In late 1960s and early 1970s the need became acute for an aircraft capable of carrying out airways survey tasks at the speeds and altitudes of the jet aircraft that had come into airline service. DCA's previous survey aircraft was the turboprop Fokker F.27.

The decision was made to purchase two F28s and a contract was signed in 1974. The chief factors influencing the decision to purchase the Fokker F28 were range, performance, field performance and load-carrying cabability. The first aircraft was delivered in December 1976, and a third aircraft was later added to the fleet. Click here to read more about the selection and role of these aircraft.

By 1998 all three of the F28s were disposed of and the airways survey work was taken over by an IAI Astra VH-FIS and Beech 350 Super King Air VH-FIX operated on contract.