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Sansa vs Nature air? which is better?
https://forum.costaricaticas.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=30740		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Rasclat [ Sat Sep 26, 2009 12:18 am ]
Post subject:  Sansa vs Nature air? which is better?
So im looking to book a flight from sj to puerto jimenez, both airlines are the same price, would like to hear which company is better if anyone has flown with both.
Author:  Planenutz69 [ Sat Sep 26, 2009 1:31 am ]
Post subject: 
Are you a gambler?

Sansa flies single engine Cessna Caravans over the mountains?

or Nature Air flies twin engine DeHaviland Otters?

Either is 1,000 times safer than being on any CR road.

I flew a Tropic Air Caravan from Belize city to Ambergris recently. I made the comment about how reliable and bullet proof the PT6 engine that powers the Cessna Caravan is. The Captain laughed and said "do you know why the plane we are flying today is the new one in the fleet?" No I replied. Well its to replace the one that crashed in the bay due to an engine failure.

Oh shit!

Everyone made it out alive. Shallow warm water rescued by ferry boats and fisherman.

I would put my A$$ on the twin engine bird!!

Those are Mi Dos Colones
Author:  Pacifica55 [ Sat Sep 26, 2009 9:54 am ]
Post subject: 
Caravans have flown millions of safe miles all over the planet. The engine is a simple turbo-prop and very dependable.

The ole joke about twins goes, "How far will this airplane go on one engine?" "All the way to the crash site!"

Both the Cessna and DeHaviland are fine airplanes, the DeHaviland is a little roomier.
Author:  Mysnoatb [ Sat Sep 26, 2009 11:19 am ]
Post subject: 
Pacifica55 wrote:
The ole joke about twins goes, "How far will this airplane go on one engine?" "All the way to the crash site!"
:lol: :lol: :lol:

I flew on Sansa a few times years ago.... They're cramped, but were fine. I bet they're using the same planes today...
Author:  Prolijo [ Sat Sep 26, 2009 12:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
The above discussion may give aviation buffs real woodies :P , but as even one of them admitted "Either is 1,000 times safer than being on any CR road." So why are they even discussing it (other than the aviation woody part)? :? Given the relative safety of flying even on a single prop plane compared to driving on CR roads (something we have all done with relatively little thought to its safety risks), that issue would be fairly low on my list of criteria for choosing which airline to take. However, there are a few other more practical and immediate differences that I'd consider first.

First, if you plan to catch a flight out immediately after you arrive in CR, Sansa is probably more convenient as it flies from a terminal right next door to SJO (assuming your arrival and departure times match up sufficiently. Even more importantly, if you want to head immediately out to PJ, Sansa may be your ONLY choice. Relatively few flights arrive early enough to even catch Sansa's last departure (at 2:15PM). In contrast, you'd probably have to arrive in CR by 10-10:30AM in order to clear I&C and make it over to the Pavas airport in order to cash Nature's last departure (at 11:30 AM). OTOH, if you plan to spend at least your first day or two in SJ before flying on to PJ (which I'm guessing would be most mongers' plans), then Nature Air's airport in Pavas would be slightly more convenient (and less expensive) than having to take a taxi all the way back out to SJO.

Secondly, there may be significant cost differences. REGULAR fares are pretty similar between those 2 airlines ($114 o/w including tax to PJ vs. $113 on Nature Air). HOWEVER, Nature Air also offers something called their "Loco fare" and it IS "crazy" cheap IF you can get it ($81 o/w). The catch with that is that the seats at those Loco fares are limited and they tend to sell out, so you usually need to book it well in advance. Also, the Loco fare comes with more restrictions as to cancellation or rescheduling(Nature Air also has another fare with fewer restrictions than their regular fare called "Elite" which would cost you $129 each way).

