Fedex F-27
Article by Jim Malcolm and Jeff Willhelm, Photos by Jeff Willhelm and April AlfonsoThe F-27 Has Arrived!
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On the rainy morning of February 13th, 2008, Bill West, director of feeder operations for FedEx in Memphis, was on hand at Hickory Regional Airport to officially hand over N705FE to the Hickory Aviation Museum. In a well attended ceremony Mr. West presented the aircraft to Mayor Rudy Wright and the Sabre Society. Members of Hickory city council also attended. As always, Froggy Pete's catered the affair in the most delicious manner. | |
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Background Information
At a few minutes after 5:00pm Friday, N705FE arrived at the Hickory Aviation Museum. Chris Knollmeyer provided excitement by performing a slow speed flyby, followed by a 225 KT high speed flyby at 80 feet, followed by a perfect landing. The aircraft is now parked on the far corner of the terminal ramp, and will remain there until the area is prepared for its display. The formal delivery ceremony will still be held on Wednesday, February 13, at 9:30am.
Here is a good reason for everyone to hang around the museum when ever possible. Just before arrival of N705FE, we were given a special treat. Two VH-3 Presidential helicopters of Marine Squadron VMX-1 arrived, followed shortly by four UH-46 support helicopters. We would like to thank the President for sending this interesting display for us.
Our Fedex Fokker F-27, N705FE, made what was to be its last commercial flight from Santo Domingo to Puerto Rico on Wednesday, January 9th. Chris Knollmeyer arrived in Puerto Rico to ferry N705FE from Puerto Rico to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. After clearing customs on January 10, Chris successfully landed at Kinston, NC at the Mountain Air Cargo Heavy Maintenance Facility. While 705 was in Kinston undergoing preparations, the only other remaining F-27, N713FE, had an engine problem in Puerto Rico. Mechanics loaded a replacement engine onto N705FE, and a flight crew flew it back to Puerto Rico. N705FE flew again on the Puerto Rico to Santo Domingo run until N713FE was repaired.
We owe special thanks to FedEx, and especially to all of the people who worked hard to make this donation possible. The delivery might not have ever happened without the efforts of Sabre Society Member Chris Knollmeyer.
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