KF Aerospace Retiring Its Convair Freighters - December 2, 2024 - Updated December 8, 2024
KF Aerospace announced in an October 26, 2024 Press Release that its contract with Purolator for the British Columbia Feeder Network (BCFN) had been renewed for ten years and that part of the agreement involves replacing the veteran Convair fleet with ATR-72-500F aircraft. "KF Aerospace is proud to announce the renewal of its contract with Purolator for the BC Feeder Network (BCFN) - a relationship that has reliably served communities across British Columbia for nearly five decades. The new agreement spans 10 years, underscoring the strength and longevity of this critical relationship. As part of the renewed agreement, KF Aerospace will upgrade the BCFN fleet to the modern ATR72-500F aircraft, helping to ensure continued efficiency and reliability in cargo transportation across the province." A November 26, 2024 Yahoo! Finance article reports that KF Aerospace currently operates three Convairs and that "KF Aerospace will oversee acquiring and converting the ATR72-500s, with one conversion already near completion at KF's main Kelowna maintenance facility." The three aircraft being retired are CV580 C-GKFG, CV5800 C-GKFS and CV580 C-FKFZ. While this is sad news for Propliner enthusiasts, the retirement of these 70-year old aircraft was inevitable despite their many years of dependable service to the company. With the rash of recent Convair retirements, this leaves only a handful of these aircraft still in service. UPDATE: I checked the Flightradar24 website and it shows that CV580 C-GKFF, CV580 C-GKFG, CV5800 C-GKFS and CV580 C-FKFZ were all flying as of December 6, 2024. I contacted KF Aerospace who confirmed that these four aircraft will remain in service until at least mid-2025.
Big Changes Coming to Convair Operator - September 27, 2024
On August 22, 2023 and January 31, 2024 I reported that Conquest Air Cargo would be retiring their three CV340/C-131F aircraft (N342GS, N343GS and N345GS) from scheduled cargo service with the Convairs being replaced with wet leased Saab340 and CV5800 (IFL) aircraft. At the time it appeared that the plan was to retain these on the standby dispersant contract but it appears that they will be retired and disposed of in the next 6-8 months. Conquest recently acquired two Saab 340 aircraft with C6-AMA arriving at Opa-locka Airport on September 24th. As I understand, the current plan is to replace the wet leased aircraft with the two Saabs and also outfit them with the sprayer systems that are currently installed in the Convairs. So...it appears that the last commercial piston engine Convair operation will soon be history. Here's a video of C6-AMA arriving at Opa-locka Airport.
Kelowna Convair Sightings - September 19, 2024
John Olafson made an early morning visit to Kelowna International Airport on September 17th and sent the following report and photos. "I got up early to be able to get C-GKFG as it came in to Kelowna shortly after 7AM. I wonder how much longer the KF Convairs will operate. So, I am happy to have been able to get this beauty in perfect early morning light. The photo on the ground shows a forlorn C-GKFF sitting off to the side with a lot of marks on it showing what needs attention. Hard to know if it will fly again. It looks like it's sad to see its stable mate flying above it while it is grounded. Oh well..." C-GKFG is one of the few remaining CV580's in regular service and John captured it beautifully in the early morning sunlight.
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Veteran Canadian Convair Looking Good - April 2, 2024
Paul Filmer photographed National Research Council Canada CV580 C-FNRC at Henderson Executive Airport, Nevada in March 2024. With ever dwindling number of active Convairs, it's great to see this veteran still in service and looking so good. Many thanks to Paul for sharing the photo and report.
IFL Group Draws Down Convair Fleet - March 10, 2024
Until recently, IFL Group operated the largest CV580/CV5800 fleet and it appears they are in the process of retiring this workhorse Propliner. On February 23, 2024 David Jaffray photographed a lineup of five retired CV580s at IFLs home base at Oakland International Airport in Michigan. Included in the photo (right to left) are N991FL, N151FL, N171FL, N191FL and N131FL. A quick check of FlightAware reveals that CV580s N141FL and N181FL along with CV5800 N351FL have also been parked leaving only CV5800s N361FL, N371FL, N381FL and N391FL active as of March 2024. Remaining Convair operators include KF Aerospace operating four CV580 freighters in Canada; Conquest Air Cargo operating three CV340s/C-131s freighters in Florida; and Air Tribe operating a single CV580 freighter.
Vintage CV580 Soldiers On - February 22, 2024
Paul Filmer photographed Convair CV-580F XA-UPL at Ontario International Airport (KONT) in February 2024. One of a very few CV580's still active, this vintage beauty is operated by Air Tribe. Many thanks to Paul for sharing his photos.
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Southern Florida Update - January 31, 2024
Fergal Goodman reports on his recent trip to the Miami area. "I was in Miami for a few days lately and took a quick drive up to Opa-locka on 16 January, which thankfully coincided with the arrival of two Convairs within about an hour. N371FL was returning from Nassau, which it seems to serve mostly twice-daily during the week, while N342GS arrived from San Juan. From a look at the flight-tracking sites, N342GS flies only sporadically now, and its previous revenue run seems to have been to Nassau and back on 29 November 2023. There was at least one other Conquest Convair present but we didn't seek access on this occasion. While we were there, we also saw two DC-3 departures - N705GB and N15MA respectively - so OPF continues to host at least a few active Propliners. At Miami international, Convair 5800 N361FL is currently based, operating over to George Town, Grand Cayman on behalf of Caribbean Airways." Many thanks to Fergal for his report and photos.
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Kelowna Convairs - January 3, 2024
Tristin Kenney recently posted some December 2023 photos on Facebook of the three remaining Kelowna Flightcraft Convairs that are stored at Kelowna International Airport, British Columbia. They were originally slated for conversions that didn't happen. They are C-131F N157JR, CC-109 109152 and C-131E N4753B. While I believe that 109152 was originally going to a museum, I haven't heard any recent news nor do I know why the other two have escaped the scrapman.
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Paraguayan CV240 Rescue Update - December 14, 2023
Arie Meijvogel visited Asuncion, Paraguay on November 15, 2023 and sent me the following photos and a short report on the latest status of the aircraft's restoration. "Last month I visited Paraguay again and with the help from Jorge Prieto and a few others I had an opportunity to take photos of the Convair ZP-CDO. It has been restored on the outside, the inside needs more work. At this moment they have no funds to continue." For more information about the project and aircraft, check out the May 15, 2021 and September 22, 2021 reports on this website.
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Conquest Air Cargo Ends Scheduled Convair Ops - August 22, 2023
Citing high operating costs and the unavailability of quality overhauled parts for its three C-131F/CV340 freighters, Conquest Air Cargo has replaced them on scheduled cargo runs to the Bahamas with a CV580 wet-leased from IFL and a Saab 340. All is not lost in that the aircraft will be kept airworthy for use on a standby oil dispersant contract with one aircraft also remaining on the company's Part 135 certificate for charter work. As reported by Roger Jarman on May 29, 2023, the fleet's spray test system was successfully tested and certified during testing performed by C-131F N342GS "Truman" at TNT on May 27, 2023. While the retirement of the fleet from regularly scheduled service is not great news, at least they are not being withdrawn from service and will continue to be kept in an airworthy condition for at least the foreseeable future.
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Pima Air & Space Museum Adds CV580 to Collection - August 9, 2023
The Pima Air & Space Museum welcomed former Raytheon CV580 N580HH to its collection yesterday. The aircraft made its final flight from Tucson International Airport to Davis Monthan AFB and was towed the remaining the distance to the museum. According to FlightAware, the flight took 17-minutes and ended a 60+ year flying career that began with delivery to General Motors in May 1960. The below photos below show the aircraft crossing Valencia Road just prior to passing through the museum's gate.
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Spray Testing at TNT - May 29, 2023
Roger Jarman spent and enjoyable day at Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport (TNT) in the Everglades photographing pilots taking Conquest Air Cargo C-131F N342GS "Truman" through a series of four test spray runs on May 27, 2023. The aircraft is fitted with spray booms for oil dispersant operations and the tests were performed to confirm that the system was working to spec. Here's Roger's report and photos. "Pilots are constantly tested for competence. Some tests are more enjoyable than others. This crew of C-131F N342GS "Truman" probably consider this to be a "fun" test given their professional experience. I was asked to record the event at the TNT airport in the Everglades. Even though I had to get up early, I must say it was FUN!"
