Gumah From United States of America, joined Aug 2001, 143 posts, RR: 0 Posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 4654 times:
Hello,
I'm a frequent "peeker" at these boards and came across this website while doing a search for fearful flying. While I can pretty much handle getting on a jet, I am flying from SFO to Medford, OR in 3 days on United Express EMB 120 Brasilia. That has me freaked out a little as I've never been on a turbo prop.
I would like to hear from anyone who has flown (or flies) this plane, as to what to expect as far as noise, take-off and landings. It's a short flight so I'm trying not to get too worked up, but any information anyone could share would be greatly appreciated.
Clickhappy From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 9444 posts, RR: 72 Reply 1, posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 4637 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW PHOTO SCREENER
they are bumpy!
I flew SLC-JAC and back in March, was quite an eye opener. They are noisey, and cramped. Get a single row seat if you are by yourself, near the front.
Gigneil From United States of America, joined Nov 2002, 16215 posts, RR: 88 Reply 2, posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 4629 times:
Your comfort aside, they are a completely safe and well-known aircraft to crews and mechanics.
Che From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 537 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 4618 times:
I flew the EMB-120 once. A COEx flight CLE-YYZ-CLE.
It's fairly noisey and can be bumpy at times. But nothing real significant. Its a typical 30 pax turboprop much like the Sabb 340 or J41. I believe Skywest (United Exp) EMB-120's have the newer interiors with the leather seats. Its not a bad plane for a short flight.
OH-LGA From Denmark, joined Oct 1999, 1428 posts, RR: 22 Reply 4, posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 4609 times:
They're completely and absolutely safe, and they're quite fun as well
I work as a CSR for United Express/SkyWest in SFO, and am usually on the dispatching end of the flights to Medford. If you would really prefer to take a jet, we have CRJ flights alternating with EMB-120 flights that you could try standing by for, if you schedule permits it.
The noise level isn't too horrible, but I work around them all the time so maybe I'm just used to it. Then again, I work inside Block time between SFO and MFR on a Brasilia is about 1:30, not too long.
The seating configuration, as some have mentioned, is 1-2. If you're travelling by your own and want the best of both worlds (aisle and window), ask for an "A" seat.
Basically, they're a great little plane for short hops, and completely safe.
Happy Travels!
Kai
Head in the clouds... yet feet planted firmly on the ground.
Nonrevman From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 1289 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 4576 times:
They are very safe. As stated, they are significantly bumpier than riding in a larger aircraft. You will certainly feel the turbulence more. I notice that passengers tend to react to in flight turbulence a little more than usual (ie, looking around at each other or saying something about it), but that is typical. Try to avoid the last row. It has 4 seats in a row and no windows. The rest of the plane is the 1-2 configuration. For aviation buffs, this one is certainly good for the experience.
Clrd2go From United States of America, joined Feb 2003, 1000 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 4551 times:
I'd love to fly on a small turboprop again. Flown a few DASH-8's recently,
but the last "small" one I was on was a Twin Otter many years ago. I'd
love another ride in one of those!
RayChuang From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 7694 posts, RR: 5 Reply 7, posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 4506 times:
Hopefully, the Brasilia is better than the An-26 I flew in China in 1989! That flight from Wuhan to Guangzhou was the most miserable flight I've experienced with noisy engines, uncomfortable seats, and the plane bounced a lot from turbulence. Small wonder why I kissed the ground of the airport at Guangzhou when I got off.
Redngold From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 6907 posts, RR: 51 Reply 8, posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 4469 times:
I don't want to be the one who scares you, but it might help you to know that the EMB-120 was involved in two separate crashes, both due to propeller failure. A book about one of those crashes, Nine Minutes, Twenty Seconds, details what caused the failures and how the government investigated and then fixed the maintenance standards.
I'm not suggesting that you read the book before flying (it is quite unsettling and morbid), but I mention it so that you know the EMB-120 *did* have problems, but they have been fixed and the plane is still very safe by any standard.
AA737-823 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 5338 posts, RR: 11 Reply 9, posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 4465 times:
I would not doubt that it would be a better experience than most products Antonov has to offer.
Turboprop engines are great- the reliability of a jet engine (since that's basically what it is) with power scaled down to small-plane-size.
Chepos From Puerto Rico, joined Dec 2000, 5968 posts, RR: 12 Reply 10, posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 4449 times:
They are very safe but extremely noisy .
Im 6'2 and I did not feel cramped at all obviously its not the cabin of a 777, but after 15 mins of being inside the cabin you'll get used to your sorroundings.
Chepos
Ida-flyer From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 11 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 4388 times:
I fly them quite regularly between SLC and IDA and they are safe. You might want earplugs if you are sensitive to the noise. If you can, get seat 9B or 9C. I consider this the "first class" row, since it is the exit row. Lots of room.
Airplanetire From United States of America, joined May 2001, 1809 posts, RR: 3 Reply 12, posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days ago) and read 4357 times:
I flew one on ASA Delta Connection from ICT to DFW in March. It was a truly wonderful flight! I did not find it to be much noisier than a jet. Props have a different kind of noise though. Everything vibrates and I think that may accentuate (Sorry if I used this incorrectly, but I love using as many words as I can and I really like that word and thought it fit. ) the noise. I experienced some bumpy turbulence, but nothing terrible. I can imagine that a plane that small could get some ugly turbulence though. Take the A seat if you can. It's weird flying with a window and an aisle at the same time with just having one seat. It is worth the experience. Have a great flight and try not to worry!
ATA L1011 From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 1361 posts, RR: 7 Reply 13, posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 4323 times:
It is a little noisy but has lots of engine vibrations, moreso than the Saab 340.
SegmentKing From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 14, posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 4296 times:
most of the Brasilia crashes were due to bad mechanics or bad pilots (with exceptions of the blades, and that was fixed back in 96).
the Brasilia is the fastest prop around, and while it does seem to be "bumpy" its because the plane has a VERY sturdy wing and profile... it's like comparing a semi to a sports car on the highway.... the semi is more comfortable, and the sports car is a lot more maneuverable.
I do not sit near the front of the aircraft as the profile on the props do make it louder (cuts the air harder), I tend to sit in row 7/8/9 on the left side, or get the emergency exit row (8 or 9 depending on the operator).
Holgate From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2003, 38 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 4202 times:
I flew one couple of years back,with United Express LAX-San Diego.
All I can say is that it was fantastic!,views of LAX were amazing!
Great little "prop",crew were really friendly.
Was looking foward to the return but it turned out to be a 737-300.
Do they still use the EMB 120 on LAX-SAN?
Captain.md-11 From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2001, 703 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (9 years 11 months 3 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 4121 times:
I flew on a Comair EMB 120 last year from KMCO-KRSW. I had just stepped off an MD-11 when I boarded this flight, so I'm bound to say that it was a bit on the small side! It was not all that comfortable on board, but to be honest I was quite excited about flying on my first turbo-prop! It wasn't all that bumpy during my flight, but I get the distinct impression that it doesn't mix well with up-draughts! Still its a pleasant plane to fly on and at no point did I feel unsafe.
Enjoy
Twins,twins, everywhere.... but where are the three holers?
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From Denmark, joined Oct 1999, 1428 posts, 
Small wonder why I kissed the ground of the airport at Guangzhou when I got off. 
From Puerto Rico, joined Dec 2000, 5968 posts, 
From Brazil, joined Aug 1999, 662 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2003, 38 posts, 
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