Super Constellation Flyers Association
The Super Constellation Flyers Association (also: SCFA) is an association in liquidation under Swiss law with domicile in Basel , whose purpose was to secure the operation and maintenance of a Lockheed Super Constellation . In February 2019, it was decided to dissolve the association, if the sum of 20 million francs could not be guaranteed by April 20, 2019 for a refurbishment of the HB-RSC aircraft, which did not succeed.
history
In early 2000, the founding members of the association set themselves the goal of buying a Lockheed Super Constellation and operating it in Europe. The plane originally bought in the Dominican Republic was flown over to Avra Valley / Arizona in the spring of 2000 . Extensive restoration work was carried out there and the aircraft was registered with the registration number N105CF in the US aviation register. In November 2000 the N105CF flew over to Opa Locka / Florida . There the aircraft was checked by experts from the US regulatory authority. The license for the overflight to Europe and operation as an aircraft with passengers was refused. Work on the aircraft was therefore stopped and the aircraft was transferred to a parking space in Avra Valley.
At the beginning of 2003 the association was able to initiate a leasing contract for an airworthy Super Constellation with the Constellation Historical Society in Camarillo . The aircraft was registered with the registration number N73544 in the US aviation register and was flown over to Basel in May 2004. The Super-Constellation was in use until 2016 under the registration HB-RSC.
The association was supported by around 3,500 paying members in September 2015. The Super Constellation was in the air for around 60 to 70 hours per year and performed at air shows all over Europe until 2016 . Due to brake damage during a roll test in 2017 and later additional, stricter requirements, extensive repairs and renovations were necessary, for which no financing could be guaranteed until spring 2019.
In July 2019, the aircraft was sold to a new owner, whereby it was agreed not to disclose its identity. The aircraft was dismantled and transported to Bremgarten in November 2019 , with the hope that the necessary revision of the wing could be made and the aircraft could fly again in the future. For the last transport, that of the fuselage, the FOCA had specified a special scaffold so that the fuselage could not warp. It was estimated that it would take 3 years to repair the damage to the wings.
Planes
HB-RSC
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Under the aircraft registration HB-RSC, the club operated a Lockheed Super-Constellation L-1049, which was handed over to the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) in 1956 as a military cargo version, C-121C . In 1972 the machine was taken out of service and bought by Aviation Specialties with the intention of converting the machine into a fire-fighting aircraft. However, this was never implemented and the L-1049, meanwhile with the civil registration number N73544, was seen with interruptions afterwards at flight shows in the USA. In December 2003 the board of directors of SCFA and the owner of the aircraft signed a lease / purchase agreement. In April / May 2004 the aircraft, now named "Star of Switzerland", was flown over several stages from Camarillo to Basel and registered as HB-RSC at the Federal Office of Civil Aviation as a historic aircraft in Switzerland. Then the HB-RSC flew regularly as the only still airworthy Super-Constellation in Europe. The aircraft was approved for the transport of a maximum of 40 passengers.
HB-IRJ
As the main owner, the SCFA operated the Douglas DC-3, which has been registered in the Swiss register since April 14, 2009, with the year of construction 1940 and the serial number 2204. On behalf of the owners, it carried out sightseeing flights until it was removed from the register on March 20, 2019 Switzerland and abroad. The DC-3A was approved for 30 passengers.
N105CF
The plane originally bought by the association remained at its location in Avra Valley / Arizona and never became airworthy. The SCFA ultimately sold the aircraft to the Australian Historical Aircraft Restoration Society , which uses the aircraft as a “spare parts store” for its own project, making a Super Constellation airworthy.
organization
The association comprised two types of memberships: the so-called Association Members and the Supporter Members . The former capitalize the association with a one-time contribution and, in contrast to the supporters, were entitled to vote. The Association Members also elected the President and those responsible for flight operations, maintenance, finance and marketing.
Membership as a supporter entitles you to take part in flights with the aircraft operated by the association as well as discounts on the purchase of souvenir items. In order to participate in sightseeing flights within and starting from Switzerland to other European countries, an association membership and a contribution to expenses were necessary for licensing reasons. Exceptions were possible for sightseeing flights at air shows outside Switzerland, depending on the locally applicable regulations for operation with historical aircraft.
The operating and maintenance costs of HB-RSC were mainly borne by sponsorship and membership fees as well as the work of volunteers. For maintenance and operation there were contracts with SR Technics and the watch manufacturer Breitling as well as other sponsors from the private sector. Former and active pilots and flight attendants served as crew. The pilots and flight engineers had a valid flight license in accordance with EASA specifications for multi-engine civil aircraft with a three-man cockpit with the appropriate type rating . The association carried out regular training flights to maintain the authorizations.
Web links
literature
- Ernst Frei, Urs Mattle: Super Constellation - Backstage. AS Verlag & Buchkonzept, Zurich 2011, ISBN 978-3-909111-91-6 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ FOCA aircraft register . Retrieved February 26, 2016
- ↑ Farewell - the HB-RSC “Star of Switzerland” is leaving Switzerland , information from the Extraordinary General Meeting on July 4, 2019
- ↑ "Super Connie" is being sold to Germany , Zürcher Unterländer, July 7, 2019
- ↑ The Super Constellation has left Zurich , NZZ, November 28, 2019
- ↑ FOCA aircraft register . Retrieved December 15, 2019.