Kelowna Flightcraft
| Headquarters | 5830 Old Vernon Road Kelowna KW4 7VB |
| IATA code | FK |
| ICAO code | KFA |
| Call sign | FLIGHTCRAFT |
| Hubs | Kelowna Int'l Airport, Kelowna |
| Services | Scheduled domestic, charter |
Kelowna Flightcraft is an aviation enterprise in British Columbia. It operates a commercial airline under the same name offering scheduled domestic services and domestic, continental, and international charter flights, as well as a manufacturing, sales and service division called KF Helicopters.
Kelowna Flightcraft serves eight domestic destinations with scheduled flights.
History
Kelowna Aviation, Ltd, specialising in the maintenance and overhaul of floatplanes, was established in 1961 after purchasing Supermarine's floatplane facility on the north shore of Ellison Lake, Kelowna.
Kelowna Aviation began ad hoc charter operations in 1962 using three DHC-2 Beaver floatplanes; two years later, it bought all nine of Air BC's Bristol Britannias and began regular, primarily seasonal, charter flights between Kelowna and destinations such as Las Vegas and Reno. These proved a great success, and in March of 1970, Kelowna Aviation entered the jet age with the purchase of five Convair CV-990 jetliners from Air BC, which were used to inaugurate the first regularly scheduled passenger services on the Kelowna–Prince George route, and replacing the Britannias on the Las Vegas and Reno operations. Six months later, Inter-Dominion's entire De Havilland Comet 4 fleet (fourteen aircraft) was purchased, with scheduled services to Vancouver, Victoria, and Dawson Creek being added. The Britannias were converted to freighters; in 1984, freight operations were transferred to a division called Kelowna Cargo
In 1991, the company was renamed Kelowna Flightcraft, under which name it continues to operate scheduled and charter passenger; the cargo division was renamed KF Cargo.
KF Helicopters
Established in 1992, KF Helicopters is the North American representative of the Russian Mil and Kamov helicopter manufacturers, building, selling, and servicing the helicopters of these manufacturers for BC, Canadian, American, and Mexican customers. Helicopters destined for these customers are assembled by KF Helicopters from partial kits - in most cases, North American customers opt for North American or European-made powerplants and avionics, which are installed into airframes assembled in Kelowna from knock-down kits supplied from Russia.
Incidents
- 7 September 1979 Sud Aviation Caravelle III VB-KFK (c/n 195/1965), operating a charter flight from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada to Kelowna, was destroyed after an emergency landing near Brocket, Alberta, 43 miles west of Lethbridge. A fire was discovered in the lavatory and an emergency descent from FL120 was carried out. The aircraft landed safely in a stubble field, but the aircraft was destroyed by fire. All twenty-four passengers and five crew escaped safely.
- 24 October 2001: DHBC-7 Trident 7B VB-KFI (c/n C1236/1972) was parked on the southwest ramp of Hamilton Airport, Ontario in position #9 close to the main gate and not marked with pylons. A second aircraft was parked in the #4 position, leaving little room for the ground vehicle operators to manoeuvre equipment around the aircraft. A K-Loader operator was injured as the K-Loader he was on passed directly beneath the port wing. The driver suffered a head injury and was eventually taken to hospital while the aircraft experienced damage to the port wing flaps, fuel dump port, hydraulics and skin. The aircraft was repaired and returned to service.
Fleet
Kelowna Flightcraft operates a total of 19 aircraft.
Current
| Type | In svce | On order | Introduced | Seats | Range (nmi) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-300(QC) | 6 | 0 | 2002 | - | 2,255 | KF Cargo |
| Boeing 737-800 | 9 | 0 | 2013 | 175Y | 2,935 | |
| Bristol Britannia 310 | 4 | 0 | 1964 | - | 4,430 | KF Cargo |
Historic
- Boeing 737-200C - 9 (1982–2003), Combi, acquired second-hand
- Convair CV-990 - 5 (1970–1976), ex Air BC
- De Havilland Comet 4 - 6 (1970–1984), ex Inter-Dominion
- De Havilland Comet 4C - 13 (1970–1986), 8 ex Inter-Dominion in 1970, 5 ex Air BC in 1971
- DHBC-7A Trident 7A(C) - 3 (1996–2014), ex Panagra Airways; converted to Combi in 1996
- DHBC-7B Trident 7B - 1 (1996–2008), ex Continental Airlines
- DHBC-7B Trident 7B(C) - 2 (1996–2015), ex Panagra Airways; 1 converted to Combi in 1996, 1 in 2000
- DHBC-7C Trident 7C(C) - 3 (1996–2016), ex Panagra Airways; converted to Combi in 1996
- DHC-2 Beaver - (1962–1972), acquired second-hand
- Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle III - 5 (1975–1984), ex Air BC
BC-made aircraft
Note: a green background indicates an aircraft in service, a yellow background indicates a retired aircraft, and a pink background indicates an aircraft lost in an accident.
