ATR42 to and Beech 1900 from Aruba

Flutter around the Dutch Antilles
Aruba by ATR-42 and Beech 1900D
by Jan Koppen

In February 2020, my friend, Mr. Michael S. Prophet, and I traveled from Amsterdam to the Caribbean, the 'old-style'. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines brought us comfortably in their 27 years young Queen, "City of Nairobi," to Willemstad, Curacao. During our spotters-trip to the Caribbean, we took the opportunity to flutter around the Dutch Antilles to spot and photograph the aviation activity on these tiny islands. The third island we visited was Aruba, which is only a 20 minute ATR-42 ride from Willemstad. Enjoy the pics, video, and captions.

This, Air Antilles ATR-42-500 was operating for Winair, flight WM806, from Curacao to Aruba, on February 11, 2020.

Air Antilles call-sign is Green Bird.

C/A Francoise Saint-Eloi Echard was on duty in the cabin.

Capt. Rudy Marie-Joseph did appreciate my gift, a KLM Dreamliner!

F/O Gregory Saint-Val hard at work in the front office of his ATR-42-500.

The ATR cockpit certainly has the looks of an Airbus.

Altitude 3.600 ft and still climbing fast.

Her switches and buttons, worn smooth by the touch of a thousand fingertips.

During the 1980s, French aerospace company Aérospatiale and Italian aviation conglomerate Aeritalia merged their work on a new generation of regional aircraft. For this purpose, a new jointly owned company was established, ATR, for the purpose of developing, manufacturing, and marketing their first airliner, which was later designated as the ATR 42. On 16 August 1984, the first model of the series, designated as the ATR 42-300, performed the type's maiden flight. During the mid-1980s, the ATR 72 was developed as a stretched variant of the ATR 42. On 27 October 1989, Finnish airline Finnair became the first airline to operate the type in revenue service. The ATR 72 has also been used as a corporate transport, cargo aircraft, and maritime patrol aircraft.

To date, all of the ATR series have been completed at the company's final assembly line in Toulouse, France; ATR benefits from sharing resources and technology with Airbus SE, which has continued to hold a 50% interest in the company. Successive models of the ATR 72 have been developed. Typical updates have included new avionics, such as a glass cockpit, and the adoption of newer engine versions to deliver enhanced performance, such as increased efficiency and reliability and reductions in operating costs. The aircraft share a high degree of commonality with the smaller ATR 42, which is also still in production.

Winair 806, operated by Air Antilles, from Willemstad, Curacao, on final for Aruba's runway 11.

Aruba's airport is named after the latest Queen of the Netherlands.

Another quick turnround for F-OIXD as it disembarks passengers from Willemstad, Curacao, at Aruba.

The number "42" in its name is derived from the aircraft's standard seating configuration in a passenger-carrying configuration, which typically varies between 40 and 52 passengers.

The ATR 42-500 is a further upgraded version, the first delivery of which occurring during October 1995. It has many improvements for performance and passenger comfort including new engines, new propellers, a newly designed cabin, and increased weight. It has six-bladed propellers powered by PW127E engines rated at 2,400 shp (1,800 kW) for improved hot and high performance and increased cruise speed. The engines are flat rated for +45C. Propellers are electrically controlled and are made from composite. It has an increased maximum takeoff weight, allowing for more cargo and greater range. Due to the six-bladed propellers and better insulation, it has reduced noise levels. The newest version have CATII capability and dual Honeywell HT1000 FMS installation.

Aruba Reina Beatrix airport arrival hall.

Las Americas round-about.

Douglas DC-9-31 P4-DCA of defunct Air Aruba is seen here preserved on a plinth opposite the terminal of Aruba Queen Beatrix Airport and is seen rising above the gathering rubbish on a gorgeous day in 2020. Originally P4-DCA served with Texas International Airlines from June 1974 until December 1980, when she was acquired by New York Air. She spent a good many years flying from 'the Big Apple'. In 1987 she was transferred to Continental Airlines. She provide yeoman service for the airline from Houston, Texas until February 1987. Air Aruba became the new owner and worked the Caribbean airways for many years, until she was stored in the last months of 2000. Her wings were used for artificial reef and the fuselage should become part of a restaurant in the backyard of the general aviation area of Queen Beatrix Airport.

