Fuerza Aerea Argentina Lockheed C-130H Hercules, T-64, visited Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 01Feb23

Fuerza Aerea Argentina (FAA) Lockheed C-130H Hercules, T-64 (c/n 4436), landing at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 01Feb23.  (Phil Perry Photo)

The above aircraft visited Aeroparque along with a Fuerza Aerea Argentina (FAA) IA-63 Pampa III - Block II jet trainer to attend a ceremony marking the upgrading of both aircraft to more modern standards.  T-64 is the fifth such Hercules transport aircraft to be modernized by the FAA and is expected to be serviceable for at least another twenty years.

Source: 

https://www.aviacionline.com/2023/02/la-fuerza-aerea-argentina-presento-dos-aviones-modernizados-localmente/

FLEET UPDATE: Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk. 1000, TC-53, flew once again on 06Aug21

The Fuerza Aerea Argentina retired the F-28 from its fleet after nearly 50 years in service when TC-52 (c/n 11074) and finally TC-53 (c/n 11020) were withdrawn from service on 03Sep18 and 16Aug19, respectively.  TC-53 was even painted with a special tail logo to commemorate the retirement of the long-lived Fokker product from service with the air force. 

However, TC-52 was unexpectedly reconditioned in 2020 and returned to service at least as recently as 05Oct20, even flying for the Argentine Air Force's airline, Lineas Aereas del Estado (LADE), on routes such as Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Merlo (RLO) in the San Luis province.  

Last year's surprise was followed up by another similar revival in 2021 when TC-53, which was retired earlier than expected in August 2019 due to cracks found in various parts of the structure, was recently repaired by the Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA), located at an airfield southwest of Cordoba city, which performed the equivalent of a B+2C+D check.  The aircraft flew once again, this time on a test flight departing and returning to El Palomar (EPA) air base on 06Aug21.

Photos of the aircraft painted in the new low-visibility grey scheme that was also applied to TC-52:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2021/08/fellowship-o-highlander-volvio-el-tc-53.html

Source:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2021/08/fellowship-o-highlander-volvio-el-tc-53.html

FLEET UPDATE: Fuerza Aerea Argentina acquires 737-700 for transport role

The Fuerza Aerea Argentina recently acquired a 737-700 to fulfill the role of military transport and possibly perform services on behalf of the state-run airline Lineas Aereas del Estado (LADE) serving the Patagonia energy / wilderness region, replacing to a degree the FAA's F-28 fleet which has been almost entirely retired. 

The aircraft, 737-76N (c/n 33420/1459) flew from Mexico City, where it had  undergone maintenance and preparations for service with the FAA, to Lima (LIM) and finally the FAA airbase at El Palomar (EPA), arriving on 27Apr21.  

The new addition joined the Fuerza Aerea Argentina 1st Aerial Brigade, 1st Transport Group, where it was assigned the FAA registration, T-99. 

T-99 was originally delivered to Ethiopian Airlines in 2004 and went on to fly with SAS Scandinavian Airlines before being stored in November 2020 and sold to the FAA.  

T-99 has already operated some flights, including from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) recently.  

The links below show some photos and video of the aircraft upon arriving at El Palomar (EPA):

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2021/04/llega-el-737-para-la-fuerza-aerea.html

https://www.aviacionline.com/2021/04/llego-a-buenos-aires-el-nuevo-boeing-737-700-de-la-fuerza-aerea-argentina/     

FLEET UPDATE: Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk1000, TC-52, 47 years old, flies to Mexico

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk1000, TC-52 (c/n 11074), continues to soldier on 45 years after it was delivered to the FAA in 1975.   

Its latest exploit was a flight from the FAA airbase at El Palomar (EPA), near Buenos Aires, to Mexico City on 13Apr21 via Salta (SLA), Lima (LIM), Guayaquil (GYE) and San Salvador (SAL).  The apparent purpose of the trip was to take a flight crew to bring back to Argentina a 737-700 that was recently acquired by the FAA.  

This trip must have been a big treat for aircraft spotters enroute as there are very few F-28's still in service (maybe TC-52 is the only one worldwide ?) plus seeing a short-range aircraft like the F-28 so far from its home base is unusual.  

TC-52 was expected back in El Palomar (EPA) in the late afternoon of 16Apr21.  

