History

Aircraft By Type

Aircraft Make & Model:
Fairchild-Hiller FH-227C
MTOW:
43,500 lb.
Range:
450 statute miles
Speed:
295 mph
Seats:
43 passengers
Length:
83 ft.
Wingspan:
95 ft., 2 in.
Height:
27 ft., 6 in.
Engines:
2 Rolls Royce DART RDH7, MK532-7
HP or Thrust:
3,980 lbs.
No. flown by DL:
5
RoutesFlown:
New York City and the New England states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine
Advantages:
Drawbacks:
First Delivery:
July 13, 1966 to Northeast Airlines
First Scheduled Service:
September 7, 1966 with Northeast Airlines; August 1, 1972 with Delta
Reason Aquired:
Northeast Airlines merged with Delta
Last Retirement:
1974
Reason Disposed:
Fleet standardization and route consolidation after Northeast merger

Narrative:  Fairchild-Hiller FH-227C 1972-1974

High-wing turboprop designed for speed, comfort and economy, in serving smaller airports. Developed from the successful Dutch Fokker F.27 Friendship and built under license by Fairchild at Hagertown, Maryland.

Northeast Service

Northeast Airlines put its first (of seven) FH-227C into service from Boston on September 7, 1966. The FH-227 replaced the airlines' Douglas DC-3 and DC-6B propeller planes.

Short Delta Service

Northeast's FH-277C fleet came to Delta after the airlines merged on August 1, 1972. FH-227C was the only turboprop passenger type ever used by Delta, but Delta also operated the turboprop all-cargo Lockheed L-100. The FH-227C fleet was sold to Air New England in December 1974.

Interior

Interior styled for Northeast Airlines by industrial design firm Raymond Loewy/William Snaith. Drapes and seats of patterned tapestries and tweeds were in warm, golden colors of terracotta, orange and oatmeal, "suggesting the richness of a New England harvest." Carpet was rust colored. Front bulkhead was a simulated light wood paneling. Some interior trim was off-white color, and lavatory was finished in a rich yellow.

Passenger Experience

Fully pressurized and air conditioned interior. High wings allowed room for unusually large windows with unobstructed views for passengers.

Other conveniences:

  • Cabin door had six integrated steps.
  • Carry-on luggage racks
  • Bags in the hold unloaded quickly through a large ground-level door.
  • Auxiliary power unit provided air conditioning on the ground without outside power carts.

One of Northeast's early FH-277C passengers, a business commuter from Worcester, Massachusetts, said: "This is a very nice plane. I like the idea of being able to just walk aboard without having to climb up a rampand you can see out."

More Information

Pictures
  • fh-227b
  • fh-227b_northeast_service
  • fh-227b_passenger_experience
Videos
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