The Fokker 50 and Fokker 60 are twin-turboprop regional aircraft developed by Fokker Aircraft in the Netherlands. Based on the successful Fokker F27 Friendship, the Fokker 50 was introduced in the 1980s as a modernized regional airliner with upgraded engines, avionics, and cabin features. It was designed to compete with newer turboprops like the ATR 42 and Dash 8.

The Fokker 60 is a stretched military/cargo derivative of the Fokker 50, designed with a longer fuselage and a large cargo door for transporting equipment, personnel, or vehicles. Only a handful were produced, primarily for military service.

Key Specifications (Fokker 50)

• Crew: 2 (Pilots).
• Capacity: Typically 50 passengers.
• Length: 25.25 m (82 ft 10 in).
• Wingspan: 29.00 m (95 ft 2 in).
• Height: 8.32 m (27 ft 4 in).
• Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW): ~20,820 kg (45,916 lb).
• Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW125B turboprops.
• Cruise Speed: ~530 km/h (330 mph).
• Range: ~1,600 km (995 mi).
• Ceiling: ~25,000 ft (7,620 m).

Key Specifications (Fokker 60)

• Crew: 2.
• Capacity: Up to 60 passengers or equivalent cargo.
• Length: 26.87 m (88 ft 2 in).
• Wingspan: 29.00 m (95 ft 2 in).
• Height: 8.50 m (27 ft 11 in).
• Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW): ~22,000 kg (48,501 lb).
• Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127B turboprops.
• Cruise Speed: ~500 km/h (310 mph).
• Range: ~2,200 km (1,367 mi).
• Ceiling: ~25,000 ft (7,620 m).

Notable Features

• Fokker 50: Digital avionics and improved fuel efficiency over the F27. Composite materials used in control surfaces for weight savings. Comfortable pressurized cabin with better sound insulation. STOL capability made it suitable for smaller regional airports.
  • Digital avionics and improved fuel efficiency over the F27.
  • Composite materials used in control surfaces for weight savings.
  • Comfortable pressurized cabin with better sound insulation.
  • STOL capability made it suitable for smaller regional airports.
• Fokker 60: Extended fuselage for additional payload capacity. Equipped with a large cargo door on the port side for military transport. Configurable interior for troop transport, medevac, or cargo operations. Rare and primarily used by the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
  • Extended fuselage for additional payload capacity.
  • Equipped with a large cargo door on the port side for military transport.
  • Configurable interior for troop transport, medevac, or cargo operations.
  • Rare and primarily used by the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

Operators & Usage

• Fokker 50: Used by regional airlines across Europe, Asia, and Africa including KLM Cityhopper, Skyways, and Alliance Airlines. Also used by military forces for liaison and transport duties.
  • Used by regional airlines across Europe, Asia, and Africa including KLM Cityhopper, Skyways, and Alliance Airlines.
  • Also used by military forces for liaison and transport duties.
• Fokker 60: Only four built, all originally operated by the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Later sold or transferred to air forces in Peru and other countries.
  • Only four built, all originally operated by the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
  • Later sold or transferred to air forces in Peru and other countries.
• Legacy: Despite the closure of Fokker Aircraft in 1996, both the Fokker 50 and 60 remain in use today thanks to their rugged design and reliable performance.
  • Despite the closure of Fokker Aircraft in 1996, both the Fokker 50 and 60 remain in use today thanks to their rugged design and reliable performance.