Why Do Lockheed L-188 Electras Still Fly in Canada?
Video from the channel Alex Praglowski Aviation about Lockheed L-188 Electra, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 6:32. Language: English. Video type: Documentary.
What it's about
Explains why examples of the Lockheed L-188 Electra, the first American-built turboprop airliner, are still flying in Canada. It first flew in 1957 and entered service with Eastern and American Airlines in 1959.
Historical background
170 L-188s were built, and they left scheduled passenger service long ago. According to Canada's civil register there are 23 Electras registered, between L-188A and L-188C: one with Conair, eight with Buffalo Airways and fourteen with Air Spray. The Royal Canadian Air Force also operates 14 CP-140 Auroras, derived from the P-3 Orion, in service since 1980 and based at Comox and Greenwood.
Key facts
Their main use is firefighting: good low-speed control, short runways, missions of up to 4 hours and over 11,000 litres of retardant. Buffalo also uses it for cargo, carrying up to 33,000 pounds on unpaved runways. Conair retired its only Electra at the end of the 2020 season due to structural fatigue, wiring and lack of manufacturer support, replacing it with Dash 8-400 tankers from Flybe. After a life-extension program, the CP-140s will keep flying until 2030.