FAIRCHILD HILLER FH-227 (FOKKER)

1958’€“94

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The F-27 Friendship, originally a Dutch aircraft by Fokker, was manufactured under license by Fairchild starting in 1958.
  • After merging with Hiller Aircraft, Fairchild developed the FH-227 by stretching the F-27's fuselage by six feet, thereby increasing its cabin space for passengers and freight.
  • Both the F-27 and FH-227 models are powered by Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines, with specific performance and capacity details varying between different variants.
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STANDARD DATA (FH-227): Seats: 44-52; Gross weight: 43,500 lbs.; Empty weight: 22,923 lbs.; Fuel capacity: 1,364 lbs.; Engines: two 2,300 shp Rolls-Royce Dart turboprops.
PERFORMANCE: Top speed: 294 mph; Top cruise: 270 mph; Stall speed: 87 mph; Initial climb rate: 1,560 fpm; Range: 1,655 nm; Service ceiling: 28,000 ft.; Takeoff run: 3,950 ft.; Landing roll: 4,100 ft.
STANDARD DATA (F27 Mk 600): Seats: 44 plus crew; Gross weight: 45,000 lbs.; Empty weight: 22,786 lbs.; Fuel capacity: 1,357–2,463 gal.; Engines: two 2,140 shp Rolls-Royce Dart turboprops.
PERFORMANCE: Cruise speed: 298 mph; Initial climb rate: 1,480 fpm; Service ceiling: 29,500 ft.; Takeoff distance: 2,310 ft.; Landing distance: 3,290 ft.

The original Fokker F-27 Friendship was built in Holland. Fairchild has built the F-27 under license from Fokker since 1958. The first F-27 models had a maximum gross weight of 40,500 pounds and seated 44 passengers. Power was supplied by twin 1,720 shp Dart turboprops. When Fairchild merged with Hiller Aircraft, the designation of the airplane was changed to FH-227 and the fuselage was stretched by six feet, giving increased cabin space for passengers and freight.

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