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2021/04/nunca-se-dan-por-vencidos.html

https://www.aviacionline.com/2021/04/hoy-partira-un-fokker-28-de-la-fuerza-aerea-argentina-con-destino-a-la-ciudad-de-mexico/

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F.28, TC-52 (c/n 11074) still flying, one of few still in service worldwide

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F.28 Mk.1000C, TC-52 (c/n 11074) was reportedly retired in 2018 being stored at El Palomar (EPA) on 03Sep18 for preservation.  This would have made it the next-to-last active F.28 with the Argentine Air Force, after TC-53 (c/n 11020), which was retired in 16Aug19 and was thought to have been the last F.28 to have been flown by any Argentine operator.  However, TC-52 underwent another round of heavy maintenance, with its subsequent reactivation on 12Dec19 enabling it to keep flying which it is still doing to this day.     

TC-52 was recently repainted in overall dark grey colors, which has not been worn by FAA F.28's previously, as pictured at the following link: 

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2021/01/lade-llego-merlo.html

Its most recent flight, also detailed in the above link, was on 22Jan21 to Merlo (RLO) in the province of San Luis, to inaugurate a series of 2x/monthly flights to be operated to the airport from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) by Lineas Aereas del Estado (LADE) over the next few months.    

Sources:

http://rzjets.net/aircraft/?typeid=116

http://argentina-airline-news.blogspot.com/search/label/F-28

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2021/01/lade-llego-merlo.html

https://www.aviacionline.com/2021/01/lade-volo-por-primera-vez-al-valle-del-conlara/

HISTORICAL INTEREST: Three F-28's that flew with the FAA as VIP+Presidential Transports

The Fuerza Aerea Argentina operated three F-28's as VIP+Presidential aircraft until their retirement in recent years.  Two of these also wore the military registration T-50, apparently also flying regular air force missions for the FAA.

History of the individual aircraft: 

F-28 Mk. 1000 (c/n 11028)

(c/n 11028) during one of the times that it was operated as T-01 between 1970 and 1975 and again between 1977 and 1992.  Note that it had no titles.  (Phil Perry Collection)

Another photo of (c/n 11028) when it wore the registration T-03, also in the early color scheme but with Republica Argentina titles.  (Phil Perry Collection)

(c/n 11028) operating as T-03, takes off from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 03Oct10 wearing its last color scheme.  (Phil Perry Photo) 

Fuerza Aerea Argentina / Presidencia de la Nacion F-28 Mk-1000 (c/n 11028) was delivered by Fokker to the FAA on 28Dec70 taking on the Air Force registration T-01.  The aircraft went on to fly as T-02 and T-04 before assuming its final identity of T-03 in 1995, which it wore until its retirement on 20Apr15.  The plane went on to serve as a source of spares for the remaining F-28's in service with the FAA.  "11028" was the first F-28 to fly with an Argentine operator and also the longest-serving F-28 in Argentina with 49 years flying in the country.   

F-28 Mk. 1000 (c/n 11048) 

(c/n 11048) after its arrival in Argentina following the 1976 Farnborough International Airshow where it was on display wearing a Fokker company scheme.  The aircraft was already re-registered as LV-LZN for entry into service with Aerolineas Argentinas and was eventually repainted in the carrier's scheme of the time, although in all-red colors instead of the usual two-tone blue.  (Phil Perry Collection)  

(c/n 11048) at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) operating for the Fuerza Aerea Argentina's Presidential Flight Group as T-02 in February 1997.  (Adrian Arzenheimer Photo - Phil Perry Collection)

(c/n 11048), LV-LZN, in full Lineas Aereas Entre Rios colors with additional American Falcon titles at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) in December 2003.  (Phil Perry Collection) 

(c/n 11048) at Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) as T-50 on 18Dec19, apparently retired from service with the Fuerza Aerea Argentina.  (Phil Perry Photo)

F-28 Mk. 1000 (c/n 11048) had a varied operational history flying for several entities, including Fairchild Hiller to whom it was delivered in 1972, followed by Aviateca Guatemala, back to Fokker for promotional work and finally going to Aerolineas Argentinas registered as LV-LZN in late 1976.

