Kelowna DC10's at YYZ are done.

[dashx]

I hear they are going back to YHM for storage. To join the one slated for beer cans. Seems you can't fight Cargojet.

[skypirate88]

You sure can't. It's hard to compete against a public company. Seems to be lots of investors willing to back it.

[fruitloops]

Really sad to hear this, more good pilots getting the boot. Is this a result of Medve leaving another company in shambles during her tenure? or cargojet being superior? or was it all planned? I really couldn't see how KF was even going to be able to handle another Purolator/CP contract or even international cargo flying with so many planes being ready for the bone yard and fleet renewal required! Good luck to those being released and having to start over elsewhere.

[skypirate88]

I can't comment on the business side of things and how this all unfolded, but I have to disagree when you say the aircraft were ready for the bone yard. Yes, the 727 was an old machine, but they were still great aircraft. I really believe they still had lots of life left in them and they were excellent machines for the job.

I really miss the 727, and feel privileged to have had the chance to fly it.

[fruitloops]

I wasn't knocking the aircraft at all, agree that they are solid aircraft for sure, just that the metal was expiring.

[skypirate88]

I wasn't knocking the aircraft at all, agree that they are solid aircraft for sure, just that the metal was expiring.

I figured as much. I wasn't trying to pick on you. I think perhaps the wounds are a little fresh. When I started at Flightcraft I never thought I would need to be looking for work. It has been sad watching those machines disappear.

I very much enjoyed my time working here, and wish those who remain the best.

[iflyforpie]

The 727 was a great plane. Most I worked on were in better condition than your average mainline airliner today.... ....and made perfect sense for an operation that flew less than 1000 hours a year per airframe. However, fuel, maintenance, and crew costs are catching up.

When I was there, with my infinite wisdom as an apprentice AME, I figured the natural replacement for the 727 was the 757... as it was for the airlines and other cargo operators like UPS. More capacity, one less crew member, more economical, and tons of commonality with the 767 should they need to upgrade to a plane with more capacity. They didn't have the low acquisition costs of the DC-10 at the time, which is likely why the Diesel was bought instead, plus having the ability to carry more cargo.

But the DC-10 was rarely ever filled to capacity, and is now uneconomical to compete against smaller aircraft in the thin Canadian market. YHM isn't exactly a Memphis Fedex hub with worldwide connections.

[linecrew]

http://skiesmag.com/news/article/KF-Aer ... -operation

KF Aerospace shutters Toronto cargo operation
By Andy Cline and Lisa Gordon

Less than a year after KF Aerospace relocated its jet cargo business to Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport, it has closed the operation down.

Established on May 27, 2015, the cargo arm was heavily promoted in the hopes of putting KF’s jet freighters back to work after the significant loss of Canada Post and Purolator contracts to Mississauga-based Cargojet.

But on March 7, 2016, KF Aerospace officials made the decision to pull the plug on the Toronto operation.

“It wasn’t economically viable, so we’re discontinuing the operation at Pearson,” confirmed Bryan Akerstream, the director of business development at KF Aerospace. “We came to the conclusion that there is too much belly freight capacity in the market, at least for the North Atlantic route we were flying, and there isn’t space for an all-cargo carrier.”

He added that KF Aerospace looked for other cargo opportunities, but the global economic downturn is having a heavy impact on all-cargo operations. “It’s depressing the rates, so it’s a double-edged sword,” Akerstream told Skies. “You need either the volume or the yield, and we were finding we were hit in both areas.”

On March 18, KF Aerospace ferried the two McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft that had serviced its cargo operation to nearby Hamilton International Airport.

“They won’t operate out of Hamilton,” said Akerstream. “We’re looking at potential options including sale or lease. We have no intention of operating them ourselves.”

He added that Boeing 727 freighters, originally included in the Pearson cargo plan, have been reassigned to Hamilton over the last few months. Some have since been sold or parted out, and some are still sitting in Hamilton. “We have nothing on the books for them.”