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Tulare's "Flying Taco" Convair - May 28, 2023
Sean Keating made a return visit to Tulare, California in January 2023 to check out T-29A N1184G/50-0193, which has been repurposed as the "Flying Taco" restaurant. Sean reports..."This one started on my last California trip in 2020. I followed up an item on Rudi Leeuw's website, Off-Airport Aircraft, about a hot dog restaurant inside an old T29 in California so, three years ago I went to Tulare to check on the B17 by the highway 99 and had a hunt around town to find it. This year went back to see how they survived COVID and they were still in business, however, the plane is less photogenic as they now have an extra tented area blocking good shots. So, I have included most shots from my January 2020 visit and one from January 2023." If you ever find yourself in Tulare, the restaurant's address is 240 N L St, Tulare, California. Many thanks to Sean for his report and photos.
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The End is Near for Another Convair - April 20, 2023
Graham Robson visited the ARM Yard in Tucson, Arizona on October 10, 2022 and noted that the end was near for former U.S. Navy C-131F BuNo 141007. "After reading about the HARS C-131's demise in Pima, another of the airframes in ARM Yard in Tucson was close to the end in October last year. BuNo 141007 had been sold to Gary Balnicki's company Trans Air Supply, which specialized in supply of aircraft and airframe parts (Balnicki was also president and owner of well-known operator Trans-Air-Link). This Convair, together with four others that had been obtained in 2012 as spares for the Conquest Air Cargo fleet of C-131Fs, had given all it could give in the way of spares, though it looks as though the fuselage may be headed somewhere else very soon."
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MD-83 Replaces Convairs on Bahamas Run - January 29, 2023
Conquest Air Cargo entered the jet age in December when Everts Air Cargo MD-83(SF) N965CE arrived at Opa-locka Airport on wet lease to the airline. The three Convairs (N342GS, N343GS and N345GS) are not being retired but will be used to supplement the jet as-required; used on charter flights; and remain on the standby dispersant contract. Conquest had previously supplemented its Convairs with a wet leased IFL CV580 but IFL couldn't provide the aircraft on a reliable basis due to continuing aircrew shortages. The ever resourceful Carlos Gomez worked a deal with Rob Everts and he now operates his first piece of jet equipment! Good for Conquest but not so good for us Propliner enthusiasts. Fergal Goodman visited Opa-locka on January 24th and was kind enough to share his photos.
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KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence Convair Update - January 22, 2023
John Olafson reported on September 12, 2022 and October 20, 2022 on the KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence s acquisition of CV580 s N580HW and C-FKFA T452. He visited the museum on January 19, 2023 and provided the following updates and photos. "I visited the KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence in Kelowna today and was glad to see C-FKFA Tanker #52 sitting at its new home outside the museum. They were working on the props so I waited a while and soon the prop was back in place. It s nice to know there are two very nice Convairs preserved and on outside display for us to enjoy. There is more room out there so maybe someday we will see the last remaining Canadair built Cosmopolitan joining C-FKFA and N580HW. There were five of them here in Kelowna, but now only one remains." Many thanks to John for his report and photos.
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Santo Domingo Airport Cleans Up Its Boneyard - December 4, 2022
Santo Domingo s Las Am ricas International Airport (SDF) was a hotbed of Propliner activity from the 1970 s thru the mid-1990 s, with a number of aircraft having evaded the scrapman by taking refuge in the airport s boneyard. It appears the scrapman has finally caught up with the remnants of the airport's once mighty fleet of vintage aircraft with Roy Blewett sending me the following report. "I wanted to share with you a rather disappointing update from Santo Domingo. I was 'surfing' Google Earth and happened to notice that the authorities at Santo Domingo appear to have set about clearing the dump at the south end of the main ramp that has contained many a propliner over the years. The attached image, dated Sep2021, clearly shows DC-6 HI-292CT being broken up along with B727 HI-212CT and B707 HI-442CT. While Connie HI-393 and Convair N94CF are both still intact in this image, they are absent from more recent images, and it seems likely they probably met with the same fate. A shame, but I suspect it was only ever a matter of time for these particular airframes." Many thanks to Roy for forwarding his report and the image.
Veteran Firebombers Make Final Flights to Museums - October 20, 2022
Within weeks of being retired by Conair Aviation, two CV580 s made their final flights from Abbotsford, BC to museums for static display.
The folks at Victoria International Airport witnessed an historic event when a CV580 air tanker made its final water drop on the airport s runway to mark the end of a remarkable 66-year flying career. Peter Marshall reports "C-FHKF T455 arrived at the British Columbia Air Museum, Victoria International Airport on Friday September 23, 2022, where it will join A-26C CF-BMS, on display. Both aircraft were donated to the museum (different years) by Conair. The Convair was delivered to Sabena in November 1956 and was acquired by Frontier Airlines, who converted it to a CV580 in July 1968. It saw service with Sierra Pacific Airlines before being acquired by Conair in February 2000 and converted to an air tanker. The aircraft made its final flight under the command of Grahame Wilson, who also retired when he handed over the airplane to the museum. Wilson has been flying for 40+ years had been T455 s sole pilot during its entire time at Conair." While he is retiring from his flying career at Conair, Wilson is not ending his association with T455 as he has signed on as a guide at the museum!
Less than a week later on September 28th, a second CV580 made its final flight when it was delivered to the KF Centre for Excellence, where it will go on static display. John Olafson reports "Conair CV580 C-FKFA T452 made its final flight to Kelowna on September 28, 2022 and before landing it made a ceremonial water drop along the airport s runway 16. Sadly I missed the event but I hope to see it when it is put on display at the museum. I recently noticed in my notes, that all the Conair CV580 s had their original radar nose removed and replaced with a much lighter and smaller one giving the nose a kind of stubby look." A September 29th KF Aerospace Press Release noted the company s involvement in the tanker conversion. "In 2000, KF Aerospace (then Kelowna Flightcraft) formed a joint venture with Conair converting 10 commercial CV580 s into tankers. KF performed the weight reduction modification for Conair, and the tanks were fitted by Aero Union or Conair. Each tanker could carry 2,100 US gallons of retardant (or 7,950 litres)." While it sad that Conair has retired it once mighty fleet of CV580 air tankers, it good to see that two have been saved from the scrapman.
Seventy-Year Old CV580 Soldiers On - October 20, 2022
Air Tribe CV580 XA-UPL (c/n 24) continues in regular service hauling freight throughout the United State and Mexico. FightAware shows that the aircraft conducted 16 flights between October 6 and October 19, 2022, which probably makes XA-UPL the most active Convair still in service. In addition to being the most active, it is one of the oldest surviving Convairs having been delivered to Hawaiian Airlines as a CV340 in November 1952. It went to Allegheny Airlines in June 1962 and was converted to a CV580 in December 1967. After Allegheny retired the type in 1978, it was operated by a number of smaller U.S. and Canadian operators and converted to a freighter. Stored at Marana in 1987, the aircraft was sold in Canada that same year and registered C-FAUF but returned to the U.S. and registered N584E in 1999. Columbus, Ohio based Air Tahoma acquired the aircraft in May 2002 and operated it until the FAA revoked its operating certificate in January 2009. I photographed it in November 2010 when it was stored at the Miami Air Lease facility at Opa-locka Airport. It went to Air Tribe in March 2011 and registered XA-UPL. With so many Convairs being retired and/or scrapped these days, it s great to see this 70-year old veteran still being flown on a regular basis. Barrie Monks photographed it at La Crosse, Wisconsin in May 2022 and John Dill in Janesville, Wisconsin in September 2022. For more information about the history of this aircraft, check out the Aerial Visuals Airplane Dossier website.
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Convair Nose Section Saved - September 22, 2022
Scroggins Aviation Mockup & Effects acquired the nose section of CV440 N358SA, which had been stored at the Aviation Warehouse for many years. The first photo shows the aircraft being towed behind a pickup on its way to the Scroggins storage yard at Mojave Airport. The next photos of a more complete aircraft were taken by Graham Robson at the Aviation Warehouse some years ago. The Convair will be added to the Scroggins collection of aircraft parts and pieces that are used as props for motion picture and TV projects. For more information about The Aviation Warehouse, check out Graham s article An Oasis for Old Propliners on this website.
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List of Active Convairs - September 17, 2022 - Updated September 19, 2024
With the recent rash of Convair retirements and scrappings, I ve attempted to create a listing of active aircraft from a number of sources. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of active aircraft with four piston powered examples still in operation. It was interesting to note that according to FlightAware, a number of IFL Group CV580 s and one of their CV5800 s were recently flown to the company s home base at Oakland County International Airport (PTK). The question I have is whether they were flown there for periodic maintenance; because of IFL s flight crew shortage; or is IFL retiring the type? If anyone knows what the story is, please email me at connieman@comcast.net. Note: I ve also included the four Conair firefighters that were retired after this summer s fire season, with three being retired last week!
