A rather pathetic end to an era. Airservices Australia Fokker 28 Fellowship VH-ATD operated the last flight by the Airservices' Flying Unit on 3 February 1998, a training detail from Melbourne/Essendon to Avalon and return. Using the callsign 'AUSCAL 100', the aircraft touched down at Essendon's Runway 17 at 1250 EDST, bringing to an end 77 years of aircraft operations by 'the Department'. Ordinarily the Airport Fire Service would have provided a farewell salute, however since the fire service had long been withdrawn from Essendon improvisation by one of the Airservices Engineers was the order of the day.

The Flying Unit's last operational mission commenced on 27 January when VH-ATD flew from Essendon to RAAF Richmond. On arrival the aircraft checked out the base's ILS Localizer and Glide Slope before overnighting. The following day VH-ATD flew from Richmond to RAAF East Sale where it checked out the Localizer/Glideslope and the TACAN. After another night stop the aircraft returned to Essendon on 29 January.

VH-ATD was subsequently sold to TimeAir in Canada - click here to read about its subsequent history.

(Photo: Gordon Reid)

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