The Prikichi (Aratinga pertinax arubensis) has become the National Bird of Aruba. It is hoped that this will help to boost awareness of nature on Aruba and help to ensure that these birds to not disappear from the Aruban landscape.

Air Aruba Douglas DC-9-31, named 'Prikichi' is on display in the neighborhood of Santa Cruz, Aruba.

In the neighborhood of Paradere-Bloemond, one can find three Short-360 hulks on the premises of a local salvage yard.

Former Tiara Air Short-360 N365MQ is ending her career in a salvage yard on the island Aruba.

The Short 360 is a 36-seat derivative of the 30–33 seat Short 330. In high density configuration, 39 passengers could be carried. The two Short airliners have a high degree of commonality and are very close in overall dimensions. The later 360 is easily identified by a larger, swept tail unit mounted on a revised rear fuselage. The 360 has a 3'0" (91 cm) fuselage "plug" which gave sufficient additional length for two more seat rows (six more passengers), while the extra length smoothed out the aerodynamic profile and reduced drag. Seating is arranged with two seats on the starboard side of the cabin and one seat on the port side. The 360's power is supplied by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65Rs.
Building on the strengths and reputation of its 330 antecedent, the 360s found a niche in regional airline use worldwide, being able to operate comfortably from 4,500 ft (1,400 m) runways – opening up hundreds of airfields that would otherwise be inaccessible to airliners. With a cruise speed about 215 mph (370 km/h), at an altitude of 10,000 ft (3,048 m), the unpressurized 360 was not the fastest turboprop in its market but it offered acceptable performance at a reasonable price combined with ease of service and maintainability. The PT6A turboprops are fully ICAO Stage 3 noise-compliant, making the 360 one of the quietest turboprop aircraft operating today.

During the 1970s the world's commuter airline market began to evolve from the 20-seat class to larger and more comfortable cabins. Short Brothers of Northern Ireland had created the Skyvan in 1962, followed by the related but larger Short 330 in 1974. The Short 360 development was announced in 1980, with the prototype's first flight on 1 June 1981 and type certification awarded on 3 September 1981.
The first production Short 360 had its maiden flight on 19 August 1982 and entered service with Suburban Airlines (later merged with Allegheny Airlines/US Airways) in November 1982.

After initiating production with the basic model, Short marketed a number of 360 developments. First was the 360 Advanced, in late 1985, with 1,424 shp (1,062 kW) PT6A-65-AR engines. That was followed by the 360/300, in March 1987, with six-blade propellers, more powerful PT6A-67R engines, and aerodynamic improvements, giving a higher cruise speed and improved "hot and high" performance. The 360/300 was also built in 360/300F freighter configuration.

Production of the 360 ceased in 1991 after 165 deliveries.

A snug fit in the premises of a salvage yard. There's no hope of resurrection for this former MAYAir Short-360 N522NM. Her wings were folded alongside.

At the end of her career the aircraft was owned and operated by Tiara Air. It was withdrawn from use in 2013 and is presently stored at the premises of a demolition company. She still retains tell-tale signs of its last airline identity MAYAir. Founded in 1994, MAYAir, became a regional airline operating the Cancun-Cozumel shuttle.

Three, geriatric tubroprop hulks in a row.

MAYAir Short-360 N522NM, in a sad state, at a salvage yard on Aruba, relegated to providing spares.

Former Aeroperlas Regional Short-360, P4-TIC, was bought for spares by Tiara Air.

The last operator of this Shorts-360 was Aeroperlas from Panama.

Not much time left for this Short-360.

Aruba - One happy island.

Paarden Bay, Oranjestad, Aruba.

Splash Park Aruba.

Late afternoon arrival over Sonestareef island for Aruba's runway 11.

American Airlines Boeing 737-800 N832NN, is seen here operating flight AA1028 from Miami (MIA) to Oranjestad (AUA), on the afternoon of February 11, 2020.

Boeing 737-800 N832NN is seen here on finals to Aruba Reina Beatrix runway 11.