IFL Group (Freighter)
CV580 N131FL - retired 2018
CV580 N141FL
CV580 N151FL - to PTK 2 August 2022
CV580 N171FL
CV580 N181FL - to PTK 17 June 2022
CV580 N191FL - retired 2018
CV580 N991FL - to PTK 20 April 2022
CV5800 N351FL
CV5800 N361FL
CV5800 N371FL
CV5800 N381FL
CV5800 N391FL - to PTK 3 August 2022
R&R Holdings (Freighter)
CV580 N581P
CV580 XA-UPL
Raytheon
CV580 N580HH
Airborne Resources (Airborne Imaging)
C-131B N131CR
Conquest Air (Freighter)
C-131F N342GS
C-131F N343GS
C-131F N345GS
KF Aerospace (Freighter)
CV580 C-FKFZ
CV580 C-GKFF - stored less engines in Kelowna
CV580 C-GKFG
CV5800 C-GKFS
Government of Saskatchewan (Firebomber)
CV580 C-GSKR T471
CV580 C-GVSK T473
CV580 C-GYSK T474
CV580 C-GSKQ T475
National Research Council
CV580 C-FNRC
Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS)
CV580 VH-PDW
C-131D VH-TAA
Conair (Firebomber)
CV580 C-FKFA T452 (retired 12 Aug 2022)
CV580 C-FFKF T444 (retired 13 Sep 2022)
CV580 C-FKFL T449 (retired 13 Sep 2022)
CV580 C-FHKF T455 (retired 13 Sep 2022)
Conair CV580s Fly Home to Abbotsford Ending an Era - September 14, 2022 - (Updated November 13, 2022)
A week later than planned due to a late fire season, three Conair CV580 firebombers departed Penticton, B.C. for the last time on September 13th and flew home to Conair s home base in Abbotsford for retirement. C-FFKF T444, C-FKFL T449 and C-FHKF T455 departed shortly after 6:15pm PDT and arrived in Abbotsford about 45 minutes later. C-FKFA T452 returned to Abbotsford from its Alaskan assignment on August 12th so yesterday s return of the three Convairs marked the end of an era for these iconic aircraft and they will definitely be missed by aviation enthusiasts. Their Dash 8-400 s replacements might be more efficient but they are definitely not as sexy! The departure also meant the retirement of veteran pilot Grahame "Whisky" Wilson, who marked the event by dropping a final load of water over the runway at Penticton. Here s a link to an article posted on the pentictonnow.com website. UPDATE...The November/December 2022 issue of Canadian Aviator had a nice article about the retirement of Conair's Convairs.
KF Aerospace Center for Excellence Opens in Kelowna - September 12, 2022
John Olafson recently sent me an email with the exciting news of a new aviation museum opening in Kelowna, B.C. "The KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence just opened this week at Kelowna Airport. It s the dream of Barry Lapointe, founder and President of Kelowna Flightcraft to build a facility like this and it s a beautiful museum and convention center all in one. The star of the museum is the deHavilland Mosquito, one of only five airworthy examples in existence. Two aircraft you will be interested in are the CV580 N580HW which is now retired and on permanent display there. Its parked on the outside and looks great and it s a special one due to the research work it did for years and that its construction number is number 2."
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"The building features several other aircraft and many interesting displays depicting the history and accomplishments of Kelowna Flightcraft. It is shaped like an airplane viewed from above and the roof is designed to look from the front like the leading edge of wings. I am fortunate to live just half an hour away, so I will visit often. "
Conair Set to Retire Remaining CV580 Firebombers - September 11, 2022
As reported on this website on May 26, 2022 and July 9, 2022 it appears that it s the end of the line for the three Convair CV580 firebombers (C-FFKF T444, C-FKFL T449 and C-FHKF T455) that were assigned to Penticton Regional Airport for the 2022 fire season. The CASTANET.net website reports that the three Convairs were due to depart Penticton on September 6th but FlightAware reports that all three made return flights to the airport on September 10th and have not flown since. After 25+ years of service with Conair, the Convairs will be replaced by Dash 8-400 s. Very sad indeed!
In addition to the three aircraft assigned to Penticton, CV580 C-FKFA T452 was assigned to Alaska. This aircraft returned to Conair s home base in Abbotsford from Ketchikan, Alaska on August 12, 2022 after completion of its final firefighting assignment. At least two of the Convairs are slated to go to museums with C-FFKF #444 going to the KF Aerospace Center for Excellence in Kelowna and another to the British Columbia Aviation Museum in Victoria.
Two More Convairs Scrapped - August 25, 2022 - Updated September 12, 2022
It s been a bad year for Convair retirements and scrappings. Former FAA CV580s N39 and N49 were recently scrapped at Kelowna, B.C with Tristin Kenney photographing their remains, which consisted of a pile of scrap metal. Both had 60+ year careers with the FAA having been delivered new to the agency in 1958. Their U.S. civil registrations were canceled in October 2019 and the disassembled remains of both were trucked north to Kelowna, where KF Aerospace is headquartered.
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British Columbia Propliner/Firebomber Report - July 9, 2022
Martin Cooper visited Abbotsford and Penticton, British Columbia on July 8, 2022 and noted the following Propliners/Firebombers.
-Abbotsford International Airport-
Between the Conair hangars
- L-188 Electra C-FYYJ T460 - no props but otherwise appeared complete.
University of the Fraiser Valley
- CS2F-2 C-GEQC T504
- CS2F-2 C-GEQE T506
Both are former Saskatchewan Air Tankers looking unloved but complete.
- Lockheed Lodestar CF-TCY
- Unidentified bare meal S2
Both were also noted in this April 9, 2022 report.
Cascade Aerospace
- C-GFBP appeared to be under conversion to CL-215T wearing yellow with red stripe as Manitoba aircraft or similar
- Unidentified yellow CL-215T with black/white/black cheatline
- S-2 Firecat C-GHDY T573 ex Conair also looking unloved
-Penticton Municipal Airport-
All aircraft departed at approx. 13.30 returning approximately 50 minutes later. I later found out this was a weekly training flight carried out presumably if there is no other activity. Talking to one of the CV580 crew members he noted that whilst there has been no official announcement and the last few years have been rumored to the Conair s last year the crews believe that when this year s contract with British Columbia ends on 7 September that will be the end of Conair CV580 operations.
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- CV580 C-FFKF T444
- CV580 C-FKFL T449
- CV580 C-FHKF T455
Opa-locka Airport Visit - July 4, 2022
I visited Opa-locka Airport on Monday June 27, 2022 and photographed the few remaining Propliners that call the airport home. Florida Air Cargo operates DC-3s N15MA, N138FS "Snoopy" and N271SE with Conquest Air Cargo operating CV340/C-131s N342GS "Trumman", N343GS "Uriel" and N345GS "Alice". Conquest also wet leases a single CV580 from IFL Group. The day of my visit, CV580 N171FL departed with a load of cargo to Nassau as did CV340/C-131 N145GS. Florida Air Cargo typically flies to Nassau Tuesday thru Friday so there were no DC-3 flights the day of my visit. In addition Atlantic Air Cargo operates a single DC-3 N705GB. These aircraft are primarily used on the Opa-locka to Nassau run hauling general cargo but also fly occasionally to destinations throughout the Caribbean. Business is very good which keeps the airplanes busy. There are no more stored or derelict Propliners on the field, which has been taken over by corporate jets...they are everywhere!
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Buffalo Airways Red Deer Update - June 21, 2022
John Olafson visited Red Deer Regional Airport on June 1, 2022 and provided the following update to Mike Goberg s March 21, 2022 report. "I was at Red Deer on June 1st and there was not much to see. The three former Conair Convairs were there and they had G-GYXC in the hangar and it was likely being stripped of anything of value. I could see nothing on the Air Spray ramp and the only thing of interest of Buffalo was DC-4 C-GBNV and it appears to be complete. Maybe its going to be doing some spraying. And C-FDTD was still there but in full view through the fence. Once again, no airside access."
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CV580 Makes Final Flight to Museum - May 27, 2022
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Update on Phoenix CV640 - May 26, 2022
As reported on May 12, 2022, Aeronaves TSM CV640 XA-UMI has been parked at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) since August 16, 2021. AirNav RadarBox shows it departing PHX and returning to the airport after a short 18-minute flight. Cole McAndrew reports the reason for the return to PHX was an engine fire and that that the aircraft s titles and registration have been painted over. Joshua Golabi photographed the aircraft on May 25, 2022 and confirms that the right engine sustained fire damage and the titles have been removed. I suspect that there s a good chance that the aircraft has been abandoned since the cost of cutting it up is probably higher than its scrap value. Many thanks to Cole and Joshua for their reports and photos.
