Fokker 50 / Fokker 60 | |
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General information | |
Type | Turboprop regional airliner |
National origin | Netherlands |
Manufacturer | Fokker |
Status | In service |
Primary users | Amapola Flyg |
Number built | 213 |
History | |
Manufactured | 1985–1997 |
Introduction date | 1987 |
First flight | 28 December 1985 |
Developed from | Fokker F27 Friendship |
The Fokker 50 is a turboprop-powered airliner manufactured and supported by Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker. It was designed as an improved version of the successful Fokker F27 Friendship. The Fokker 60 is a stretched freighter version of the Fokker 50.
The Fokker 50 was developed during the early 1980s following a decline in the sales of the company's earlier F27 Friendship. It was decided that the new airliner would be a derivative of its predecessor, sharing much of its airframe and design features, while incorporating new advances and several improvements, such as the adoption of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127B turboprop engines, in order to produce a successor that had a 30 percent reduction in fuel consumption over the F27.
The Fokker 50 performed its maiden flight on 28 December 1985, and entered revenue service during 1987. The Fokker 60 has been operated by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), ex-RNLAF aircraft are also in service with the Peruvian Naval Aviation and the Republic of China's Air Force.