Will operating different variants of the same aircraft affect my fleet commonality costs? I've got a bunch of MD-82s but recently ordered an MD-83 since it was all that was available (the extra range is nice). Just curious as to whether or not this will increase my maintenance costs or if they're similar enough to where it won't matter. If it doesn't affect commonality, does this also go for say the 767-200/-300, etc, assuming they're using the same engine type?
The MD-82 and MD-83 are in the same fleet type, as are the B767-200s and 300s so you won't be penalised by extra commonality costs.
Any increases in maintenance costs will just be because you have more aircraft :)
Look at the "Fleet group" field in aircraft details. As long as that is the same there are full commonality bonuses. If it's different there are no bonuses.
Having different engines only hurts engine commonality, not aircraft commonality, and that's not half as bad. You can also have engine commonality over different fleet groups.
Gotcha, thanks for the quick replies.
If I'm correct, another way to establish fleet group is by looking at the production lists. As I understand it, a fleet group is by definition a group of planes that share a production line. I am pretty sure that this is the case. If I'm wrong, I'm sure that I'll be corrected instantly! :)
You are right.