(c/n 11048) joined the Fuerza Aerea Argentina in 1977 as T-02 and also T-04, reverting back to LV-LZN in the early 2000's when it flew for Lineas Aereas Entre Rios and American Falcon for a couple of years before rejoining the FAA in 2005 with the military registration T-50 where it flew for LADE.             

Interestingly, this aircraft was assigned to Pope John Paul II' for domestic flying within Argentina during his tour of the country in 1987, even carrying the Vatican emblem on the fuselage.  (c/n 11048) also had some mishaps, including an inflight depressurization in 1992, a runway excursion during landing in Salta province in 1993 and some damage at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) in 1998, for which it was repaired.           

(c/n 11048) was spotted at Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) on 18Dec19 wearing the registration T-50 in the last all-white Fuerza Aerea Argentina colors for this type, apparently out of service.

F-28 Mk. 4000 (c/n 11203)

(c/n 11203) flying as T-02 at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 10Jul10.  (Phil Perry Photo)

(c/n 11203) at Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) on 18Dec19.  Note the Argentine Air Force 707 and 757 T-01 "Tango Zero-Uno" parked behind the F-28.  All three aircraft were retired and in somewhat derelict condition.  (Phil Perry Collection)

F-28 Mk. 4000 (c/n 11203) was delivered to Korean Air in 1984 where it flew for several years before going on to the Fuerza Aerea Argentina's Presidential Flight Group as T-02 in 1999.  It flew the rest of its career for the FAA, for a short time as T-50 and then back to T-02, before being withdrawn from use on 19May17.   

This aircraft was a model 4000, some 2.5m (7.5 ft.) longer than the 1000 and 3000 models that comprised all of the other F-28's that served with the Argentine military.   

Sources:

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/search/label/Fokker%20F-28%20Fellowship

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2015/04/retiro-de-un-historico-avion.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2015/01/antes-de-venir-la-foto-que-faltaba.html

HISTORICAL INTEREST: Five Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28's that flew as Military Transports / LADE

Eleven F-28's Served with the Argentine Government & Military

* The Fuerza Aerea Argentina flew five F-28's in the military transport role and with the state airline Lineas Aereas del Estado (LADE).

* The FAA also flew three F-28's as VIP+Presidential transports, one of which also operated as a military transport and with LADE. 

* The Armada Argentina (Navy) flew three F-28's.

This posting will cover the first five aircraft noted above with two postings to follow this one covering the other six planes.

Five Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Military Transports / LADE

The FAA took delivery of all five of these F-28's in 1975.  

Their military transport duties included flying supplies between Air Force bases in Argentina plus emergency medical and foreign airmail flights.  Notably, the F-28's supplied Argentine forces in the Islas Malvinas / Falkland Islands throughout the 1982 South Atlantic War.      

With LADE, the aircraft operated flights to remote locations in the southern Patagonia region of Argentina plus, starting in 1977, services connecting Comodoro Rivadavia (CRD) with Puerto Argentino / Port Stanley in the Malvinas / Falklands.

The last F-28 flight operated in any capacity by any entity in Argentina was thought to have been flown by Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-53 (c/n 11020), in August 2019 shortly before the aircraft's time limit for undergoing heavy maintenance.  However, Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-52 (c/n 11074), operated a flight between Mendoza (MDZ) and Villa Reynolds (VME) as recently as 05Oct20.  

Individual Aircraft Histories:

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-51 (c/n 11076), in the factory delivery color scheme.  Date and location unknown.  (Phil Perry Collection)   

F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-51 (c/n 11076), was delivered by Fokker, the aircraft's manufacturer, on 13Jan75, the same day as Aerolineas Argentinas' first of three factory new F-28's, LV-LOA (c/n 11085) was handed over to the Argentine national airline.     

TC-51 joined the 1st Aerial Brigade based out of El Palomar Air Force Base and flew for Lineas Aereas del Estado (LADE). Unlike the other four F-28's operated by the FAA, TC-51 was never modified with a cargo door, always flying only passengers in the main cabin.  

The aircraft continued in steady service for the FAA until it suffered an accident on 16Aug89.  TC-51 was departing from Bariloche (BRC) to Neuquen (NQN) in marginal weather when it partially departed the left side of the snow-covered runway.  The pilot was able to regain control of the aircraft but it was not able to take off properly, "struck an ILS aerial, crossed a ditch and ended up against a dyke". 

