The Fokker 50 is a short to medium range turboprop airliner designed and built in the Netherlands. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW125B engines, it first flew on 28 December 1985 and entered service with DLT (Lufthansa Cityline) and Ansett in 1987.
A total of 213 were produced from 1985 to 1997, operating generally regional services for many airlines around the world. Several aircraft remain in service today.
Fokker 50 Video
Following on from the previous video about the Lockheed L-188 Electra, this week we head to Europe for a look at the Fokker 50. Below is a promotional film from Fokker which lasts around 10 minutes.
You may be familiar with the look of the aircraft, as it is an updated version of the very popular Fokker F27 Friendship. Checking out the video shows many of the features of the new version.
With a modern cockpit and design features such as integrated stairs, the Fokker 50 was designed to be self sufficient at airports. The video is very 1980s and the people’s fashions and businessman’s laptop immediately show its age.
All the features of the cabin and flight deck are reviewed. I’m not sure those generous overhead bins would cut it in today’s world, as people tend to travel with a lot more than just a briefcase!
Overall Thoughts
Fokker was one of the oldest aircraft companies in the world, having been founded all the way back in 1912. Unfortunately the business went bankrupt in 1996, ending a famous name in aviation.
Have you flown on a Fokker 50 before and what was it like? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image by Aldo Bidini on Airliners.net via Wikimedia Commons.
I flew on one of these from Amsterdam to Bremen (and back) in the early 1990s. I hadn’t realised that I was slightly claustrophobic until I flew on this plane. I didn’t enjoy the experience.
It’s interesting you should say that as it’s strange how certain aircraft affect people. I remember feeling queasy whenever I flew on the Douglas DC-10. There was something about the interior smell that made me feel unwell. I had a similar feeling when I flew in a tiny aircraft once. It’s very interesting how different planes affect different people. Thanks for the comment!
I just read that Air Panama has a ‘fleet’ of these, dont know how many but that must be a large number considering how many where made in total.
Well, according to Wikipedia, it’s a fleet of two 🙂
Flew it once from AMS to ROT. Vibrated like crazy on takeoff even with the 6 blade prop.
That certainly sounds memorable. Not a lot of 6 bladed props out there, that’s for sure! Thanks for the comment.
I flew many times on KLM F27/F50s in and around UK/Europe (1-2hr flights). Used to dread getting these aircraft. They were very loud, and I always felt it was more like being in a helicopter than an airplane. I was glad to see the back of these.
It’s funny because the video says how much quieter the cabin in. I dread to think of how noisy the Fokker F27 must have been then! Thanks for the comment!
I never saw one but always wondered why it didn’t sell in the US. Too heavy? Any way I did get to fly on it’s “Mama”, the F27…actually the FH-227B on Ozark Airlines a few times. Loved the big windows that were lost on the F50. It shoulda been a contender!
I always remember the sound of the Darts on the Fokker F27. They were definitely distinctive! I never got to fly on either one of them, unfortunately. I’ve seen those big windows – at least they’re making a comeback. The new 777X is supposed to have the largest windows around. Not sure why the Fokker 50 didn’t do as well as the F27, maybe it was because there was more competition in that space when it arrived.
When I got to take my probably one and only 787 flight on KLM I was sure to order a window seat as I wanted to enjoy a view as good as from an F27. However when I reached my seat it was one of those windowless window seats! A sham I say.
That’s a shame, there’s always a window missing somewhere on aircraft these days. Better luck next time, I guess!