7 day scheduling planes restriction

[paddk989]

I understand for 7 day scheduling it is necessary to use 7 planes of the same type, but is it acceptable for example to use a mix of comet 4 and comet 4c. What would be the downside of using that mix of planes.

[qunow]

Downside for mixing different aircraft of same type in 7-plane 7-day scheduling:
- If they have different capacity, then you might oversupply the route more than desired on some days and undersupply on other days
- If they have different range, then the extra range capability of longer range aircrafts being used would be wasted
- For aircraft subtypes with different shorthand code designations, they would look less nice on route planning and airport departure arrivial screen

[Zobelle]

So besides all those. No problem at all.

On shorter routes I mix and match Martin 202/404 as needed.

[paddk989]

Another potential problem I accidentally found is take off runway requirements may be different for different series of a plane, and you get the warning this plane cannot use this airport.

[freshmore]

- If they have different range, then the extra range capability of longer range aircrafts being used would be wasted

Definitely an easy mistake to make later on, very easy to get a load of A320 family aircraft with different ranges off the used market and realise you don't have the right aircraft for a 7 day schedule.

Overall the runway requirement and range issues are the biggest problems to face, capacity I find less of an issue and comes down to having a good idea of how your fleet is going to develop and what your requirements are going to be. Overall any downside in mixing aircraft on a schedule is for me at least, beaten by the extra utilisation and efficiency a 7 day schedule brings.

[Cardinal]

If I have multiple variants of an aircraft model, and I'm waiting on the last of 7 of one of them but I have an extra of another that is capable of flying the route, I'll build the schedule with the oddball and swap it out when the intended frame delivers.

For example, if I have 6x 737-400 and I'm waiting for the 7th, but I have an extra 733 on-property I'll go ahead and schedule the routes. Once the 7th 734 delivers I'll move the schedule off the 733.