The Qs aren't so much replacing the Beeches (they're on Continental, we're on US Airways; they're out of EWR, we don't go near there; they can't make it into half the airports we use if they wanted to), but the company is indeed phasing out the 1900s.
When I was hired, we had 11 D-model airframes on property, down from their all time max of 13. As of this week, we have 4 airframes flying the line, with a fifth getting torn apart to be sent back to Raytheon. With all the Qs coming online, the company doesn't want to try to balance a three type fleet, and it just so happens that our leases all run out sometime this year. So, as the leases come up, we
take the planes back to Raytheon's facility in OKC.
We're holding on to these last four airframes to fulfill our EAS contracts here in Maine (and have a spare plane to cover routes for the Saab, when it breaks - we are known as the SRC:Saab rescue crew for a reason
). The company is trying to get the EAS airports certified for the Saab, but the airport managers are fighting it (they need better crash/fire/rescue than what any of the are equipped for...RKD and BHB need fire boats, which isn't happening), and the company is asking for more money to make a Saab profitable (which it won't be).
So as it stands now, our EAS contracts expire in October, so that's when we expect the last 1900 to go back to the factory (you can find some of our old planes in Controller - if anyone wants to buy one, I'll come fly it for you
).
As far as my plans...they offered me a May 12th or May 28th Q transition class. I had to turn it down because I leave June 11th for my wedding, and I wouldn't have been down in time. So now...I have no idea what they're going to do to me. June is my grace month for recurrent ground, and July is my grace month for sim, so if they don't have another Q class at the end of June I'll either get unpaid vacation until they run another class or I'll have to requal in the Beech...then all bets are off.
I'm not so opposed to the Q, it's the Saab that I really don't want to fly
. I do think most of its current pilots are wusses, but that's a different matter
. I mean, it's no Beech, but
it should be fun enough. I'll finally have a chance to learn glass cockpit/autopilot flying, and see more than the same five airports day in/day out! And who knows, Bob, I might even get a chance to talk to you some day!