The Neverending Story

 

Contrary to what we reported on March 6, 2025, the Fokker F-28 Mk.1000C TC-53 (cn.11020) flew again for LADE (Líneas Aéreas del Estado). Yesterday, March 25, 2025, the aircraft operated flight 5U502, departing from Jorge Newbery Airport in Buenos Aires. After stops in Mar del Plata and Bahía Blanca, it arrived in San Carlos de Bariloche with 38 passengers on board (60% occupancy). This is how the Argentine Air Force's noble Fellowship continues to operate the only F-28 passenger service in the world.

 After each service for LADE, the Argentine Air Force's Fokker F-28s perform a short transfer flight from Aeroparque to El Palomar. The Argentine Fellowships are based at El Palomar Air Base.

Thanks to: Francisco Jaime, Rafael Reca, Vuelos y Spotters.

Never delivered #9

 

During 1991, plans were underway to transfer Aerolíneas Argentinas' three Fokker F-28 Mk. 1000s to Austral Líneas Aéreas. The aircraft were in the final stages of their operational careers.

Aircraft LV-LOA (cn 11085), LV-LOC (cn 11083), and LV-LRG (cn 11046) were to undergo a major inspection before being transferred to the Austral fleet. The first to be checked in Hangar 2 at Ezeiza Airport was LV-LOC, which had accumulated nearly 55,000 cycles. Austral personnel attended to observe the progress of the work. On August 2, 1991, the maintenance manuals and other documentation were collected to complete the transfer. Shortly thereafter, on October 3, 1991, the Board of Directors abandoned plans to transfer the aircraft to Austral Líneas Aéreas. The Fellowships flew with Aerolíneas Argentinas for a while longer, until 1994, and were scrapped at Ezeiza Airport in 1996.

Sources: Línea Ala Blogspot & Juan Carlos Rodríguez

A Fellowship tour

    On Tuesday, March 7, 1978, a Fokker F-28 Mk. 4000 visited the Jorge Newbery Aeroparque in Buenos Aires, completing a demonstration tour. The aircraft bore Dutch identification and Linjeflyg colorscheme. Previously, the aircraft had visited Rio de Janeiro, conducting various tests on the famous "Ponta Aérea" route from Rio's Santos Dumont airport to São Paulo. The Fellowship was one of the many aircraft evaluated to replace VARIG's venerable Electras, which, incidentally, continued flying until 1992.

    The Dutch factory, to fulfill this tour, leased an F-28 Mk.4000 from the Swedish company Linjeflyg, (PH-JPV - cn. 11130) before the aircraft was delivered to them. The European manufacturer had carried out a promotional tour in the region in the late 60s, when it began marketing the model with the PH-MOL F-28 Mk.1000 (cn.11003) aircraft. Of the versions derived from the original Fellowship, the F-28 Mk.4000 was the most successful series. This version entered service with the Swedish company Linjeflyg on October 20, 1976, powered by Spey 555-15H engines. Furthermore, compared to the original model, it offered greater seating capacity (85 passengers versus 65), a larger wingspan, and reinforced wings.

    The tour garnered modest interest from the Argentine state-owned company, which had been operating the model since 1975 with the Mk.1000 series. In 1979, the national carrier leased an Mk.4000 series aircraft from NLM City Hopper. This aircraft was later acquired - PH-BBV/LV-MZD cn.11127.

    The aircraft subsequently continued its tour, performing various demonstrations in Bolivia for Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano, which received coverage in the local press.

* See - Never delivered N° 6.