Bringing C-FTAV home - the final push

Hey, it's Rik for the Time Air Historical Society. With more than two years in the making, the Time Air Historical Society (TAHS) is ready to finally bring Fokker F-28-1000 s/n 11106 C-FTAV home. All money collected will be sent directly to TAHS. The necessity of this campaign is to raise the final funds for C-FTAV's wing removal and transportation back to Alberta.

We are now in the home stretch of moving C-FTAV home. Currently, we are awaiting final runway repairs at CYXE (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan). The estimated completion date is August 18th, 2022. Our aircraft has to partially travel over the threshold of the main runway to access the only exit big enough to allow the partially disassembled aircraft through. Once CYXE gives us the all-clear, we will schedule the move back to CYQL. We have negotiated a spot to store and display C-FTAV at the Lethbridge Airport.

The major components of this move are:

Use of both a 50-ton and a 28-ton crane for all lifting. These cranes are needed at both the departing airport (CYXE), and the receiving airport (CYQL). As Sheriff Cranes have the experience, we will use their 28 ton crane service for both lifts.

Permitting and route planning services

Police escort out of Saskatoon

The use of up to five Pilot Cars

Sask Power (Saskatchewan) and Fortis (Alberta) Energy companies for power line lifting, where required

Fuel for all vehicles (800 km trip, with a convoy of up to eight various vehicles).

Accommodation for out-of-town transport and crane crews.

As a Not for Profit Society, all services are being donated at or below cost to TAHS.

 

It took a lot of going over maintenance procedures and simple hands-on experience to figure out how to take the aircraft apart. We have gained experience with privately owned F-28-1000 C-GYCR, already relocated to a farm in Southern Alberta.

 

A rotating volunteer pool of less than ten amateurs, assisted by two volunteer Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (with no Fokker experience) have worked tirelessly to get to where we are.

 

 

 

 

 

It is only through the dedication of this small team, that we have succeeded. We sincerely hope that we are doing all the former employees of EVERY airline that flew s/n 11106, proud.

 

The final step is by far the biggest. The disassembly of wings from the fuselage without any cutting. With experience gained from the removal of YCR's wings, we will apply that knowledge to TAV. We are incredibly lucky to have Doug of Sheriff Cranes in Saskatoon involved. He has a background in aviation, and has quickly stepped up to the challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our necessity of this campaign, is to raise the final funds for C-FTAV's wing removal, and transportation back to Alberta.

 

 

We are asking for the support of all those in the Aviation Community across the globe. From airline employees to fans of Commercial Aviation, we need your help to bring C-FTAV home.

 

******When completed, C-FTAV will be the ONLY Fokker F-28-1000 WORLD WIDE with full visitor access, situated in a proper Museum setting.******

 

This aircraft type is sadly not displayed in the Netherlands, which is its original Country of Manufacture. With precious few left worldwide, and only a few (miltary) examples flying, C-FTAV will have the honoured prestige of being the best example of this Fokker passenger aircraft anywhere around the Globe. We take that honour VERY seriously, and we want to be able to make our Dutch friends proud. Saving C-FTAV is as much for the Dutch as it is with all others who have a connection to this aircraft.

 

The exterior will be repainted in the delivery "Silver Bullet" colours, that were worn during Time Air's 25th Anniversary. We will be honouring every airline that flew this aircraft, with appropriate vintage logos to commemorate C-FTAV's entire history. It should be noted that the interior is in very good condition, and will only require a thorough cleaning. We do have a full set of unused carpet to be placed back into the cabin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This unique aircraft will be the cornerstone of the Time Air collection. Our goal is to preserve the story of Fokker and the Fokker F-28-1000; The history of the airlines Worldwide that used this exact aircraft; The history of this aircraft in Canadian Aviation; The story of how Time Air amassed the largest fleet of Fokker F-28-1000's worldwide, and the history of the airline itself.

 

We appreciate everyone's support in bringing this rare aircraft home and look forward to once again welcoming everyone back aboard our "Silver Bullet".