| Type | Registration | C/n | Blt | Acquisition | Disposal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHBC-7A Trident 7A(C) | VB-KFA | C1003 | 1969 | 1996, bought from Panagra Airways (USA); converted to Combi |
2008, retired |
| DHBC-7A Trident 7A(C) | VB-KFB | C1206 | 1972 | 1996, bought from Panagra Airways (USA); converted to Combi |
2014, retired |
| DHBC-7A Trident 7A(C) | VB-KFC | C1207 | 1972 | 1996, bought from Panagra Airways (USA); converted to Combi |
2011, retired |
| DHBC-7B Trident 7B | VB-KFD | C1107 | 1970 | 1996, bought from Panagra Airways (USA) 2000, converted to Combi |
2015, retired |
| DHBC-7B Trident 7B(C) | VB-KFE | C1233 | 1972 | 1996, bought from Panagra Airways (USA); converted to Combi |
2015, retired |
| DHBC-7B Trident 7B | VB-KFI | C1236 | 1972 | 1996, bought from Continental Airlines (USA) | 2008, retired |
| DHBC-7C Trident 7C(C) | VB-KFF | C1122 | 1971 | 1996, bought from Panagra Airways (USA); converted to Combi |
2015, retired |
| DHBC-7C Trident 7C(C) | VB-KFG | C1146 | 1971 | 1996, bought from Panagra Airways (USA); converted to Combi |
2015, retired |
| DHBC-7C Trident 7C(C) | VB-KFH | C1189 | 1972 | 1996, bought from Panagra Airways (USA); converted to Combi |
2016, sold to Texas Aviation Group (USA) |
Other aircraft
| Type | Registration | C/n | Blt | Acquisition | Disposal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-248C | VB-KFO | 20218 | 1969 | 1982, bought from Aer Lingus (Ireland) | 1999, sold to Royal Air Cambodge (Cambodia) |
| Boeing 737-248C | VB-KFP | 20219 | 1969 | 1982, bought from Aer Lingus (Ireland) | 1999, sold to Royal Air Cambodge (Cambodia) |
| Boeing 737-205C | VB-KFQ | 20458 | 1971 | 1984, bought from Braathens S.A.F.E. (Norway) | 2000, sold to Transmile Air Services (Malaysia) |
| Boeing 737-205C | VB-KFR | 20711 | 1973 | 1984, bought from Braathens S.A.F.E. (Norway) | 2002, sold to Nolinor (Canada) |
| Boeing 737-205C | VB-KFS | 19408 | 1968 | 1984, bought from Braathens S.A.F.E. (Norway) | 1997, sold to Sakhalin Airlines (Russia) |
| Boeing 737-205C | VB-KFT | 19409 | 1968 | 1984, bought from Braathens S.A.F.E. (Norway) | 2001, sold to Aero Continente (Peru) |
| Boeing 737-204C | VB-KFR | 20389 | 1970 | 1990, bought from Britannia Airways (UK) | 2002, sold to ATA Brasil (Brazil) |
| Boeing 737-204C | VB-KFS | 20282 | 1970 | 1990, bought from Britannia Airways (UK) | 2002, sold to ATA Brasil (Brazil) |
| Boeing 737-204C | VB-KFT | 20633 | 1973 | 1990, bought from Britannia Airways (UK) | 2001, sold to LAN Chile (Chile) |
| Boeing 737-3M8(QC) | VB-KFU | 24021 | 1988 | 2002, bought from Europe Airpost (France) | in service |
| Boeing 737-3M8(QC) | VB-KFV | 24364 | 1988 | 2002, bought from Europe Airpost (France) | in service |
| Boeing 737-377(QC) | VB-KFW | 24303 | 1988 | 2003, bought from Region Air (Singapore), converted to QC | in service |
| Boeing 737-377(QC) | VB-KFX | 24304 | 1988 | 2003, bought from Region Air (Singapore), converted to QC | in service |
| Boeing 737-377(QC) | VB-KFY | 24305 | 1988 | 2003, bought from Region Air (Singapore), converted to QC | in service |
| Boeing 737-3B7(QC) | VB-KFZ | 24410 | 1989 | 2003, bought from US Airways (USA), converted to QC | in service |
| Boeing 737-8K5 | VB-KFA | 27981 | 1997 | 2013, bought from Hapag Lloyd (Germany) | in service |
| Boeing 737-8K5 | VB-KFB | 27985 | 1999 | 2013, bought from Hapag Lloyd (Germany) | in service |
| Boeing 737-8K5 | VB-KFC | 27991 | 1999 | 2013, bought from Hapag Lloyd (Germany) | in service |
| Boeing 737-86J | VB-KFD | 28070 | 1998 | 2014, bought from Air Berlin (Germany) | in service |