The aircraft was apparently flying for LADE as it had 65 occupants onboard, some of whom were reportedly seriously injured but all survived.  TC-51 was "damaged beyond repair" and finished its career with a total of 14,002 hours and 18,255 cycles on its airframe.        

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-52 (c/n 11074), at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP), apparently in November 1998. (Phil Perry Collection)

F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-52 (c/n 11076), was delivered new from the Fokker factory to the Fuerza Aerea Argentina on 30Jan75, promptly joining the force's 1st Aerial Brigade, also flying for Lineas Aereas del Estado (LADE).  

The aircraft also gained the Argentine civil registration LV-RCS in 1991, flying for Dinar Lineas Aereas, an Argentine regional carrier of the time, for two years after which it was re-registered back to TC-52 in 1993.     

Like three other F-28's operated by the FAA, TC-52 was later modified with a cargo door.

As of 31Aug18, TC-52 had accumulated 23,666 flight hours over 27,292 cycles and, as of this writing, is the sole F-28 still flying in Argentina and perhaps the entire world.

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-53 (c/n 11020), at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 15Aug14 in the most recent Argentine Air Force color scheme, also sporting a "100 Years" emblem on the tail commemorating the 100th year anniversary of the FAA.  (Phil Perry Photo)    

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-53 (c/n 11020), at Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) on 17Dec19 with its tail painted in red colors and sporting its unit insignia in commemoration of the retirement of the F-28 type from FAA service in August 2019 (except that TC-52 continues to fly for the FAA until this day).  (Phil Perry Photo)

F-28 Mk-1000, (c/n 11020), first flew in 1970 with Fokker delivering it to its US marketing partner Fairchild Hiller Corp. as N283FH in June 1970.  Fairchild Hiller manufactured the Fokker F-27 as the Fairchild F-27 and a stretched version as the FH-227, with the production run of both types totaling 206 airframes.  

The company apparently operated N283FH as an executive transport until 1975 when a cargo door was added converting the aircraft to an F-28 Mk-1000C and the plane was delivered to the Fuerza Aerea Argentina as TC-53 on 07May75.  The aircraft promptly joined the 1st Aerial Brigade and Lineas Aereas del Estado where it flew until wing cracks were discovered on 16Aug19 leading to its retirement only two weeks before its airworthiness certificate was set to expire on 31Aug19.

 

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-54 (c/n 11018), at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP), reportedly in March 1996.  (Phil Perry Collection)

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-54 (c/n 11018), at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 24Oct10 in the last scheme that it wore.  (Phil Perry Photo)

This aircraft was delivered to Fairchild Hiller Corp. in March 1970, operating for the company until April 1975 when it was converted to a cargo version with the addition of a cargo door and subsequently delivered to the Fuerza Aerea Argentina as TC-54 in July 1975.   

TC-54 joined the 1st Aerial Brigade and Lineas Aereas del Estado (LADE) until August 1992 when it acquired the dual civil registration of LV-VCS, apparently flying for Dinar Lineas Aereas.

By 1994, the aircraft was back flying full time for the FAA / LADE, finally being retired in 2016 with 21,415 hours and 24,515 cycles on its airframe through October of that year. 

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-55 (c/n 11024), at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on an undetermined date.  (Phil Perry Collection)

This aircraft's history closely parallels that of TC-54 / (c/n 11018), having been delivered to Fairchild Hiller in 1970, converted to a cargo version in 1975 and  continuing on to the FAA / LADE later that year where it joined the 1st Aerial Brigade and LADE. 

The aircraft soldiered on with the FAA / LADE for four decades being retired in 2016 with 20,036 hours and 23,497 cycles accumulated on its airframe at that time.  

Sources:

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/search/label/Fokker%20F-28%20Fellowship

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/search?q=tc-51

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/2010/06/tc-51-fokker-f-28-fellowship-mk-1000c-w.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2015/01/antes-de-venir.html

https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19890816-1

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2020/10/roll-out-n-377-fleet-list.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2018/09/adios-un-fellowship.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2018/07/ultimo-fokker-f-28-en-servicio-civil.html

FLEET UPDATE: Fuerza Aerea Argentina continues to operate one F-28, TC-52 (c/n 11074)

The Argentine Government has operated a fleet of Fokker F-28's as government / military transports since 1970 when the first aircraft, F-28 Mk-1000, T-01, (c/n 11028), was delivered to the Fuerza Aerea Argentina as a VIP presidential aircraft. 

