Historical Flight Foundation, Inc. (HFF) (Opa-locka) has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authority to operate its restored Douglas DC-7B N836D (msn 43545) which is painted in the 1940 Falcon colors of Eastern Air Lines (later Eastern Airlines). The FAA granted an exemption to Historical Flight Foundation to operate the classic airliner effective March 23, 2010.
According to the press release, “The FAA finds that a grant of exemption would be in the public interest and would provide an equivalent level of safety to that provided by current regulation.”
The HFF is unique in that its Douglas Aircraft Company DC-7B aircraft represents the only U.S. based, four engine, passenger propliner in operation today. With the advent of jet aircraft, most of the DC-7B aircraft disappeared from commercial airline service by the early 1970’s. The majority of the DC-7 were simply scrapped as they were seen as being un-economical to operate. In this unique case, the aircraft being operated by the HFF was still in its original passenger configuration as delivered to Eastern Air Lines in January 1958. Of the 112 DC-7 aircraft produced, this is the only surviving passenger configuration aircraft.
Signed: John W. McGraw, Acting Director, Flight Standards Service
The HFF sincerely appreciates the great effort on the part of the FAA to promote the living history program it has been approved for. The HFF is an IRS certified 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. The airplane will be touring the continental USA in the years ahead creating a passion for aviation not seen for a long time.We will be taking reservations deposits on a first come first served basis. Contact the HFF for details.
The announcement date for the Christening and Inaugural Flight will be made in the forthcoming weeks.
Roger Jarman, Secretary
Historical Flight Foundation, Inc.
Miami, Florida”
This is a fine organization, please visit their website:
http://www.historicalflightfoundation.com/
Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. Douglas DC-7B N836D (msn 43545) shines again in the Florida sunshine at Opa-locka (near Miami).
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