About This Blog:

The primary purpose of this blog is to showcase the best of my aviation photography. As such, you will find links to my main aviation gallery on Facebook containing photos from aircraft spotting, some kind of aviation event such as air shows and fly-in events, as well as aviation museums. I also critique my flights on commercial airlines and the services they provide. Occassionally, you'll find personally written, independent articles based on news and current events involving aviation. And of course, I'll put up links to official and unofficial aviation-related websites when I find them. And when time permits, I'll talk and discuss about anything involving aviation. But most importantly, this is my way to document my journey into the aviation industry!

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Gallery Update: Saab 2000 Sighting in Corvallis!

I normally wouldn't go through the trouble driving 45 minutes to an airport out in the boondocks like Corvallis to go spotting (considering that I fly into there frequently on training flights!), but when something like rare, uncommon, or unusual is flying in, I make exceptions. In today's case, it was a Saab 2000 scheduled to arrive in Corvallis on what seems to be a college charter flight! Considering that only 63 of these 50-58 seat turboprop airliners were built with only about a third of them flying today, this was an airplane worth chasing down!

The flight was operated by Meregrass, Inc. doing business as Wildcat Touring, an on-demand charter air carrier based out of Dublin, Texas primarily doing flights from Dallas Love Field and Houston Hobby Airport to Aspen, Colorado. The carrier's fleet of three Saab 2000s are normally dedicated solely to operate under the Wildcat Touring name, plus any charter work including college sports teams. In addition, Meregrass also operates a fleet of Falcon 20s, Falcon 50s, and Falcon 900s to extend their reach worldwide.


Preview:

Meregrass, Inc. (d/b/a Wildcat Touring) Saab 2000 (N813BB) on short final for 17, arriving from Rapid City. Only my second time seeing the Saab 2000!

Taxiing to the ramp. Meregrass/Wildcat Touring has their Saab 2000s configured for 30 passenger seats instead of the usual 50-58. I haven't seen a Saab turboprop since PenAir pulled out with their 340s from the Portland market due to bankruptcy back in 2017.

Side view of this incredible turboprop airliner. Based off the successful and shorter Saab 340, the Saab 2000 was a victim of American air traveler aversion to propeller-driven airliners and due to the competition from 50-seat regional jets like the CRJ-100/200 series and the ERJ-135/145 family, hence the reason why only 63 of these were built. One can only wonder how the Saab 2000 would've fared if it was still in production today and competing more with the Dash 8 and ATR-42/72 turboprops.

Parked on the ramp and appears to be making an overnight stay in Corvallis. Once the passengers and crew disembarked, I got some close-up shots! Glad to photograph this rare turboprop airliner!
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