The Title sounds a bit like a James Bond sequel, but it's not.... In my previous post on Bonanza Air Lines, I'd noted that the airline was a "local service" carrier in the West Coast and had started its operations by transporting passengers from towns in the state of Nevada to the Casinos and Hotels of Las Vegas. I'd taken (piloted) a trip in a Bonanza plane, with the possibility of striking a Bonanza...maybe, in one of those locations...🙂...though, in RW, I do not recall any such luck during my couple of visits to Las Vegas... (the word Bonanza being explained by the Dictionary as "a situation or event that creates a sudden increase in wealth, good fortune, or profits") ....

So, I try one more time here... (though it's the third time that is a charm, the saying goes...) with another airline (this is beginning to be bit of a compulsive thing...though virtual and imaginary...), I found this airline, of similar nature and purpose, (with an interesting livery too), that was operating, once upon a time, also in the West Coast, called "Casino Express". Established on July 20, 1987, this air carrier began operations in 1989 using Boeing 737-200 jetliners flying exclusively for the Red Lion Hotel and Casino in Elko, Nevada (See "Elko, Nevada" marking on the 737 fuselage of my pictures, below). It operated (scheduled) 737 service, in the weekends, connecting Elko Regional Airport to many U.S. cities such as Portland (OR) and Seattle (WA). Casino Express Airlines also operated one Boeing 737-200 jetliner for the start-up airline Tahoe Air, which provided scheduled passenger air service from the South Lake Tahoe Airport with nonstop flights to Los Angeles International Airport in southern California and also nonstop service to San Jose International Airport in northern California. So, here, for this post, I've chosen a sample flight, between Lake Tahoe Airport (KTVL) and San Jose International Airport (KSJC).

On December 8, 2005, with an objective to expand into public and private charter services, Casino Express changed its name to Xtra Airways, to reflect its broader focus. Then, later on, in another twist of events, the airline would be eventually acquired by a business entrepreneur, and renamed as Avelo Airlines, under which name it's currently operating out of Hollywood Burbank Airport in California.

Takeoff from Lake Tahoe Airport (KTVL), towards the South (Rwy 18), i.e., into the mountain side (as opposed to the over-the-Lake side takeoff from Rwy 36), can be a dramatic challenge...as I found out myself, the hard way, especially not been used to High Altitude Airport takeoffs recently (please excuse a bit of virtual daydreaming here...🙂...). At more than a mile-high in elevation (6,264 feet ASL), Lake Tahoe Airport is not for the faint of heart.... I'd read somewhere...Very true indeed. This “density altitude” phenomenon that reduces an airplane engine’s performance was perceptible (e.g., sluggish build-up of speed) even during the takeoff roll itself on my B737-200. The runway is surrounded by mountains, the tallest being Freel Peak at nearly 11,000 feet (south of Lake Tahoe), which is known to create dangerous conditions for the southward liftoff, especially when coupled with strong drafts of wind, which is not uncommon in the region. In fact, you can see, below, in the initial few pictures, the wings of my 737 barely scraping these mountains during takeoff and climb... 

This Casino Express 737-200, of this post, is powered by one of the last models (-17) of the Pratt & Whitney (low-bypass) JT8D series engines (before the upcoming 737 Classics would switch to the more efficient (high-bypass) CFM56 series engines), please see my close-up engine shots. You may also clearly spot the Pratt & Whitney "Dependable Engines" Eagle logo on these engines, next to the prominent "BOEING 737" marking.

So, while I missed, here, the triple comfort of the 3 JT8D engines of my previous hot-and-high B727 a/c (a fast-and-furious "Lead Sled", a member had remarked...), I've somehow managed, barely enough, to survive the dangerous takeoff from (KTVL) Rwy 18... (Note: Facing a few (unavoidable) household errands today, I forgot to simulate, in advance, with my Garmin Trainer on this occasion...Oh well...)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this collection of pictures, interior and exterior, of my Casino Express B737-200 (Reg. N457TM) in the attractive color of the Queen of Hearts, lifting off Lake Tahoe Airport (Rwy 18), on its way to San Jose International Airport (KSJC).... 

Thanks for viewing and your interest...!!

Edited October 16, 20223 yr by P_7878

Very nice pictures. I wished we had one for the MSFS2020.

Great shots! 😉 

I flew on that bird to Elko , and came home shirtless .......☹️😁

A little history plus an exciting flight...what more could you ask for?

John

6 hours ago, LRBS said:

Very nice pictures. I wished we had one for the MSFS2020.

Thank you for the comment, and I am with you on your wish...🙂...!

 

6 hours ago, Alaska738 said:

Great shots! 😉 

Appreciated, Will ...!

 

5 hours ago, johnbow72 said:

I flew on that bird to Elko , and came home shirtless .......☹️😁

Oh...you did fly the Casino Express to Elko...IRL...🙂.... As you know, John, I'm obliged to wear the Pilot's uniform on all these trips...🙂...so, hopefully, I'm exempted from that coming home shirtless part...but that always remains a distinct possibility...

 

5 hours ago, John F said:

A little history plus an exciting flight...what more could you ask for?

John

Thanks, John. Yes, it felt like that for me too, and it was indeed an exciting beginning to the flight for sure.... especially since I'd not done the necessary prep and planning for it....

Cheers...!

Yes indeed RL .........just kidding about the shirtless thing . You know - No shoes , no shirt ....No Service . 😜

Very cool info and good gravy, that is one ancient cockpit, steam all the way baby but I like it.

5 hours ago, johnbow72 said:

Yes indeed RL .........just kidding about the shirtless thing . You know - No shoes , no shirt ....No Service . 😜

...🙂...Good to know.... 

 

5 hours ago, Jack_Sawyer said:

Very cool info and good gravy, that is one ancient cockpit, steam all the way baby but I like it.

Certainly, Jack....🙂.... it's ancient cockpit...compared to the modern and shiny cockpits of the NG and MAX, but to think that these were the roots.... that had started it all for 737...

CS has done a good job replicating the feel of it, here. When they first brought it out in steps, I was rather active in their Forum, many moons ago, even contributing criticism of its flight characteristics there...nouveau (virtual) simmer's (over) confidence ...🙂.... I do recall folks asking there, "where is the GPS button...?"....and been (curtly) told to fly like it should be flown...based on VORs etc...

Edited October 17, 20223 yr by P_7878

Fine shots P_7878, another classic bird that i like..

cheers 😉

I love these classics. Thanks for bringing it on, P_7878, plus the info!

Super Shots!!

Brings back memories.  When I worked in Duluth probably around 2008 or so we used to get that airline in for charters....CXP was the 3 letter...and they'd go to KIFP.  We always joked it was International Fun Place

pmplayer, bernd, Patrick, Ryan:

Thanks for the comments...!!

 

On 10/19/2022 at 7:28 PM, ryanbatc said:

Brings back memories.  When I worked in Duluth probably around 2008 or so we used to get that airline in for charters....CXP was the 3 letter...and they'd go to KIFP.  We always joked it was International Fun Place

[Ryan: Your stint at Duluth must have brought you in contact with some interesting such airlines...yes, indeed, Casino Express later wished to shade the association with "Casinos" alone and diversified into charter services (private and public) .... Looks like it was then acquired by a former COO of United Holdings and is operating, these days, with a fleet of 737-700s/-800s as an LCC...

BTW, IFP = International Fun Place....sounds good to me...🙂...]