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Conair CV580 Update - May 26, 2022
Conair has been drawing down its CV580 fleet and John Olafson reports that only four remain in service. They have served Conair well over the years and this fire season it probably the last for these aircraft. John visited Penticton, B.C. on May 17, 2022 and provided the following report and photos.
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End of the Line for Mexican CV640 Freighters - May 12, 2022
I recently received a report that Aeronaves TSM CV640 XA-UMI was parked at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX). Like many turboprop Convair operators, Aeronaves TSM has retired its aging fleet over the past few years with XA-UMI and XA-UTW soldiering on until at least mid-2021 according to FlightAware records. It appears that XA-UJI and XA-URL made their final flights for Aeronaves TSM in 2019 with XA-UNH being retired after its September 20, 2017 wheels-up landing at Saltillo, Mexico. AirNav RadarBox shows XA-UMI making an 18-minute flight on August 16, 2021, departing and then returning to PHX. With all of the other CV640 s retired in Mexico, one has to wonder why XA-UMI has been parked at PHX perhaps a mechanical issue? Cole McAndrews photo of XA-UMI was taken at PHX on January 21, 2021; Jason Whitebird's photo of XA-UTW was taken at PHX on May 21, 2021; and Paul Filmer's photos were taken at Saltillo, Mexico on February 22, 2018. Notice the curled prop tips on Paul's photo of XA-UNH.
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CV440 Remains Extant at Norwegian Airport - May 7, 2022
In July 2019 Antti Hyv rinen noted the fuselage of former SAS CV440 LN-MAP parked adjacent to runway 1R/19L at Oslo s Gardermoen Airport. Ola Carlsson recently confirmed that the fuselage is still at the airport parked on a trailer adjacent to the runway 01R threshold and forwarded a photo taken on April 22, 2022. Simon Barker photographed the fuselage almost ten years ago in September 2012. Even then it looked a bit down and out and ten more years of Norwegian weather haven't improved its condition. On the positive side, at least it hasn t been scrapped and perhaps there s a small chance that some organization may see fit to save at least part of it.
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CV240 Remains Extant at South Florida Airport - April 11, 2022
As reported by Andrew Rowbotham on September 12, 2020, former Miami Air Lease CV240/T-29B N150PA was being stored in what appeared to be near-airworthy condition at Miami-Homestead GA Airport. Graham Robson visited the airport on April 3, 2022 and I m happy to pass on his report that the aircraft is still parked there and appears to be well taken care of. "Convair T-29B N150PA at Homestead General this afternoon. Wearing small 'Operated by Charterlines' titles on the forward fuselage, it hasn't flown in a few years but, reportedly, had carried out occasional engine runs in the past 12 months.".
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Buffalo Airways Red Deer Update - March 21, 2022
Mike Golberg visited Red Deer Regional Airport on March 19, 2022 and photographed a number of Buffalo Airways aircraft from the fence line. Since John Olafson s September 2, 2021 visit to the airport, former Conair CV580 s C-GKFO #53 and C-FKFM #54 have arrived joining C-GYXC #42 and C-FKFB #47. While Buffalo doesn t fly Convairs, valuable engines and other components have been harvested for the company s Electras and smart money have the Convairs eventually being scrapped. Like John, Mike was not able gain airside access and his photos are over and through the fence. The photos provide a sense of what s happening with Buffalo at the airport and are much appreciated. Many thanks to Mike for sharing his report and photos.
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Six More Convairs Scrapped - October 30, 2021 - Updated November 1, 2021
The bad news just keeps on coming with Carl Kuhns reporting that six former Air Tahoma Convairs are being scrapped at Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio. "During the week of September 27, 2021 at Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus Ohio, six Air Tahoma Convair Twins were scrapped. Sources told me there were one Convair 240, and five Convair 580 s. From my limited view behind a fence, I could see that the Convairs had no engines or props. I have attached two photos of the site." Editor's Note: While I can t be sure, but it appears that the aircraft in the background of the first photo appears to be CV240 N156PA, which was still reported to be at Rickenbacker as late as 2016.
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Restoration of Paraguayan CV240 Continues - September 22, 2021
As reported on May 15, 2021, a group of Paraguayan aviation enthusiasts have rescued former Lineas Aereas Paraguayas CV240 ZP-CDO in Asuncion, Paraguay and are restoring her for static display. Alejandro J. Davalos Sotomayor recently sent me an update on the group's progress and some photos. "The aircraft exterior has been washed; the radar nose painted; a new cabin floor installed; and the interior and exterior of the aircraft are undergoing complete repair."
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Red Deer Regional Airport Update - September 2, 2021
John Olafson recently visited Red Deer Regional Airport in Alberta, Canada and forwarded a report and photos. On July 29th I reported that Air Spray was building a new RADS II tank system and the obvious question at the time was what Electra would be pulled out of the boneyard for restoration. John reports that former Honduran Air Force C-GNPB had been moved to the active ramp and perhaps this long-stored airframe might be Air Spray s next tanker conversion or perhaps not. Only time will tell.
Former Conair CV580 C-FKFB #47 is a recent arrival at Red Deer and joins CV580 C-GYXC #42, which arrived some time ago. Buffalo obviously acquired them for their Allison engines since it doesn t operate CV580 s. With that said, here s John s report.
I was at Red Deer on August 25th, and sadly, and unfortunately I could not access either Air Spray or Buffalo facilities. Air Spray s director of safety was unavailable and nobody was there who was authorized to let me in. Same at Buffalo, although a sympathetic chap let me inside the gate but no further. Very disappointing. Maybe this is yet another airport where access inside is going to be near impossible. I hope not.
It looks like many of Buffalo s stored aircraft have been moved away from the back field and are seen close to their hangars, behind locked gates and fences. Maybe that back storage area is earmarked for something else.
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Many thanks to John for sharing his report and photos.
CV580 Combi Makes Final Scheduled Flight - July 29, 2021
As reported on October 7, 2020, Air Chathams is retiring its CV580s in 2021. CV580 Combi ZK-CIB made her last scheduled passenger/freight flight on July 23, 2021 from Wellington International Airport to the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. It s not quite the end of the line for the Convair as she still has a few charter flights left to complete. The aircraft was built in 1953 as a CV340 and converted to a CV580 in 1969 by North Central Airlines. It was acquired by Air Chathams in May 1996 and has been in service with the airline ever since. Tim Gorman/ZKaviation photographed the aircraft at Wellington International Airport on the 23rd being loaded, taxiing out to a water salute from the Wellington Airport Fire Service and its takeoff on runway 16. For more information, check out my June 7, 2021 and July 4, 2021 reports.
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June 2021 Abbotsford Propliner Update - July 27, 2021
Ken Swartz visited Conair Aerial Firefighting at Abbotsford International Airport on June 21, 2021 and provided the following report and photos. "I walked the ramp at Conair at Abbotsford Airport today! The DC-6Bs are long gone but I did see the following air tankers - one L-188 Electra; three Convair 580s (two with tanks removed); one RJ85; one AT-802; one FireBoss; plus one former FlyBe Q400. I also noted former Atlantic Airliners Electra C-GYCG and S-2 FireCats C-GHDY T73 and C-FJOH T76 stored across the field at Cascade Aerospace for Buffalo Airways. In addition, Government of Saskatchewan S-2 Trackers C-GEQC T504 and C-GEQE T506 and one unmarked former Canadian Navy Tracker were stored at The University of The Fraser Valley s Aerospace Centre. The Navy Tracker has been there since 2006."
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For more information about Conair s operations, check out Ken s article in the current issue of Skies, Canada s national aviation magazine.
Buffalo Airways Acquires CV580 - July 26, 2021
Buffalo Airways recently acquired C-GYXC T42 from Conair Aerial Firefighting. As reported on May 19, 2021, Conair is modernizing its tanker fleet and will be retiring its fleet of CV580 firebombers over the next few years. As reported on Ruud Leeuw s Aviation History and Photography website, Buffalo acquired the aircraft for its engines and posted of photo of the aircraft at Conair s base in Abbotsford, BC. Ty Novak posted photos of the aircraft parked engineless at Buffalo s maintenance base at Red Deer, AB, still in Conair colors. The engines are undoubtedly going to be used to keep Buffalo s Electras flying. Many thanks to Ty for allowing me to post his photos.
