAS ONE OF THE FIRST MEMBERS OF THE PIEDMONT COMMUTER SYSTEM. I PHOTOGRAPHED N332SB OVER CHARLOTTE IN SEPTEMBER 1985. THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THE PIEDMONT COLOR SCHEME THAT MADE EVEN THE SHORTS 330 LOOK PRETTY GOOD!

    SHORTS 330

  • THIS IS PROBABLY MY FAVORITE VINTAGE AIR2AIR PHOTO. THE VERY LIGHT CLOUD LAYER ABOVE US DIFFUSED THE LIGHT SO THAT THIS LOOKS MORE LIKE A PAINTING THAN A PHOTO. N421SA WAS ORIGINALLY DELIVERED TO SWIFT AIR ON THE WEST COAST, AND WAS LATER SOLD TO AIR NORTH. WHEN IT WAS PAINTED IN PIEDMONT COMMUTER COLORS, THAT WAS MY CUE TO WRITE AN ARTICLE...AND, OH YEAH, TAKE A FEW PHOTOS AS WELL.

    THIS IS PROBABLY MY FAVORITE VINTAGE AIR2AIR PHOTO. THE VERY LIGHT CLOUD LAYER ABOVE US DIFFUSED THE LIGHT SO THAT THIS LOOKS MORE LIKE A PAINTING THAN A PHOTO. N421SA WAS ORIGINALLY DELIVERED TO SWIFT AIR ON THE WEST COAST, AND WAS LATER SOLD TO AIR NORTH. WHEN IT WAS PAINTED IN PIEDMONT COMMUTER COLORS, THAT WAS MY CUE TO WRITE AN ARTICLE...AND, OH YEAH, TAKE A FEW PHOTOS AS WELL.

    F.27;F-27

  • Gull Air operated a fleet of handsome Cessna 402s. Typically, the bulk of its fleet spent the summers in New England and winters in Florida. I captured this Cessna over Hyannis

    Gull Air operated a fleet of handsome Cessna 402s. Typically, the bulk of its fleet spent the summers in New England and winters in Florida. I captured this Cessna over Hyannis

    CESSNA 402

  • N690PC WAS CCAIR'S FIRST SHORTS 360, OPERATING AS PIEDMONT COMMUTER. I PHOTOGRAPHED THIS OVER THE SKYLINE OF CHARLOTTE AS IT LOOKED IN 1987.

    N690PC WAS CCAIR'S FIRST SHORTS 360, OPERATING AS PIEDMONT COMMUTER. I PHOTOGRAPHED THIS OVER THE SKYLINE OF CHARLOTTE AS IT LOOKED IN 1987.

    SHORTS 360

  • Not only was Henson Airlines the first commuter to forge a partnership with an airline, it was later the first regional airline to partner with Piedmont Airlines. By January 1984, N900HA, Henson's first DHC-7, was painted in Piedmont Regional colors. I was invited to Salisbury for a very special photo shoot. Mr. Henson was in the left seat of the Dash.

    Not only was Henson Airlines the first commuter to forge a partnership with an airline, it was later the first regional airline to partner with Piedmont Airlines. By January 1984, N900HA, Henson's first DHC-7, was painted in Piedmont Regional colors. I was invited to Salisbury for a very special photo shoot. Mr. Henson was in the left seat of the Dash.

    DHC-7

  • As Brockway Air continued to operate as a Piedmont Commuter carrier, the company determined that its Fokker F-27s were too expensive to operate, and chose to replace them with the smaller but considerably more efficient SAAB 340.

    As Brockway Air continued to operate as a Piedmont Commuter carrier, the company determined that its Fokker F-27s were too expensive to operate, and chose to replace them with the smaller but considerably more efficient SAAB 340.

    SAAB 340

  • N1900J, MSN UA-3, WAS THE LAST PRE-PRODUCTION BEECH 1900. THIS AIRFRAME WAS LEASED TO COLGAN AIRWAYS, WHICH WAS THEN OPERATING AS NEW YORK AIR CONNECTION. I PHOTOGRAPHED THIS HIGH ABOVE THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA LANDSCAPE SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS PAINTED UP IN THE FULL NEW YORK AIR CONNECTION LIVERY.

    N1900J, MSN UA-3, WAS THE LAST PRE-PRODUCTION BEECH 1900. THIS AIRFRAME WAS LEASED TO COLGAN AIRWAYS, WHICH WAS THEN OPERATING AS NEW YORK AIR CONNECTION. I PHOTOGRAPHED THIS HIGH ABOVE THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA LANDSCAPE SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS PAINTED UP IN THE FULL NEW YORK AIR CONNECTION LIVERY.

    BEECH 1900b

  • N4118G was one of a handful of Navajo Chieftains operated by Exec Express in the mid-90s

    N4118G was one of a handful of Navajo Chieftains operated by Exec Express in the mid-90s

    PA-31

  • COMAIR WAS ONE OF THE EARLY OPERATORS OF THE SHORTS 330. THE COMPANY ALWAYS HELD A WARM SPOT IN MY HEART BECAUSE IT WAS THE SUBJECT OF MY VERY FIRST PUBLISHED MAGAZINE ARTICLE

    COMAIR WAS ONE OF THE EARLY OPERATORS OF THE SHORTS 330. THE COMPANY ALWAYS HELD A WARM SPOT IN MY HEART BECAUSE IT WAS THE SUBJECT OF MY VERY FIRST PUBLISHED MAGAZINE ARTICLE

    SHORTS 330

  • BROCKWAY AIR OPERATED FOKKER F-27S AND BEECH 99S UNDER THE PIEDMONT COMMUTER BANNER.

    BROCKWAY AIR OPERATED FOKKER F-27S AND BEECH 99S UNDER THE PIEDMONT COMMUTER BANNER.

    BEECH 1900

  • Replendant over the Rockies. Pioneer Airlines was an early operator of the Metro III, and this represented one of my more challenging photo shoots. I was in a Beech 99 with the emergency exit door removed, and we were flying at an altitude of some 12,000 feet. I didn't realize I was hyperventilating until my backup slapped an oxygen mask over my face! The effort was worth it, however.

    Replendant over the Rockies. Pioneer Airlines was an early operator of the Metro III, and this represented one of my more challenging photo shoots. I was in a Beech 99 with the emergency exit door removed, and we were flying at an altitude of some 12,000 feet. I didn't realize I was hyperventilating until my backup slapped an oxygen mask over my face! The effort was worth it, however.

    METRO III

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    Gull Air operated a fleet of handsome Cessna 402s. Typically, the bulk of its fleet spent the summers in New England and winters in Florida. I captured this Cessna over Hyannis
    N690PC WAS CCAIR'S FIRST SHORTS 360, OPERATING AS PIEDMONT COMMUTER. I PHOTOGRAPHED THIS OVER THE SKYLINE OF CHARLOTTE AS IT LOOKED IN 1987.
    Not only was Henson Airlines the first commuter to forge a partnership with an airline, it was later the first regional airline to partner with Piedmont Airlines. By January 1984, N900HA, Henson's first DHC-7, was painted in Piedmont Regional colors. I was invited to Salisbury for a very special photo shoot. Mr. Henson was in the left seat of the Dash.