KF Aerospace has laid off eight staff members from its Toronto cargo operation, with four maintenance personnel transferred to the company’s heavy maintenance operations in Hamilton and Kelowna, B.C.

“It’s difficult for us and all our employees, but we will focus on those things returning a realistic revenue,” said Akerstream. “Fortunately, we have a pretty large scope of operations.”

For the immediate future, he said the company will continue its cargo operation for Purolator Canada’s B.C. feeder service. “As it stands now, we’ll focus on feeder, heavy maintenance in Hamilton and Kelowna, and military pilot training in Southport [Man.], and selling that training capacity around the world.”

Akerstream said KF Aerospace will continue to look at other potential options for different airframes.

[anofly]

I think the key is belly freight. Pearson has way to many movements ,going way too many ways,and places, and almost all of the departures take at least a few cargo bins .

[wallypilot]

To be honest, I don't know her hey ever thought they could make it. I feel for the crews, but this was a doomed venture from day one.

[Changes in Latitudes]

The crews had a pretty good deal going at Kelowna and I am guessing it will be hard to for them to see how much the industry has deteriorated in the last few years. Hope everyone finds their way.

[I WAS Birddog]

Kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall.
To the ex-citizens of KFC...it's over. Either adapt and blend to your next employers company culture...OR, apply to Costco.
It's not your fault that KFC crumbled...but neither is it everyone elses.

[plhought]

It's too bad - I think I'd be a blast sittin' sideways and rippin' around the world in a Diesel-10.

You'd think there would be a market for some greasy overseas work for a plane or two. Some UN or DND contracts perhaps.

[iflyforpie]

Maybe selling them or leasing them the hardware.... but not likely making a competitive bid.

I remember one '27 we sent over to Angola... it needed a D Check but all we did was install the African TCAS system (painted bright yellow) and it was flying over there.

[dashx]

As long as WJ is around there is work for KF in YHM.

And if I'm not mistaken YHM (KFC / KF Aero) mechanics are always welcome at WJ.....Roots go back to the start of WJ.

But hey the world is just about done with the Douglas spring and cable company isn't it???

[dashx]

It seems its done just yet. If I can believe what hear that is.

Can someone confirm the DC10's have been sold?

[xchox]

No more TrStars... No more Diesels... No more Douglas Twins... No more 727s... No more JetStars, Sabreliners, etc What a dull fucking time to be a pilot/AME/Spotter.

[fruitloops]

Heard recently that some of those 10's will be flying to South America on a daily basis! Interesting stuff, anyone able to provide further details?

[linecrew]

Heard recently that some of those 10's will be flying to South America on a daily basis! Interesting stuff, anyone able to provide further details?

Perhaps you are referring to this contract between AC and CJ?

http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/ex ... ca-165828/

[nite raider]

Hahahaaaaa.....2 DC10 flights operating today

[fruitloops]

I don't think that's the cargo as it's originating in Canada

I think I found it K-MIA <>BOG - ............appears to be a cocaine run lol

16 Apr Miami (MIA) Bogota (BOG) FK803 3:39 12:01 AM 1:41 AM 3:54 AM
Landed 5:20 AM

15 Apr Bogota (BOG) Miami (MIA) FK800 3:27 6:03 PM 5:53 PM 9:07 PM
Landed 9:20 PM

15 Apr Miami (MIA) Bogota (BOG) FK801 2:56 11:00 AM 11:38 AM 2:39 PM
Landed 2:34 PM

13 Apr Hamilton (YHM) Miami (MIA) - 2:37 - 10:39 PM -
Landed 1:17 AM

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/c-gkfd
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/CGKFD/history

[MyWave]

Those magnificent b@sterds!
What COULD they be up to?

Employing Pilots and Flight Ops personnel?
Outrageous!

[vrefplus5]

KF Cargo launches Miami freighter services to South America - Air Cargo News
http://www.aircargonews.net/news/single ... erica.html

[teacher]

All this sounds like what ACE was doing back in 2003.

[CAL]

So they opened up another company and got another cert to operate out of MIA.
Did they leave the planes C reg or would they eventually have to change them to N reg?