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Time is Short for New Zealand CV580 - July 4, 2021
As reported on June 7, 2021 Air Chathams is retiring its remaining CV-580s in 2021 with ZK-CIE already put out to pasture. The airline plans on retiring its last CV580 in September and Tim Gorman/ZKaviation photographed ZK-CIB departing Wellington International Airport a few days ago on July 2nd. This aircraft is operated in a "combi" configuration and is probably the last passenger carrying Convair in operation.
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Four More Convairs Scrapped in May - June 19, 2021
As reported on May 23rd, former Norlinor CV580 C-FTAP has been saved from the scrapman and was donated to the Time Air Historical Society, where it will be preserved and put on static display. That s the good news the bad news is that the remaining Norlinor CV580 fleet was scrapped at Mirabel, Quebec in May 2021. The aircraft scrapped were C-FAWV, C-FHNM, C-GQHB and C-GRLQ. Ken Swartz forwarded the following report and photos. "Air Spray bought Nolinor s fleet of Convair 580s for their Allison 501 engines and propellers to keep its fleet of Lockheed L-188 flying. Apparently, a condition of the sale was that the Convair 580s had to be removed within 30 days since their parking spot at Nolinor was going to be redeveloped. Most of the Conair s were scrapped at Mirabel International Airport in May 2021, with the exception of C-FTAP which was donated by Air Spray to the Time Air Historical Society in Lethbridge, Alberta. This aircraft has to be removed from the airport within six months." many thanks to Ken for his report and photos.
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Alaskan Convair Scrapped - June 12, 2021
On April 2, 2021 I reported that CV240/T-29 N153PA was scheduled to be scrapped in the very near future. On June 4th, with her engines and other useful components removed, the aircraft was reduced to a pile of metal at Anchorage International Airport. The Convair had not flown for many years and didn t fit Desert Air Alaska s business plan.
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CV580 Retired From Passenger Service - June 7, 2021
On October 7, 2020, this website reported that New Zealand operator Air Chathams planned on retiring its CV580 aircraft in 2021 and replacing them with ATR-72s. Sadly this has come to pass with Tim Gorman/ZKaviation reporting that Air Chathams recently retired CV580 ZK-CIE, which had been in service with the airline since 1997. "The last airworthy fully passenger configured Convair 580 in scheduled service in the world, ZK-CIE is grounded, and will after 64 years not fly again. Air Chathams final remaining Convair 580 ZK-CIB is a "Combi" which has the capability of carrying passengers and freight at the same time." With Air Chathams reporting that all CV580s will be retired by September 2021, there s not too much time left to get a ride on ZK-CIB. If you can t hitch a ride on the real thing, AIRCLIPS has produced a 31 minute video documenting a flight onboard ZK-CIE that is very much worth watching.
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Convair Eludes the Scrapman - May 23, 2021
As reported on May 3rd, former Nolinor Aviation CV580 C-FTAP was in imminent danger of being scrapped. I m happy to report that the aircraft has been spared and was recently acquired by the Time Air Historical Society. It was the last passenger configured CV580 operating in North American. Since the engines have been removed, it will be transported from Montreal to Lethbridge, Alberta by road. With Conair retiring its CV580 fleet, hopefully a set of runout Allisons and props can be acquired for the aircraft. The society announced the acquisition in a quirky video that was recently posted on YouTube. With all the bad Convair news lately, this is great news indeed and kudos to the society for saving this aircraft.
Conair Fleet Modernization Update - May 19, 2021
As reported on March 1st and April 5th, Conair is replacing its vintage Electra and CV580 firebombers with Q400s. Ken Swartz recently provided some additional insight. "Conair retired L-188 C-FYYJ T60 last year and replaced it with a Q400AT for the 2021 season. The engines and propellers from the Electra will be used to support the eight aircraft CV580 fleet. Alaska s Department of Natural Resources is contracting one Q400AT and one Convair 580 this summer. Conair bought two Q400s from Angola in 2019 and 11 ex-FlyBe Q400s in January 2021. They have the capacity to convert three to four Q400s to air tankers a year since they also have to maintain more than 60 aircraft in their current fleet. Conair still has to deliver three Q400MR s to France under an existing contract. Since the Dash 8-400 production line is pausing this summer, they have bought two aircraft off the production line now ahead of the scheduled delivery date to France."
Paraguayan CV240 Rescue - May 15, 2021 - Updated May 18, 2021
After all the recent bad news regarding twin Convairs, there is finally some good news. A group of Paraguayan aviation enthusiasts have set out to rescue former Lineas Aereas Paraguayas - LAP CV240 ZP-CDO from its longtime parking spot at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asuncion, Paraguay. The aircraft flew for LAP from 1963 to 1972, when it was retired and parked at the airport. It was placed on display in 1997 and time has definitely taken its toll on the aircraft. On May 1, 2021 volunteers moved it from this location to a hangar at the airport where it will undergo restoration and eventually placed on display. There are no plans to make the aircraft airworthy. Ron Mak photographed the Convair in 1979 and Arie Meijvogel in 2010, 2016 and 2019. It's good to see that the #2 top engine cowling that was missing in the 2016 photo was back in place in 2019.
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Another Convair Faces Scrapping - May 3, 2021
The Time Air Historic Society recently reported on Facebook that the engines have been removed from Nolinor Aviation CV580 C-FTAP and that the aircraft is in imminent danger of being scrapped. The engines were reportedly sold to Air Spray. This former Time Air aircraft and its possible demise is but another example of the slow but steady decline in the population of both airworthy and non-airworthy twin Convairs.
Q400 Firebomber to Replace CV580s - April 5, 2021 - Updated April 16, 2021 & June 5, 2021
As reported on March 1, 2021, Conair has already retired Electra C-FYYJ and plans on retiring their fleet of CV580 firebombers over the next few years. They will be replaced with former Flybe Q400 s. G-KKEV arrived in late February and is already well into the conversion process at Conair s maintenance facility in Abbotsford, BC. By mid-March the aircraft s interior has been stripped down to the bare airframe, which will reduce weight and maximize its fire retardant load. The conversion is expected to take about 75 days and a second Q400, G-ECOJ, arrived in Abbotsford in late March. Conair has acquired eleven former Flybe Q400's and, doing the math, it should take about two years to convert all of them to firebombers. So---best case, the iconic Convairs will remain in service for two more years. They have been around for many years and will be missed! For more information, check out this February 24, 2021 FlightGlobal article.
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Ken also wrote an interesting article about Conair's Dash 8-Q400 conversion program in the June/July 2021 digital issue of Skies Magazine.
Another Convair to be Scrapped - April 2, 2021
I recently received a report that Desert Air CV240/T-29 N153PA was going to be scrapped in the very near future with its two R2800 engines going to Everts. I contacted Desert Air owner Joey Benetka who confirmed that indeed the aircraft is being scrapped. While N153PA appeared to be in good condition, it hadn t flown for many years and didn t fit into Joey s business plan. Joey plans on operating the DC-3 for years to come so this is yet another example of the DC-3 outlasting its so-called "replacement."
Conair Replacing Electra and CV580s with Q400s - March 1, 2021
Conair has retired Electra C-FYYJ Tanker #60 and it was recently noted parked engineless at Conair s Abbotsford, BC base. The Electra will be replaced, along with the CV580s over the next few years by eleven former Flybe Q400s. According to an article published on the Fire Aviation website, the first Q400 has arrived in Abbotsford after the long ferry flight from Europe. It s sad that the Electra and Convairs are being retired and hopefully some will find homes with other operators. I've included a photo taken of the Electra in better times by John Olafson at Campbell River, BC on September 3, 2015.
Opa-locka Airport Visit - February 23, 2021
I visited Conquest Air Cargo at Opa-locka Airport (OPF) on February 18, 2021 and I'm happy to report that the company appears to be prospering in these uncertain times. It had been two years since I last visited with Tony Merton Jones in January 2019 and during this time the airport has undergone an amazing transformation. The Miami Air Lease hangar has been torn down; the Concours Club two mile racetrack has been completed and is surrounded by a tall wall; Bombardier is building a 300,000 square foot service center at the east end of the airport; and sleek executive jets have replaced the once plentiful Propliners that once called OPF home. Business appears to be very good at the field s two FBOs; Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation.
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I d like to thank Carlos, Martin and all the folks I met during my visit for their hospitality. It was a nice visit and hopefully it won t be two years before I visit again.
