Lone Star Airlines - Aircraft

Aircraft

• The airline began service with Piper PA-31 Navajo aircraft. Later, Dornier Do 228 and Beechcraft Model 99s were added. These aircraft were retired as the airline began taking deliveries of the Fairchild Metro III, Fairchild Metro 23 and the Dornier 328.

• The relatively high operating costs of the Dornier 328 were minimized by operating it on long range flights thus reducing the number of takeoffs, landings and engine starts per hour. During its operation, Lone Star was recognized by Dornier for operating the longest stage lengths of any Dornier operator.

• APALS (Autonomous Precision Approach Landing System). Lone Star Airlines became Lockheed Martin's APALS launch customer in 1996. The intent of the system was to provide precision approach capabilities at airports that did not have the equipment and procedures to support a precision approach. APALS equipped aircraft would be able to safely and successfully operate into and from airports under conditions not available to other aircraft.