Thursday, December 14, 2006

Fokker F27

Fokker F27

The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.
A PIA F27 at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore in January, 2006 A PIA F27 at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore in January, 2006

History

Design of the Fokker F27 started in the 1950s as a replacement to the successful DC-3 airliner. The manufacturer evaluated a number of different configurations before finally deciding on a high wing twin Rolls-Royce Dart engined layout with a pressurised cabin for 28 passengers.

The first prototype, registered PH-NIV, first flew on 24 November 1955. The second prototype and initial production machines were 3 ft (0.9 m) longer, addressing the first aircraft's slightly tail-heavy handling and also providing space for more passengers. These aircraft also used the more powerful Dart Mk 528 engine.

In 1956 Fokker signed a licensing deal with the US aircraft manufacturer Fairchild for the latter to construct the aircraft in the USA. The first U.S.-built aircraft flew on 12 April 1958.

As at the end of the Fokker F27s production, 786 units had been built (including 206 in the USA by Fairchild), which makes it the most successful turboprop airliner of all time.

In the early 1980s, Fokker developed a successor to the Friendship, the Fokker F50, with upgraded engines and systems.

Variants

The first production model of the Fokker F27, the F27-100, which seated 44 passengers, was initially deliveried to Aer Lingus in September 1958.

F27-300M Troopship
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F27-300M Troopship

Other versions of the Fokker F27 include:

  • F27-100 - was the first production model;
  • F27-200 - uses the Dart Mk 532 engine;
  • F27-300 Combiplane - Civil passenger/cargo aircraft;
  • F27-300M Troopship - Military transport version for Royal Netherlands Air Force;
  • F27-400 - "Combi" passenger/cargo aircraft, with two Rolls-Royce Dart 7 turboprop engines and large cargo door;
  • F27-400M - Military version for US Army with designation C-31A Troopship.
  • F27-500 - The most ubiquitous Fokker F27 model the -500, had a 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) longer fuselage, a return back to the Dart Mk 528 engine, and accommodation for up to 52 passengers. It first flew in November 1967;
  • F27-500M - Military version;
  • F27-500F - A version of the -500 for Australia with smaller front and rear doors;
  • F27-600 - Quick change cargo/passenger version of -200 with large cargo door.
  • F27-700 - A F27-100 with a large cargo door;
  • F27 Maritime - Unarmed maritime reconnaissance version;
  • F27 Maritime Enforcer - Armed maritime reconnaissance version; and
  • FH227 - Fairchild-Hiller stretched version.

Specifications

F27 Rolls Royce Dart
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F27 Rolls Royce Dart
F27 APU Inlet
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F27 APU Inlet
  • Length: 77 ft 2 in (23.5 m)
  • Span: 95 ft 2 in (29.0 m)
  • Wing area: 753 ft² (70.0 m²)
  • Max takeoff weight: 42,000 lb (19,050 kg)
  • Max Cruising speed: 300 mph (483 km/h)
  • Range: 912 miles (1,468 km)
  • Service ceiling: 32,600 ft (9900 m)
  • Engines: 2x Rolls-Royce Dart Mk528 turboprops

Operators


Fokker F27 operators - past and present

The F-27 is one of the most widely used airliners in the world, though the Douglas DC-3 holds the record.

Many aircraft have passed from passenger service into cargo or express-package freighter roles.

Pakistan International Airlines has been operating Fokker F27 aircraft in the difficult terrain of Northern Areas of Pakistan. However, due to a tragic crash near the Multan Airport on 10 July 2006, PIA decided to ground its entire Fokker fleet under public and Government pressure.

Airlines

Airlines that have operated the Fokker F27:

In August 2006 a total of 164 Fokker F27 aircraft (all variants) remain in airline service around the world. Major operators include: Libyan Arab Airlines (14), Merpati Nusantara Airlines (11), WDL Aviation (11) and Mountain Air Cargo (11). Some 43 airlines operate smaller numbers of the type.[1].

Military Operators Past and Present

Parachuters jump from a Fokker Friendship from the Icelandic Coast Guard.
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Parachuters jump from a Fokker Friendship from the Icelandic Coast Guard.

Government Agencies

  • Department of Civil Aviation - Australia
  • The Dutch Royal Flight
  • Icelandic Coast Guard
  • Iranian Government
  • France Institute Geographique
  • Securité Civil - France
  • Chad Government

Organisations and Corporations

  • F27 Friendship Association - The Netherlands
  • Libyan Red Crescent
  • National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC)
  • Hawkins and Powers Aviation, Inc. - USA
  • AirCruising Australia - An air based tour compa

Accidents

  • On February, 2003, a military Fokker F-27 crashed in northwestern Pakistan killing Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir, his wife and 15 others.

Full list of accidents


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November 17, 2009 at 10:38 PM

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