FCA Airparts Salvage Yard - October 21, 2020
When CV240 N1022C was scrapped at Apopka, Florida in July 2020, its major components scattered to various destinations. The R2800 engines went to an engine rebuilder in California; interior components to Scroggins Aviation Mockup & Effects in California; the fuselage to a nearby scrapyard in Apopka; and the nose section to the FCA Airparts salvage yard in Leesburg, Florida. Leesburg is no more than a 20 minute drive from my home and after calling ahead to get an OK for the visit, I headed to Leesburg to have a look around the yard. I ve passed by the yard many times but, since it contained mostly small general aviation aircraft and bizjets, it didn t pique my interest until the CV240 nose section took up residence. I ve owned and flown a number of GA aircraft and, other than being surprised by the number of aircraft carcasses inside the yard, I was a bit saddened by the sight. Each one of these aircraft had been someone s pride and joy at one time and was now just so much discarded scrap metal. The Convair nose section stood out and I quickly photographed it before moving onto to take a slow walk around the yard.
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Air Chathams Announces CV580 Phased Retirement - October 07, 2020
Air Chathams recently announced that it will be retiring its CV580 fleet in 2021. 'The pandemic has changed the size of our business and as such we have been required to relook at what we do and how we do it. Through that process we have decided to expedite the transition of the ATR-72 onto the Chatham Islands service. We are excited to announce that this is only a few weeks away from happening. Our beautiful Convairs will remain in operation through until 2021 when we will start to phase them out completely. It will be a sad day when we witness our last Convair service. They have been the backbone of our airline for a quarter century!' The company currently operates 50-pax ZK-CIE; freighter ZK-KFL; and combi ZK-CIB.
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OLD NEWS - Miami Air Lease Ceases Operations - July 31, 2020 - UPDATED September 12, 2020
I haven t been to Opa-locka Airport (OPF) for quite a while so I totally missed the news that Miami Air Lease had ceased operations over a year ago. I knew that CV440 N41527 had been grounded for a number of years due to a failed engine but had seen CV240 N150PA in action as late as June 2017 making flights to the Bahamas. I reported on March 6, 2020 that the CV440 had been scrapped. What I totally missed was that Miami Air Lease had ceased flying altogether and that N150PA had been flown to Miami Homestead General Aviation Airport on November 12, 2019 and parked.
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Apopka CV240 Scrapped - July 28, 2020
While it came as no big surprise, it's sad to note that CV240 N1022C was cut up this past weekend at Orlando-Apopka Airport in Florida. Doug Scroggins acquired the airplane in 2017 from the Museum of Commercial Aviation and had been unsuccessful in his quest to find a new home for it. Even though it had an original Mohawk Airlines passenger interior, none of the museums Doug contacted were interested in the aircraft.
The Convair was delivered to American Airlines as N94270 in February 1949 and flew for the airline for 10+ years before being sold to Mohawk Airlines in November 1959. Mohawk traded it to Fairchild in January 1967 as partial payment on the new FH227 s that the airline was buying from Fairchild. For the next 14 years it was owned/operated by a number of leasing companies and small airlines before Trans Florida Airlines acquired it in 1981. TFA operated it around Florida until the mid-1990s when it was parked at Daytona Beach International Airport with a number of the airline s other Convairs.
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Dynamic Aviation Acquires C-131F BuNo 141025 - June 28, 2020
Dynamic Aviation recently acquired former U.S. Navy C-131F/CV340 BuNo 141025 from Carlos Gomez. Carlos had purchased the Convair from the Australian museum group Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) earlier in 2020, with the thought of possibly converting it to a freighter or using it as a spares airplane. As reported on April 11, 2019, the aircraft had become redundant to the museum's needs as a result of their 2016 acquisition of former Rovos Air CV340 ZS-ARV. HARS acquired 141025 about 15 years ago and it was moved to the restoration area of Pima Air & Space Museum. HARS volunteers had been working on it off and on since February 2008 preparing it for its anticipated Tucson to Sydney, Australia delivery flight.
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Conquest Air Cargo Update - June 28, 2020
Conquest Air Cargo has supplemented its fleet of three CV340/C-131F aircraft with a CV580 leased from IFL Group. The lease includes flightcrew and Carlos Gomez confirmed that operations began about two months ago. While the CV340s operate under Conquest s Part 135 certificate limiting their load to 7,500 pounds, the CV580 is operated under IFL s Part 121 certificate with no such limit. As a result, the CV580 can carry roughly double the load of Conquest aircraft at comparable operating costs.
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Propliner Nose Sections Stored at Mojave Air and Space Port - May 8, 2020
Scroggins Aviation Mockups and Effects provides aviation props for the motion picture and television industry. While based out of Las Vegas, Nevada, the company maintains a storage facility at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. In addition to a multitude of jet airliner equipment, including an intact CV880 and CV990, the company currently stores the following forward fuselage sections at the facility: DC-7, DC-7C, CV240, two CV340s, DC-6, KC-97 and F-27.
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NTSB Releases Final Report on Conquest Air Cargo Convair Crash - April 11, 2020
The NTSB released its final report on the February 8, 2019 crash of Conquest Air Cargo's CV340/C-131F N145GT. The aircraft crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on its return flight from Nassau, where it had dropped off a load of cargo. The report attributes the accident to the captain s decision to continue with the flight with a malfunctioning left engine propeller control and the subsequent loss of engine power on both engines for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the first officer s failure to challenge the captain. While the first officer survived, sadly the captain was killed in the accident.
Former Miami Air Lease CV440 Scrapped at Opa-locka Airport - March 6, 2020
As reported on September 16, 2019, Conquest Air Cargo acquired former Miami Air Lease CV440 N41527 for spare parts. Conquest wasted little time in harvesting the Convair's valuable parts as evidenced by Ricardo Jimenez's recent photo. Up until just a few years ago, N41527 was active with Miami Air Lease flying cargo out of Opa-locka. While I'm sorry to see another Propliner scrapped, its parts will help ensure that Conquest's three Convairs continue flying.
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NTSB Issues "Aviation Accident Factual Report" on Conquest Air Cargo C-131B Crash - December 23, 2019
The NTSB recently issued an Aviation Accident Factual Report about the February 8, 2019 crash of C-131B N145GT.
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The accident occurred during a return trip to OPF. The first officer stated that, for the first flight of the day (from OPF to MYNN), the preflight inspection, engine start, taxi, and engine run-up were normal and that about 900 gallons of fuel was on board. The flight to MYNN was normal until the first officer, who was the pilot monitoring, attempted to adjust the left engine propeller control for the speed for cruise flight, yet there was no movement on the gauge, and the power was stuck at 2,400 rpm. The first officer tried to reset the propeller control circuit breaker but was unable to do so. The captain stabilized power on both engines, and the remainder of the flight to MYNN was uneventful. After the airplane landed, the captain asked the first officer to send a text message to maintenance control, but the message did not transmit. The captain told the first officer not to worry and indicated that, if they were unable to reset the propeller control on the ground during the engine run-up, then they would shut down the airplane and call maintenance.
The first officer stated that, before the accident flight began, the engines started normally, and both propellers were cycled. The captain and the first officer were able to reset the left propeller control, so the airplane departed for OPF. The first officer was the pilot flying, and he stated that the airplane was operating normally during the takeoff and initial climb; however, as the airplane climbed through 4,000 ft, the left engine propeller control stopped working, and the power was again stuck at 2,400 rpm. The captain tried to adjust the propeller control and inadvertently increased power to 2,700 rpm. The captain then took control of the airplane and stabilized the power on both engines. He leveled the airplane at 4,500 ft, canceled the IFR flight plan, and flew via visual flight rules direct to OPF. The first officer suggested that they return to MYNN, but the captain wanted to continue to OPF (OPF was located about 160 nautical miles west-northwest of MYNN). The first officer indicated that he did not want to disagree with the captain's decision given the captain's "extensive" experience.
The flight proceeded normally until the beginning of the descent (the first officer did not remember the altitude) to 1,500 ft, when the right engine began to surge and lose power. The first officer stated that the captain turned on both boost pumps and tried to stabilize the right engine with the mixture and throttle but that the engine began to backfire and shake "violently" with variations in the brake mean effective pressure (BMEP), fuel pressure, fuel flow indications, rpm, and manifold pressure. At that point, the flight crew performed the engine failure emergency checklist. As part of the checklist, the right engine was feathered, and the mixture was brought to the cutoff position. The first officer reported that, shortly afterward, the left engine also began to surge and shake "violently" with the same variations experienced after the right engine began to surge. At that point, the captain tried to control the left engine, and the first officer declared an emergency.