| Boeing 737-8K5 | VB-KFE | 28623 | 2000 | 2014, bought from Air Berlin (Germany) | in service |
| Boeing 737-86Q | VB-KFF | 30286 | 2003 | 2014, bought from Air Berlin (Germany) | in service |
| Boeing 737-86J | VB-KFG | 32625 | 2001 | 2014, bought from Air Berlin (Germany) | in service |
| Boeing 737-83N | VB-KFH | 28244 | 2001 | 2016, bought from Nordwind Airlines (Russia) | in service |
| Boeing 737-83N | VB-KFI | 28247 | 2002 | 2016, bought from Nordwind Airlines (Russia) | in service |
| Bristol Britannia 310 | VB-KFA VB-KFA VB-KCA |
12918 | 1956 | 1964, bought from Air BC 1970, converted to freighter 1984, re-registered |
1987, retired |
| Bristol Britannia 310 | VB-KFB VB-KFB VB-KCB |
12919 | 1956 | 1964, bought from Air BC 1970, converted to freighter 1984, re-registered |
1993, retired |
| Bristol Britannia 310 | VB-KFC VB-KFC VB-KCC |
12927 | 1957 | 1964, bought from Air BC 1970, converted to freighter 1984, re-registered |
in service |
| Bristol Britannia 310 | VB-KFD VB-KFD VB-KCD |
12928 | 1957 | 1964, bought from Air BC 1970, converted to freighter 1984, re-registered |
2000, retired |
| Bristol Britannia 310 | VB-KFE VB-KFE VB-KCE |
12929 | 1957 | 1964, bought from Air BC 1970, converted to freighter 1984, re-registered |
1986, retired |
| Bristol Britannia 310 | VB-KFF VB-KFF VB-KCF |
12930 | 1957 | 1964, bought from Air BC 1970, converted to freighter 1984, re-registered |
in service |
| Bristol Britannia 310 | VB-KFG VB-KFG VB-KCG |
13204 | 1958 | 1964, bought from Air BC 1970, converted to freighter 1984, re-registered |
1999, retired |
| Bristol Britannia 310 | VB-KFH VB-KFH VB-KCH |
13205 | 1958 | 1964, bought from Air BC 1970, converted to freighter 1984, re-registered |
in service |
| Bristol Britannia 310 | VB-KFI VB-KFI VB-KCI |
13206 | 1958 | 1964, bought from Air BC 1970, converted to freighter 1984, re-registered |
in service |
| Convair CV-990-30A-5 | VB-KEO | 30101 | 1961 | 1970, bought from Air BC | 1976, retired |
| Convair CV-990-30A-5 | VB-KEP | 30102 | 1961 | 1970, bought from Air BC | 1976, retired |
| Convair CV-990-30A-5 | VB-KEQ | 30103 | 1961 | 1970, bought from Air BC | 1976, retired |
| Convair CV-990-30A-5 | VB-KER | 30104 | 1961 | 1970, bought from Air BC | 1976, retired |
| Convair CV-990-30A-6 | VB-KES | 30105 | 1961 | 1970, bought from Air BC | 1976, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4 | VB-KEA | 6439 | 1959 | 1970, bought from Inter-Dominion Air Lines | 1983, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4 | VB-KEB | 6440 | 1959 | 1970, bought from Inter-Dominion Air Lines | 1984, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4 | VB-KEC | 6441 | 1959 | 1970, bought from Inter-Dominion Air Lines | 1981, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4 | VB-KED | 6442 | 1960 | 1970, bought from Inter-Dominion Air Lines | 1980, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4 | VB-KEE | 6443 | 1960 | 1970, bought from Inter-Dominion Air Lines | 1980, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4 | VB-KEF | 6444 | 1960 | 1970, bought from Inter-Dominion Air Lines | 1982, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4C | VB-KEG | 6465 | 1961 | 1970, bought from Inter-Dominion Air Lines | 1984, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4C | VB-KEH | 6466 | 1961 | 1970, bought from Inter-Dominion Air Lines | 1984, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4C | VB-KEI | 6480 | 1962 | 1970, bought from Inter-Dominion Air Lines | 1985, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4C | VB-KEJ | 6481 | 