The last F-28 flight operated in any capacity by any entity in Argentina was thought to have been flown by Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-53, (c/n 11020) in August 2019 shortly before the aircraft's time limit for undergoing heavy maintenance.  However, Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-52, (c/n 11074) operated a flight between Mendoza (MDZ) and Villa Reynolds (VME) as recently as 05Oct20.  

A total of 17 F-28's have operated in Argentina; in airline service with Aerolineas Argentinas, American Falcon, Austral, DINAR, and LAER and with the nation's Air Force, Navy, Lineas Aereas del Estado (LADE) and as a VIP / Presidential transport.

The blog editor will soon make three postings with a short history of each F-28 flown by the Argentine government in its various roles. 

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2020/10/roll-out-n-376-fleet-list.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2019/08/fin-del-fokker-f-28-fellowship-en.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2019/05/el-ultimo-de-todos.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2018/09/adios-un-fellowship.html

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/search/label/Fokker%20F-28%20Fellowship

HISTORICAL INTEREST: Fuerza Aerea Argentina / LADE retired F-27 fleet in September 2016 after nearly 40 years in service

Lineas Aereas del Estado - LADE, an arm of the Fuerza Aerea Argentina, retired its last F-27 from service in 2016 after over 40 years flying the type.  F-27-400M, TC-79 (c/n 10575), marked the end of an era in mid-September with a week-long tour of 19 cities where the aircraft flew during its career.  

The aircraft was painted in a special scheme for the occasion as noted in these links to the Rollout Spotting blog and short YouTube video:  

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2016/09/inicio-de-la-despedida-del-friendship.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPml62bzVx0

Celebrations greeted TC-79 everywhere it flew starting at Parana (PRA) and continuing to El Palomar (EPA), Mar del Plata (MDQ), Bahia Blanca (BHI), Trelew (REL), Comodoro Rivadavia (CRD), Puerto Madryn (PMY), San Antonio Oeste (OES), Gobernador Gregores (GGS), Puerto Deseado (PUD), San Julian, Santa Cruz, Rio Gallegos (RGL), Rio Grande (RGA), Ushuaia (USH), El Calafate (FTE), Esquel (EQS), Bariloche (BRC), and Neuquen (NQN).  Most of these airports are located in the Patagonia region of southern Argentina famed for its lakes, glaciers, mountains and wilderness.

LADE's F-27 fleet additionally operated flights from Comodoro Rivadavia (CRD) to the Islas Malvinas / Falklands Islands during the 1970's bringing medications and other supplies to the archipelago.  It also flew 309 missions to the islands in support of Argentine forces during the South Atlantic War of 1982 transporting men and materiel without suffering any losses.   

The Fuerza Aerea Argentina operated a total of sixteen F-27's with all or nearly all of them having flown passenger service on behalf of LADE.  

The aircraft had a poor safety record flying for the FAA / LADE, probably reflective of the rugged Patagonia region where it flew with frequent bad weather, especially in winter, and airfields that were often minimally equipped with navigational and other aids.  

Nine of the sixteen F-27's were involved in incidents ranging from serious, such as a gear collapse upon landing, to devastating accidents with the loss of all passengers and crew, which happened twice.         

Specifically, the following aircraft were involved in the listed incidents / accidents:  

F-27-600, T-42 (c/n 10346) - Gear up landing in Rio Gallegos (RGL) on 18Apr72 with no victims.  

F-27-400M Troopship, TC-71 (c/n 10403) - Nose gear collapsed upon landing in Lago Argentino on 06Feb75 with no victims.

F-27-400M Troopship, TC-73 (c/n 10407) - Left main landing gear collapse followed by runway excursion and collision with the airport terminal building in Jeremie Airport, Haiti while flying a United Nations peace mission on 16Jun95. No victims.      

F-27-400M Troopship, TC-77 (c/n 10416) - Landing accident at the Marambio Base in Antarctica on 02Dec69 resulting in the W/O of the aircraft but with no victims.    