The first officer stated that, as the captain maneuvered the airplane to ditch, the airplane impacted the water "violently." During the impact, the first officer struck his head hard on the instrument panel. The first officer unbuckled his harness and saw the captain slumped over in his seat and unresponsive. He tried to lift the captain from his seat but was not able to do so. The first officer realized that he needed to get out of the airplane when the water inside the cockpit was chest high. The first officer stated that he kicked open the cockpit door and saw that the tail had separated from the empennage. He grabbed the life raft and exited from the tail of the airplane. He was rescued by a US Coast Guard helicopter.
The first officer stated that he did not know what caused the engines to lose power. According to the operator, "at the first sign of a mechanical malfunction the crew should have landed as soon as practicable."
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The captain held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multiengine land and instrument airplane. He held type ratings for the Boeing 727 and 737; the Convair 240, 340, and 440; and LR-JET. The operator reported that the captain had 23,000 hours total flight experience, of which 725 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. The captain also held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first-class medical certificate dated January 22, 2019.
The first officer held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multiengine land and instrument airplane. He held type ratings in the Convair 240, 340, and 440 (second-in-command privileges only). The operator reported that the first officer had 650 hours total flight experience, of which 305 hours were in the accident airplane. The first officer also held an FAA first-class medical dated August 25, 2018.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The airplane was equipped with two Pratt & Whitney R-2800CB3 radial engines and two Hamilton Sunstrand 43E60-377 propellers that were being maintained under an approved aircraft inspection program. The airplane's last inspection was on the day before the accident. At that time, the left engine had accrued 1,943 hours, the right engine had accrued about 417 hours, and the airframe had accrued about 12,701 hours.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
The left wing washed ashore. The rest of the airplane was not recovered from the ocean. Thus, the engines could not be examined and tested to determine the cause of the failures.
Oakland County International Airport Convairs - October 27, 2019
Oakland County International Airport (PTK), Michigan is home to IFL Group headquarters and the company's maintenance base. IFL operates a fleet of CV580/CV5800 aircraft and Karl Smalley reports that on October 12, 2019 there was a C-131F and two CV580 aircraft stored adjacent to the company s maintenance hangar. C-131F N8149P was acquired in June 2011 and is a former Beaufort County Mosquito Control (South Carolina) bug sprayer. In June 2016 it was advertised for sale for $75,000 but apparently there were no takers. CV580s N51211 and N51255 were acquired from General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Inc. in October 2011. They were purchased as parts airplanes since neither aircraft has a cargo door.
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Final Accident Report - CV 340 ZS-BRV - September 26, 2019
The South African Civil Aviation Authority issued a final report on the July 10, 2018 accident involving CV340 ZS-BRV. It s very interesting reading about a very tragic event.
CV440 Crashes on Final Approach to Toledo-Express Airport - September 16, 2019
CV440 N24DR was totally destroyed and two crew members killed when it crashed and caught fire on final approach to Toledo-Express Airport (TOL) at 2:38am on September 11, 2019. The aircraft had departed Millington-Memphis Airport (NQA) and was less than a mile from the runway threshold at TOL when it crashed into the parking lot of Bubba s Mobile Truck Repair & Heavy Duty Towing. FAA records indicate the aircraft was owned by Douglas R. Taylor, who was identified as one of the crewmembers killed in the crash.
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Conquest Air Cargo Acquires CV440 - September 16, 2019
Conquest Air Cargo acquired former Miami Air Lease CV440 N41527 in August 2019. The aircraft experienced an engine failure a few years ago and hasn t flown since. I spoke to Conquest Air Cargo co-owner Carlos Gomez who told me that he plans on using the Convair as a spares airplane.
CV340 Delivered to Yankee Air Museum - September 16, 2019
As reported on February 10, 2019 the Yankee Air Museum acquired former Contract Air Cargo/IFL Group C-131B/CV340 N7813B in 2017 and was preparing it for the short ferry flight from Oakland County International Airport (PTK) to the museum s headquarters at Willow Run Airport (YIP) in Ypsilanti, MI. The flight was delayed in February due to a stack fire in one of the engines but on September 6, 2019, under the command of veteran Convair pilots Captain Jerry Nichols and Captain Gunner Ingle, the aircraft was ferried to Willow Run Airport. This was the aircraft's final flight as the museum plans on making it a static display. At this point it hasn t been decided in what colors the airplane will be painted. The below photos were taken shortly after the aircraft arrived at the museum.
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Former SAS Convair Lingers on at Oslo s Gardermoen Airport - July 7, 2019
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CV580 Fuselage for Sale - June 6, 2019
The remains of CV580 ZK-KFH were recently offered for sale in New Zealand. The aircraft was delivered to United Airlines in January 1953 as N73123 and went on to fly with Lake Central, Mountain West, NorFly, Ryan Air, All Canada Express, Air Freight NZ before finally being acquired by Air Chathams in 2007. The Convair has been stripped of useful components and the owner will remove the landing gear, wings and provide assistance in preparing the fuselage for transport. For more information about the aircraft, contact the owner by email at info@tasmanairframe.co.nz or telephone 0064 274 97 3658.
Honeywell Convair Retired - April 28, 2019
Honeywell retired CV580 N580HW earlier this month after a remarkable 67+ year flying career. According to an article posted on Honeywell's website, the airplane will soon make its way to Kelowna, BC where Barry LaPointe of KF Aerospace is planning an aviation museum. KF Aerospace currently holds the CV240-580 type certificate and, in years past, produced the stretched CV5800. N580HW was the second CV340 built and made its first flight in January 1952. It was used by Convair for development testing before delivery to United Airlines in September 1952 as N73102 Omaha. N73102 flew for United until 1966 when it was sold to Frontier Airlines and converted to a CV580 with the installation of Allison turboprop engines. Frontier operated the aircraft until 1979 when it went to Gem State Airlines. Stored at Marana in 1981 it went on to fly with Aspen Airways before Allied Signal acquired the aircraft in early 1992 and re-registered it N580AS. Honeywell acquired Allied Signal in 1999 and it was subsequently re-registered N580HW.
N580HW was a workhorse in the area of weather radar development. Stripped of its passenger interior, it was filled with a multitude of electronic equipment used to record data collected during test flights. Honeywell Engineers would use the data recorded on the test flights to create systems known today as the Enhanced Proximity Warning System (EPWS), Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), and the IntuVue RDR-4000 radar system.
The Convair leaves a legacy of helping Honeywell develop some of the most important safety innovations in the world of aviation. According to the Honeywell article, the aircraft has a total of 67,000 flight hours with 103,000 landings!
UPDATE: N580HW MADE HER FINAL FLIGHT FROM BOISE, IDAHO TO KELOWNA ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2019.
HARS C-131F For Sale - April 11, 2019
Jim Marshall issued a statement on Facebook yesterday announcing that Australia s Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) was selling their C-131F, which had been under restoration in Tucson, Arizona for a number of years. I m not sure how Jim is affiliated with HARS, but the statement appears to have been issued by the organization. "Reluctantly HARS (Australia's top aircraft museum) is prepared to part with this aircraft which is nearing flying condition due to our acquisition of a similar type [ VH-TAA] from South Africa. The aircraft was built as S/N 308 and as 141025 was delivered to the US Navy, its last major overhaul was on the 28 August 1982 and had flown 1359 .7 hours and 5741 landings when retired on the 18 Sep 1984." (editor's note...total hours are probably more likely to be in the neighborhood of 13,000 hours rather than the 1359.7 hours stated.)
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"The aircraft has a galley fitted [ex DC9] and a compliment of cabin chairs although it requires reupholstering as do the cockpit seats, there are a few instruments missing and the autopilot amplifier. There are a number of spares on board including a full set of new tires. All in all the aircraft is in good condition and could be brought to flying condition in a short time with a small crew. Further details are available from HARS President Bob De La Hunty through the HARS website."
The aircraft joins Desert Air s T-29B N153PA and IFL Group s C-131F N8149P on the used Convair sales market. With only a handful of piston engine Convairs still flying today, the market for these aircraft is very limited.
Desert Air Alaska Changes Ownership - March 1, 2019 (April 4, 2019 Update)
Joey Benetka recently announced that he had purchased Desert Air Alaska from longtime operator Dennis Gladwin. Desert Air is based at Anchorage International Airport and the airline owns two DC-3s and a T-29B/CV240. While the two DC-3s have been very active during my Alaska visits, I've never seen the Convair in action. When I was in Anchorage four years ago, the Convair was in excellent condition and I was told that it could be made airworthy quickly if demand warranted. The company s website states We fly freight to over 200 locations in Alaska. We can get your cargo to where it needs to be. Desert Air Alaska is a charter freight service offering large haul capacity to rural runways and remote sites. Smooth, direct and reliable - we have a host of services like HAZMAT and oversize freight accommodation with no extra handling fees. For more information about Desert Air, check out the company website. I wish Joey luck and hope to meet him when I visit Alaska in May.
