580 to Valdez

Convair 580 to Valdez
By Jan Koppen

When working for KLM Cargo, one is always surrounded by the modern screaming jets. Once a while, the need for some aviation nostalgia must be fulfilled. Nowadays, the choice is limited. Fortunately, Alaska is a land with still a good number of operational Big Props. In April 2000, I decided to visit this Greatland.

The pics are digital copies of paper photos, so quality low, but what does it matter? It goes about the experience!

Era Aviation was an airline based in Anchorage, Alaska, United States. It operated a network of services from Anchorage as part of Alaska Airlines Partnerships. Its main base was Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Era Aviation has since been renamed Corvus Airlines who currently do business as Ravn Alaska. The company slogan was FlySmart. FlyEra.

Era Aviation was established and initiated operations in 1948 when Carl Brady flew the first commercial helicopter to Alaska for contract work supporting a mapping project for the U.S. government. Fixed-wing aircraft were then acquired by the company in addition to helicopters with rotorcraft being operated in Alaska, California and Louisiana by the Era Helicopters division. Scheduled fixed-wing passenger services began in May 1983. During the summer of 1984, Era was operating scheduled services between Anchorage and Bethel, Kenai and Valdez. Era was a wholly owned division of the Rowan Companies. The airline formerly operated Convair 580 turboprops as well as de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and DHC-7 Dash 7 aircraft and then added DHC-8 Dash 8 turboprops. Most of the airline's scheduled passenger flights were code share feeder services for Alaska Airlines. Era used the two-letter "AS" airline code for its flight numbers on these services for Alaska Airlines. Beechcraft 1900C and Beechcraft 1900D turboprops were subsequently added to the fleet.

Effective February 27, 2009, Era Aviation, Inc. was bought out and became a subsidiary of The Frontier Alaska Group along with Frontier Flying Service and Hageland Aviation. The combination of the three air carriers resulted in the largest Alaska-based airline in terms of serving more destinations and passengers operated with the largest airplane fleet in the state. The three airlines then operated under the marketing name of Era Alaska/Frontier Alaska (Hagland Aviation and Frontier Flying Services) which has since changed the marketing name of all the airlines to Ravn Alaska/Ravn Connect brands.

Era Aviation previously operated Convair 580 turboprop aircraft as well as de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and DHC-7 Dash 7 turboprop aircraft. The Twin Otter and Dash 7 are short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft. The company also operated a Lear 35 business jet; however, this aircraft was not used in scheduled passenger airline operations. A flight seeing air tour service with Douglas DC-3 aircraft was also operated from Anchorage as Era Classic Airlines.

After being bought and sold several times over the years, Era filed for bankruptcy in 2005. In 2009 the company was acquired by rival Frontier Alaska Group and the Frontier Flying Service Part 121 mainline operation was in the process of being merged into Era Aviation's certificate. In 2010, Era Alaska was formed using the assets of Frontier Alaska Group, Frontier Flying Service, Era Aviation, and Hageland Aviation. In 2014, Era's parent company changed its name to Corvus Airlines d/b/a Ravn Alaska.

The Convair 580 is a conversion from the Convair CV-340 (Allison Prop-Jet Convair 340) or CV-440 aircraft with two Allison 501 D13D/H turboprop engines with four-blade propellers, in place of piston engines with three-blade propellers, an enlarged vertical fin and modified horizontal stabilizers. The conversions were performed by Pacific Airmotive on behalf of the Allison Engine Company. The conversions took 60 days. The CV-580 served with the original Frontier Airlines (1950-1986), Allegheny Airlines and North Central Airlines for many years and was also the first aircraft type operated by American Eagle on behalf of American Airlines in code sharing feeder service.

N566EA Convair 580 Era Aviation, at ANC during the last week of April 2000. The Convair, which was manufactured as a '440' in 1956, is ex Sabena Airlines . Later with Frontier and then a whole bunch of odds & ends after that until acquired by Era in May 1989. In October 2005 she was sold to Air Chathams as ZK-CIF.

Immaculate Era Aviation Convair 580 N566EA parked alongside the airline's headquarters at Anchorage on April 29, 2000.

Era Aviation Inc. - Flying at its best!

Era's pristine Convair 580 shows off heer smart red, black and white livery at her Anchorage base.

Welcome Aboard!

The propeller has lift on one side and drag at the other. At the tip "induced drag" is created, which means that lift and drag meet and balance out. This create tip vortices, which are accountable for most noise - When compared, rounded tips create less induced drag than square tips and thus less noise.

Big paddles of the Allison 501-D13H.

This Convair started life as a '340' in 1952. She previously served with Frontier Airlines and Aspen Airways, before she started working for Era Aviation in 1980. In May 2003 she was sold to Kelowna Flightcraft in may 2003. In 2010 she was seen partly dismantled at Kelowna airport.

The might of those powerful Allisons turboprops is shown off the great effect in the shot of Era Aviation Convair 580 N569JA.

After nine years of operations with United Airlines as a '340', the aircraft was converted to ‘580’ status in early 60's. In 1982 she was acquired by Era Aviation as N569JA. In 2010 she was sold to Kelowna Flightcraft for part-out & scrap at Kelowna airport.

Era's Convair 580 N569JA close-up with a fantastic mountain view dropback.

The bright colors of Era Aviation Convair 580, caught by the camera, on a quiet sunny day at Anchorage.

N565EA looks great in Era Aviation livery.

Fatigue and corrosion problems are constant enemies of classic turboprop airlines.

The formidable paddle-bladed propellors of Era Convair 580 N569JA are awaiting another day's action.

N569JA chilling at the Era ramp, ready to take on another assignment.

Economy Helicopters & Rotor-Aids make-up Era Aviation Inc.

N568JA was almost 47 years old when captured on film in April 2000 and had seen service with Frontier Airlines, Gem State Airlines and Golden Gate Airlines, before beginning a long career with Era Aviaiton. In May 2003 the sturdy Convair went to Conair Aviation in January 2004 to become Air Tanker 47.

N568JA Era Aviation Convair 580 in C—check at Era's maintenance, April 2000.

Nose-on shot of N568JA.

This beauty is a Douglas Commercial C—47B-50-DK was delivered by Douglas Aircraft Company to the USAAF in 1945. When her military career was over, her civilian life started. With Era Classic Airlines she operated sigh-seening flights from Merrill airfield, where I photographed her on April 30, 2000. Presently she is touring the world in the old Pan American World Airways colors as N33611.

"Spirit of Alaska" a time capsule of aviation history.

Clearly happy in their work, Captain Gale Amstrong and co-pilot Paige Lewis, relax for a brief moment before commencing flight ERA 4800 to Valdez.

A view on Cook Inlet!

Allison turboprops at work!

Another quick turnround for N538JA as it disembarks passengers from Anchorage, at Valdez.

Dramatic scenic backdrop at Valdez Airport.

Morning departure to Anchorage.

Breath-taking views from Convairliner N538JA during flight ERA 4801.

... and back at ANC!

Lining-up in beautiful light conditions.

Era's pristine Convair 580 N566EA runs-up her powerful Allison engines prior to departure from Anchorage runway 14.

Convair 580 N566EA, the perfect blend of beguiling beauty and brutal shattering power.

Trip down memory lane - N566EA taking off from Anchorage in April 2000, with the Chugach Mountains are in the background.

- The End -

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Convair 580 to Valdez By Jan Koppen

Convair 580 to Valdez
By Jan Koppen