Simviation Forums

Does anyone know why C-130s are unpopular in the civilian market? It seems like it would make a great cargo ferry but there arent that many in civilian aviation. Are they too expensive to operate or just not suited to civi cargo? I mean you woud think that cargo services woulkd jump on it.

There's no real need for them. Airlines are better off with more efficient designs, created solely for civilians. Examples for "competitors" to the L-100 would be the ATR family, ERJs etc.

1: there arent many of these in civil hands to start with
2: lockheed civil sales werent great anytime

And the main reason: An-12s are cheaper (and havent been shot at usually, even if second-hand)

I think maybe its more along the lines of the fact that its the wrong size. Its a medium sized cargo plane which makes it too big and expensive for a small operation which would go for something like a DC-3 or a Cessna Caravan and too small for a big operation which would use a cargo version of a commercial liner like a DC-10.

The C-130 is more suitable for operation from small unequipped airfields. In modern airports newer aircraft are more efficient. In the 3rd world where the aircraft is suitable, Russian aircraft are cheaper. So there is a small market for the aircraft.

Also, the airplane's own history is against it....  I mean, any "civilian" Hercules would immediately be seen as being part of Air America (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) ... just as Aeroflot was (still is?) a totally civilian enterprise.  (Note, I'm not complaining that Aeroflot was, in the grand scheme of things, part and parcel of the Soviet defence scheme, for me, it's a matter of fact)

However, for the civilian market, a well maintained An-12 (or similar) is probably more economical to operate (especially if it's not US registered)

Speaking of Air America there was a pilot named Rik Luytjes back in the 80's who owned a very successful aircraft modification company called Air America. But he smuggled a ton of coke in a modified Cessna 310, not a C-130.

They made a movie about that, didn't they?

They made a movie about that, didn't they?

NO, the movie was about the CIA run Air America out of Thailand and Vietnam in the '60s.  Quite an interesting part of aviation history since most of the pilots were mostly ex-military, " soldiers of fortune", and the strict civilian regulation were niceties more often observed in their breach.

Ah, but it was titled Air America, no? Just to make sure I'm not losing my wits.

Ah, but it was titled Air America, no? Just to make sure I'm not losing my wits.

Yes, but the movie was about the Air America that flew missions for "the company" (shhhh) in SE Asia; not the Air America that smuggled drugs.
Wait... now I'm confused...