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CV440 Soldiers On In Laredo, Texas - February 26, 2019 (Updated April 4, 2019)
Ron Lambert Jr. photographed CV440 N24DR on February 10, 2019 at Laredo International Airport. The aircraft is owned by Neal Wayne Barker and appears to be based at the airport. Loads often include auto parts and FlightAware shows that it's been quite busy lately with multiple flights in November and December 2018 and February 2019. No flights were recorded in January when perhaps the aircraft was undergoing maintenance. N24DR was delivered to SAS as OY-KPD in January 1957 and flew for the airline until it was sold to Linjeflyg as SE-CCV in November 1969. It went to Great Lakes Airlines as CF-GLM in July 1973 and to 393 Inc as N24DR in May 1977. The Convair passed through a few more owners before Neal Wayne Barker acquired it in December 1994.
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Freddie Poitevent photographed the Convair at Meridian Regional Airport (MEI), Mississippi on March 9, 2019. Freddie recently reported on Facebook that the Convair regularly stops at the airport for fuel. Thanks much to Freddie for sharing his photos.
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NTSB Issues Prelimary Report on Convair Crash - February 25, 2019
The NTSB released its preliminary accident report on the February 8, 2019 crash of Conquest Air Cargo CV340/C-131B N145GT.
Conquest Air Cargo Convair Ditches in Atlantic - February 10, 2019
Conquest Air Cargo C-131B (CV340) N145GT ditched in the Atlantic Ocean at 12:15pm on February 8, 2019 about 19 miles east of its destination Opa-locka Airport (OPF). The aircraft had completed a routine cargo flight to the Bahamas and was returning to OPF when the pilots declared an emergency. As luck would have it, a US Coast Guard helicopter was in the vicinity and the co-pilot, Rolland Silva, was quickly located in a small inflatable life raft and rescued. Additional rescue boats arrived shortly and the search continued for 21 hours for the missing pilot but no signs of Captain Robert Hopkins were found and the search was called off. The aircraft apparently broke up while attempting the water landing as the left wing was found floating in the ocean. The Convair was delivered to the USAF in 1955 and had been operated by Conquest since 2013.
Yankee Air Museum Acquires Former Contract Air Cargo Convair - February 10, 2019
The Yankee Air Museum acquired former Contract Air Cargo/IFL Group C-131B/CV340 N7813B in 2017. The aircraft had been stored at Oakland County International Airport in Pontiac, Michigan for a number of years and the museum hoped to get the airplane airworthy for the short ferry flight to museum headquarters in Ypsilanti, Michigan. There was a stack fire during engine testing and the project has now been put on hold.
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CV580 Scrapped in El Paso - February 10, 2019
April 2018 saw the demise of another CV580, when N4805C was scrapped at El Paso International Airport. After a 36-year airline career with Delta, North Central, Republic and Northwest Airlines, the Convair passed through a number of small operators before being parked in El Paso in 1997. Stripped of her remaining useful spare parts, the fuselage was cut in two and transported to a local scrapyard for disposal.
Air Tribe CV580 Damaged in Ground Incident - February 10, 2019
Air Tribe CV580 XA-TRB experienced an inadvertent undercarriage retraction on January 18, 2018 during a maintenance engine runup by mechanics at Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport. Photos of the incident show the aircraft sitting on its #2 engine cowling and partially retracted nose wheel with the prop shattered and a large tear on the right fuselage behind the cockpit. I ve also heard that the airplane suffered structural damage so it will probably be written off and scrapped.
Opa-locka CV580 News - February 10, 2019
Former Air Tahoma Convair 580 N581P arrived at Opa-locka Airport from Columbus, Ohio on November 8, 2011 and was stored outside the Miami Air Lease hangar in all-white Air Tahoma colors until the latter part of 2017. The aircraft is registered to R&R Holdings, which reportedly are the same folks that ran Air Tahoma before it ceased operations in 2009. Stripped to a bare metal finish, I noted N581P undergoing an extended engine runup at Opa-locka on December 30, 2017. The CV580 was flown to Brownsville, Texas in early 2018. R&R Holdings is also involved with the Mexican CV580 cargo carrier Air Tribe, which operates out of Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport. With the loss of CV580 XA-TRB in January 2018, it s entirely possible that N581P is currently flying for Air Tribe. Please email me if you can confirm this.
CV640 Damaged in Wheels-up Landing - February 10, 2019
Aeronaves TSM Convair 640 XA-UNH was damaged in gear-up landing at Plan de Guadalupe International Airport in Saltillo, Mexico during the early hours of September 20, 2017. The flight crew was unable to lower the landing gear and circled the airport burning off fuel until 2:20am when they landed without benefit of landing gear. While the damage from this type of incident is normally repairable, Dart powered CV640s are at the end of their operational life with the airline and the aircraft will probably be written off.
Dutch Aviodrome CV340 Crashes in South Africa - February 10, 2019
On July 10, 2018 CV340/C-131D ZS-BRV crashed shortly after takeoff from Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria after experiencing the failure of its #1 (left) engine. The aircraft was on a scenic flight with 16 passengers and three crewmembers onboard. The crew included pilots Captains Ross Kelly and Doug Hayward, both experienced Australian pilots, and flight engineer Chris Barnard who died in the accident. While the two pilots and two passengers were severely injured, the flight engineer was the only fatality onboard the aircraft.
The Convair had last flown in February 2018 with A, B and C maintenance checks being completed on July 6, 2018. While the runup prior to takeoff appeared normal, the captain noted during the takeoff roll that manifold pressure on the #1 engine was low and shortly after rotation a passenger notified the crew that the engine was on fire. The pilots attempted to return to the airport and, while the aircraft initially climbed, it couldn t maintain altitude and crashed into a commercial building 3 miles from the airport. The preliminary accident report noted that there was confusion in the cockpit over which engine was on fire and it appears that no attempt was made to extinguish the fire or feather the propeller on the affected engine. This is puzzling in light of the experienced flight crew and hopefully the final report will determine exactly what happened on the ill-fated flight.
ZS-BRV was one of two Convairs that Rovos Air/Rail operated on combination rail and flight luxury safari trips from 2002 until 2011. Sistership ZS-ARV had previously been donated by Rovos to Australia s Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) with pilots Kelly and Hayward flying the aircraft from South Africa to Australia in August 2016. Rovos donated ZS-BRV to the Nationaal Luchtvaart-Themapark Aviodrome in April 2018 and departure for the Netherlands was scheduled for July 12th. The Aviodrome is a Dutch aviation museum and theme park and planned on displaying the aircraft in period Martin s Air Charter colors at its facility in Lelystad.
ZS-BVR was delivered to the USAF in 1954 as C-131D 54-2813. It was retired after 33 years of service in 1987 and flown to Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona for storage. Sold at auction in July 1992 it was operated by Bolivian airline Lineas Aereas Canedo until being acquired by Rovos Air in December 2001. Retired by Rovos in February 2011 the aircraft was stored at Wonderboom in good condition. The Convair was advertised for sale for $300,000 and in early 2017 it appeared that the aircraft had been sold to a Swiss group. It was painted in red and white 1950s era Swissair colors but the deal fell though. A year later a US group calling itself the Northliner Foundation planned on buying the aircraft and debuting it at EAA AirVenture 2018. The organization went as far as offering seats on the flight from South Africa to Oshkosh for $22,000 but ultimately this deal also fell through.
HARS Convair Updates - February 10, 2019
Former Rovos Air/Rail Convair CV440/VC-131D ZS-ARV arrived at Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) headquarters at Illawarra Regional Airport in Australia on August 21, 2016 after an epic 12-day delivery flight from South Africa. Six months later, registered VH-TAA, the Convair set out for the annual Avalon Airshow only to be forced to return with engine problems. After careful inspection, it was determined that the #2 engine would have to be replaced and an overhauled engine was purchased in the U.S. By February 2018 the new engine had been installed and successful engine runs completed. With a new engine installed and other routine maintenance completed, the Convair was fully airworthy and attended the Parkes Aero Spectacular in mid-April 2018. While the aircraft is currently maintained in an airworthy condition with engines and other systems exercised on a regular basis, it hasn t flown since the July 10, 2018 crash of ZS-BRV in South Africa. The pilots involved in the crash were Australian and could possibly have been the only two Convair certified pilots in Australia. Both were severely injured in the crash and have yet to return to flying thus effectively grounding the Convair.
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----Created 10 February 2019------Updated 8 December 2024----
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