F-27-400M Troopship, TC-74 (c/n 10408) - Collided with a generator while starting to taxi at the Military Aviation School in Cordoba on 07Feb73 resulting in one death.  Cargo door opened while in flight over Cordoba on 04Oct74 with one death.     

F-27-400M Troopship, TC-75 (c/n 10411) - Collision with terrain in the Quebrada del Rio Congas 200km northeast of Lima, Peru while performing a humanitarian aid flight. Loss of 4 crew members with 4 passengers seriously injured.     

F-27-400M Troopship, TC-76 (c/n 10412) - Collision with terrain after an abrupt turn during take off followed by fire at Mendoza (MDZ) on 17May11 with the loss of 4 victims. 

F-27-400M Troopship, TC-72 (c/n 10404) - Collision with Mt. Pilcaniyeu while on final approach to Bariloche (BRC) on 16Mar75 with the loss of 52 victims. 

F-27-500, TC-72 (c/n 10619) - Collision with terrain in stormy conditions including rain, turbulence and strong winds near Mt. Champaqui in Cordoba on 08Nov95 with the loss of 53 victims. 

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn160922/avn-160922.html
http://www.lacapitalmdp.com/mar-del-plata-vio-pasar-al-historico-fokker-f-27-en-su-viaje-de-despedida/ via Carlos Abella
http://www.eldiariodelfindelmundo.com/noticias/2016/09/22/68565-ushuaia-rindio-homenaje-al-ultimo-avion-fokker-f-27-que-conecto-la-region-durante-mas-de-40-anos via Carlos Abella
http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/search/label/Fokker%20F-27%2FFairchild%20F-27    

FLEET UPDATE: Fuerza Aerea Argentina 737-500 T-04 returns to VIP service

Republica Argentina 737-5H6, T-04, (c/n 26456/2527) lands at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 15Aug14.  (Phil Perry Photo) 

Fuerza Aerea Argentina 737-5H6, T-04 (c/n 26456/2527), has returned to service flying for the Agrupacion Aerea Presidencial (presidential transport group) after a couple of years grounded at El Palomar Air Base near Buenos Aires undergoing heavy maintenance, including both engines being changed.  

The aircraft was originally delivered to Malaysian Airlines System in 1993 continuing on to fly for Air France in 1999 before joining Aerolineas Argentinas as LV-AYE in 2004 and then the Argentine Air Force in April 2014, after spending two years in storage following its withdrawal from service by the national carrier in 2012.  

T-04 was intended to replace the country's primary presidential transport 757 T-01 that had been due for very expensive maintenance leading to its grounding.  However, T-04 soon needed maintenance work too, which was recently completed at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) followed by several test flights and the aircraft resuming its governmental VIP transport role on 29Sep17 when it flew Argentine President Mauricio Macri and other government officials from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to San Luis (LUQ) and Mendoza (MDZ).   

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/09/un-dia-volvio-el-t-04.html
http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/search?q=t-04

FLEET UPDATE: Argentine Presidential Transport 757 T-01 Update

Republica Argentina 757-23A, T-01 (c/n 25487/470), taxis at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 01Oct10. (Phil Perry Photo)

The Argentine Presidential Transport 757, also known as "Tango Cero Uno", has been out of service and stored at El Palomar (EPA) airport / military base since December 2015. It is up for sale at the reduced asking price of US$ 1.5 million, down from the previous US$ 2.5 million listing. 

The aircraft was delivered directly by Boeing to the Argentine government in July 1992 and, as would be expected with a government VIP transport aircraft, it has accumulated little time, apparently fewer than 20,000 hours, a fraction of the time that a 757-200 would log in a similar number of years in airline service.

Nonetheless, the aircraft has had a couple of incidents including a hard emergency landing at El Palomar (EPA) on 19Oct04 after an inflight engine fire. It is also due for heavy maintenance and repairs with an estimated bill of US$ 20 million for all the work. If it were to continue in a VIP role, its executive interior would probably have to be extensively modified and updated to the tastes of any potential buyers. A conversion to cargo service would be costly with the interior having to be ripped out and a large cargo door added. Most of all though, the estimated $ 20 million maintenance and repair bill has sadly made the aircraft primarily a candidate for parting out with any useful spare parts to be sold for re-use.