Thirdly, depending on your circumstances, their schedules MIGHT be a factor. Again, their REGULAR morning direct flights are pretty similar. Sansa has a 6:30 and 8AM departure while Nature departs for PJ @ 6AM and 8:30. Since you'd probably have to get up a bit earlier to get out to SJO that 1st flight is effectively even closer than it sounds. OTOH, if getting up at the break of dawn is not for you then that Nature Air 8:30 flight sounds a little nicer. Nature also has a late morning direct flight that leaves at 11:30 which might sound even better after a long late night of debauchery. However, you should keep in mind (especially if you're as safety conscious as the last 2 posters) that there is a good reason why there are so few domestic flights later in the day. Heavy rain and/or choppy air often becomes worse later in the day, particularly during the rainy season and weather has been at least as big a factor in aviation accidents in CR as any of the mechanical issues discussed above. At the very least, a greater chance of a cancelled flight or a bumpier ride exists on those later flights. If that hasn't put you off for a later departure, Sansa also has 2 later flights but they aren't direct so will take about 35-40 minutes longer to get to PJ. The first leaves around 11AM and goes through Drake Bay while the second leaves around 2:15PM and goes through Golfito.
Author:  Rasclat [ Sat Sep 26, 2009 12:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
My god prolijo do you always have to write a book? :lol:
You do bring up interesting points, unfortunately my flight in to CR is too late to catch a flight to PJ the same day. Since its dead season when im arriving both airlines have the loco fares still available for the dates i need return for 2 comes to 320$ incl taxes. So far looks like ill be taking Nature Air 6am flight now to find a hotel in pavas....
Author:  Rasclat [ Sat Sep 26, 2009 1:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
Browsing through the nature air site i found this gem

The following items CANNOT be carried in your hand baggage:

* Toy or replica guns (plastic or metal)
* Catapults

Hopefully they will be able to fly my catapult on a later flight!
Author:  Mysnoatb [ Sat Sep 26, 2009 3:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Rasclat wrote:
Browsing through the nature air site i found this gem

The following items CANNOT be carried in your hand baggage:

* Toy or replica guns (plastic or metal)
* Catapults

Hopefully they will be able to fly my catapult on a later flight!


That's awesome. Maybe you should stick to Sansa, then, because I don't think they're as restrictive with transporting your medieval siege weapons.
Author:  Del Rey Dave [ Sun Sep 27, 2009 12:25 am ]
Post subject: 
I've been a few of these flights to the coast before and they can be very rough. The pilots have a look of fear a lot of times. The earlier in the morning your flight the better before the storms kick up.
Author:  Del Rey Dave [ Sun Sep 27, 2009 12:29 am ]
Post subject: 
Also, many of the runways you land in on the coastal areas are in the middle of cow pastures. It's a lot of fun though and something you should take some pics of.
Author:  Mucho Gusto [ Sun Sep 27, 2009 12:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
I've flown them both many, many, many times. No problems. Beats the hell out of a 5 hour drive to Guanacaste. Single engine Sansa planes or twin engine Nature Air planes? Makes no difference. You're worried about nothing. Just do it! :wink:
Author:  Gringotim [ Sun Sep 27, 2009 12:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
I've flown to Quepos a few times on Sansa. Never flown Nature Air.
One time, while attempting to depart from Quepos, we were delayed because a horse was running back and forth across the runway. A couple of guys got on minibikes and chased it away. On that same flight, they were overbooked, so I had to sit in the co-pilots seat. That was fun!
Author:  Orange [ Sun Sep 27, 2009 2:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Gringotim wrote:
On that same flight, they were overbooked, so I had to sit in the co-pilots seat. That was fun!

Where was the co-pilot? I'd be nervous flying with only 1 pilot. You need a second pilot in case something happens. The co-pilot helps with navigation, radio, checklists, etc.
Author:  Pacifica55 [ Sun Sep 27, 2009 3:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
"Navigation, radio, checklists? We don't need no stinkinc navigation, radio checklists!" :shock:
Author:  Prolijo [ Sun Sep 27, 2009 7:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
Rasclat, I apologize for the book (not really :P ). I realized at the time that it was probably more than you really needed to know, MUCH more, but I always like to throw in complete information for OTHERS who might have similar questions that those contingencies might apply to.

Re: the "catapults", I'm guessing they must be talking about sling shots since they mentioned toy guns in the line before that, but I could be wrong (wouldn't be the 1st time). Do K*ds still play with those things (and take them on their vacation to CR) :? ? I used to have one way back when I was a K*D (you know, in medieval times) :roll: and was pretty deadly with it too :D.
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