1962 | 1970, bought from Inter-Dominion Air Lines | 1981, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4C | VB-KEK | 6486 | 1963 | 1970, bought from Inter-Dominion Air Lines | 1983, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4C | VB-KEL | 6487 | 1963 | 1970, bought from Inter-Dominion Air Lines | 1986, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4C | VB-KEM | 6487 | 1963 | 1970, bought from Inter-Dominion Air Lines | 1986, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4C | VB-KEN | 6488 | 1963 | 1970, bought from Inter-Dominion Air Lines | 1985, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4C | VB-KET | 6453 | 1961 | 1971, bought from Air BC | 1982, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4C | VB-KEU | 6454 | 1961 | 1971, bought from Air BC | 1984, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4C | VB-KEV | 6455 | 1961 | 1971, bought from Air BC | 1981, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4C | VB-KEW | 6464 | 1962 | 1971, bought from Air BC | 1986, retired |
| De Havilland Comet 4C | VB-KEX | 6466 | 1962 | 1971, bought from Air BC | 1985, retired |
| De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver | VB-KFA VB-KEX |
70 | 1950 | 1962, bought from Virgin Islands Airways (US Virgin Islands) 1964, re-registered |
1982, sold to Cargair (Canada) |
| De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver | VB-KFB VB-KEY |
380 | 1952 | 1962, bought from US Air Force (USA) 1964, re-registered |
1979, sold to a private buyer (USA) |
| De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver | VB-KFC VB-KEZ |
382 | 1952 | 1962, bought from US Air Force (USA) 1964, re-registered |
1982, sold to Cargair (Canada) |
| Sud Aviation Caravelle III | VB-KFJ | 191 | 1965 | 1975, bought from Air BC | 1982, retired |
| Sud Aviation Caravelle III | VB-KFK | 195 | 1965 | 1975, bought from Air BC | 1979, destroyed |
| Sud Aviation Caravelle III | VB-KFL | 208 | 1966 | 1975, bought from Air BC | 1984, retired |
| Sud Aviation Caravelle III | VB-KFM | 214 | 1967 | 1975, bought from Air BC | 1984, retired |
| Sud Aviation Caravelle III | VB-KFN | 217 | 1967 | 1975, bought from Air BC | 1982, retired |
Routes
Entries with a green background indicates a destination in British Columbia.
| Airport | Service area | Destination | Aircraft | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blaenau (XBL) | Domestic | Kelowna (XKL) | 737-800 | |
| Dawson Creek (XDC) | Domestic | Kelowna (XKL) | 737-800 | |
| Kelowna (XKL) | Domestic | Blaenau (XBL) | 737-800 | |
| Dawson Creek (XDC) | 737-800 | |||
| Kamloops (XKL) | 737-800 | |||
| Prince George (XPG) | 737-800 | |||
| Trail (XTR) | 737-800 | |||
| Valemount (XVL) | 737-800 | |||
| Vancouver (XVR) | 737-800 | |||
| Victoria (XVI) | 737-800 | |||
| Continental | Las Vegas (LAS) | 737-800 | Seasonal | |
| Portland (PDX) | 737-800 | |||
| Reno (RNO) | 737-800 | Seasonal | ||
| Seattle (SEA) | 737-800 | |||
| Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (LAS) | Continental | Kelowna (XKL) | 737-800 | Seasonal |
| Portland, Oregon, USA (PDX) | Continental | Kelowna (XKL) | 737-800 | |
| Prince George (XPG) | Domestic | Kelowna (XKL) | 737-800 | |
| Reno, Nevada, USA (RNO) | Continental | Kelowna (XKL) | 737-800 | Seasonal |
| Seattle, Washington, USA (LAS) | Continental | Kelowna (XKL) | 737-800 | |
| Trail Airport (XTR) | Domestic | Kelowna (XKL) | 737-800 | |
| Valemount (XVL) | Domestic | Kelowna (XKL) | 737-800 | |
| Vancouver (XVR) | Domestic | Kelowna (XKL) | 737-800 | |
| Victoria (XVI) | Domestic | Kelowna (XKL) | 737-800 |