Sources:

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tango_01
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/2024621-hot-sale-en-la-casa-rosada-el-gobierno-bajo-el-precio-del-tango-01

FLEET UPDATE: Former Aerolineas Argentinas 737-500, LV-AYE, joins Argentine Air Force Presidential Flight as T-04

Republica Argentina 737-5H6, T-04, (c/n 26456/2527) lands at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 15Aug14.  Note that the thrust reversers were deployed even before the nosewheel touched the ground, not a rare occurence but not very common either. (Phil Perry Photo) 

The same aircraft as Aerolineas Argentinas LV-AYE taxiing out for a flight at Aeroparque on 18Sep10.  (Phil Perry Photo) 

Former Aerolineas Argentinas 737-5H6, LV-AYE, (c/n 26456/2527) recently joined the Fuerza Aerea Argentina "Agrupacion Aerea Presidencial" (Argentine Air Force Presidential Flight) reportedly replacing one of the Flight's aging Fokker F.28's.  

The aircraft was originally delivered to Malaysian Airlines on 29Sep93 as 9M-MFF and served briefly with Jet Airways in 1998 before joining Air France as F-GJNY on 10Dec99.  The 737-500 finally went to Aerolineas Argentinas on 11Oct04 as LV-AYE where it flew until 29Mar12 when it was ferried to San Juan (UAQ) in northwestern Argentina for storage the following month.  On 18Dec12 it was ferried to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) where it was stored in a hangar until recently.  

Aerolineas was due to return LV-AYE to its owner, lessor GECAS, but the cost of work necessary on the airframe prior to its return, including a major check, exceeded the value of the aircraft itself, estimated at US$ 1.75 million, so GECAS agreed to sell the plane to Aerolineas.

The cost to the Argentine government of preparing the aircraft for its new role was apparently US$ 3 million, including installing a new interior with three sections; a VIP cabin for the president, another area for government ministers plus 54 seats for other travelers.  Seats from ex-Aerolineas 737-287 LV-JTD (c/n 20523/285) which served briefly as an executive charter aircraft, were reportedly used for at least some of the conversion.  

The 737-500, still wearing registration LV-AYE, performed test flights from EZE on 16Apr14 and 23Apr14, entering a hangar at EZE soon thereafter for the conversion to the VIP interior.

By 08May14 painting of the aircraft in the "Republica Argentina" colors was complete.  It was still wearing the LV-AYE registration but its new "T-04" air force designation was reportedly applied in early June.   

Aerolineas Argentinas will reportedly maintain the aircraft.   

The 737-500 will be a lot cheaper to fly to the southern Argentina homes of current president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner than the main presidential aircraft, 757-23A, T-01, (c/n 25487/470).

Other aircraft in the presidential fleet include two Fokker F-28's, T-02 (c/n 11203) and T-03 (c/n 11028), both over 40 years old, and a Learjet, T-10 (c/n 60-140).  Both of the F-28's have been out of service for significant lengths of time due to their age; T-02 did not fly for 2.5 years with an unserviceable automatic pilot and T-03 is currently on the ground with engine problems. This was part of the reason for acquiring LV-AYE for the presidential fleet.   

Indeed, the editors of Linea ALA have commented that it is surprising that other retired Aerolineas Argentinas 737-500's were not used to replace the numerous aging Fokker F.28's of the Argentine Air Force, Navy and Presidential Flight.  According to Linea ALA, it would have been "coherent and appropriate in economic and operational terms".     

Additional Photos of LV-AYE / T-04:

http://avionesenezeiza.blogspot.com.ar/2014/05/lv-aye-ya-luce-los-colores-oficiales.html?m=1

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2014/05/vuelo-de-prueba-traslado-del-nuevo.html

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Argentina---Air/Boeing-737-5H6/2471830/L/&sid=bba669ed2944b570d268278c9608c0bb

Sources:

http://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2014/04/un-nuevo-tango-para-el-pen.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2014/04/un-nuevo-tango-02.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2014/05/primeras-fotos-del-nuevo-tango-02.html

http://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2014/07/frases-de-parrilli-acerca-del-t-04.html

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140717/avn-140717.html

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1710315-suman-un-boeing-737-a-la-flota-presidencial