A storm is brewing.

WestJet Boeing 737-800, C-FAWJ, operating flight WS2798 from Toronto (YYZ) to Oranjestad (AUA) on February 11, 2020.

Strongly illuminated against a storm, ‘Whiskey Juliet' was on a scheduled flight to Aruba on February 11, 2020.

Founded in 1974, as Emergency-One. Truck company E-One has four plants in the United States.

Voyageur Airways from North Bay, Ontario, Canada, Dash-8-300, C-FEYG, was leased by Aruba Airlines during our visit in the Caribbean and we spotted her numerous times on both Aruba and Curacao-Hato airport.

Customers include some of the largest cities in the US, including the fire departments in Boston, Chicago and New York City.

E-One has sold more than 25,000 vehicles worldwide. In 2006, all operations were move to Ocala, Florida.

Delta Airlines Boeing 757-200 on push-back at Aruba.

Delta Airlines Boeing 757-200 N698DL is seen here departing as DL654 to Atlanta Hartsfield, in the late afternoon of February 11, 2020.

I flew back to Willemstad, with this EZ Air Beech 1900D, PJ-EZA, with flightnumber 7Z/681.

The 1900 is Beechcraft's third regional airliner. The Beechcraft Model 18 was a 6- to 11-passenger utility aircraft produced from 1937 to 1970, used by the military, airlines, charter operations, corporations for executive transport, and freight carriers. The 15-passenger Beechcraft Model 99 Airliner was designed to replace the Beech 18, and was produced between 1966 and 1975, and from 1982 to 1986. It was also commercially successful and remains in common use with freight airlines such as Ameriflight.
The Beechcraft 1900's design lineage began in 1949 with the Beechcraft Model 50 Twin Bonanza, a 5-passenger, reciprocating engine utility aircraft designed for the U.S. Army. A larger passenger cabin was added to the Twin Bonanza's airframe, and called the Model 65 Queen Air. This aircraft was, in turn, further modified by adding turboprop engines and cabin pressurization, and named the Model 90 King Air. A stretched version of the King Air was later developed and designated the Model 200 Super King Air. Beechcraft developed the 1900 directly from the Super King Air, in order to provide a pressurized commuterliner to compete with the Swearingen Metro and the British Aerospace Jetstream.
The 1900 first flew on September 3, 1982, with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification awarded on November 22, 1983 under Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 41C airworthiness standards. Like the 1900, the 1900C was certified under SFAR 41C, but the later 1900D version was certified to FAR Part 23 "Commuter Category" standards.
The 1900 entered service in February 1984, with the first ExecLiner corporate version delivered in 1985. A total of 695 Beechcraft 1900 aircraft were built, making the airliner the best-selling 19-passenger airliner in history. With market trends favoring larger 50- to 90-seat regional jets, Raytheon ended production of the Beechcraft 1900 in October 2002. Many airlines continue to fly the 1900.

EZ Air, a small regional service airline, was handed their Air Operator Certificate (AOC) mid December 2019 and started its regular flights as of December, 2019. The airline now executes various daily flights between Curaçao, Bonaire and Aruba.

The aircraft, with 19 seats each, are used under the brand name EZ-Air for flights between the ABC islands, flights between Bonaire and St. Eustatius and flights to Colombia. The aircraft have been specially selected for their ability to fly directly to various destinations, within an acceptable time and with sufficient comfort. The relatively long distances, for example on the route between Bonaire and St. Eustatius, brought about several requirements for the aircraft, which among other things have a toilet, and reasonable baggage capacity.

Our Captain is happy with his gift, a 'plastic' KLM Dreamliner.

A proud pilot in his Beech 1900D.

The director of Medicair and EZ Air, Rene Winkel, has an enormous experience in local aviation. He previously flew as captain for both the Winair and ALM Antillean Airlines. In addition, with his company Medicair he has been carrying out ambulance flights between Bonaire and Colombia since the year 2000. The name EZ-Air is not new on the islands. In the past, Winkel has been executing flights between Bonaire and Curaçao for several years with two Britten-Norman aircraft.