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The Fokker F.27 Mk.050 was developed as the successor of the F-27 Friendship.
The Fokker 50 is based on the fuselage of the F-27-500, but incorporates a number
of key design changes. Foremost of the improvements were the Pratt & Whitney
Canada PW125 turboprops driving advanced six blade props, giving a 12% higher
cruising speed and greater fuel economy, and thus range. Two prototypes were built
based on F-27 airframes, the first flying on 28 December 1985. The first production
aircraft flew on 13 February 1987; certification was granted in May 1987. A
total of 205 Fokker F.27 Mk. 050 were built. Production ended after Fokker collapsed
due to financial problems on 15 March 1996 and the last Fokker 50 was
delivered to Ethiopian Airlines in May 1997. |
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The 1990-built Fokker F.27-050 s/n 20202 was testflown as PH-EXL and delivered to Crossair as HB-IAP.
The airliner was transferred to TAM (Transportes Aereas Regionais) in Brasil as PT-MLC. After
Denim Air BV, part of the Denim Air Group and based at Eindhoven Airport, the Netherlands,
purchased the Fokker 50 it was registered PH-FZG. The Fokker 50 was operated on a longterm
lease contract with Air Nostrum Lineas Aéreas del Mediterraneo SA as EC-HZA. After the Fokker 50
was returned to Denim Air it was registered PH-FZG again on 18 December 2002. Yet in Air Nostrum/Iberia
Regional colours, Demin Air operated the Fokker on a flight to Groningen Airport Eelde on 2 July 2004.
In 2004, Denim Air has a fleet of 12 Fokker 50 aircraft available for long or
short-term lease contracts, as well as for charter flights. |
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