Flying on a 30 YEAR OLD African Airliner!

I flew on a 30 year old African Airliner across Kenya with a mysterious airline called Skyward Express.
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[@noelphilips]

Get your hands on exclusive Noel Merch! www.noelphilips.com

[@flyingbicycle6303]

:D

[@flyingbicycle6303]

1 week ago??? 😂

[@TAILSORANGEs]

Dude, the Republic of Singapore Air Force have several of these.... It's good and reliable enough.

[@cplayzstuff6907]

How is his comment been made a week ago?

[@Elias-xy9kc]

CPlayzRBX yup! Your right! But maybe he uploaded the video privately, but then changed it back into public! 😂😂

[@Paul_Lucas]

Hahaha my God that takeoff 💀 a bit spicy for me!

[@rapkae]

And I always thought trip reporters never get nervous 😄

[@Oni76]

No kidding! And after seeing the grass right after rotation, I'm just thinking when do I impact the trees just beyond.

[@hatersgalore9792]

Love your videos Noel and same with you Paul !

[@zilindogomes1767]

I thought you were joking until I saw it 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤦🏿‍♂️

[@helwatywahab5236]

BettheR tHaN rrryyyaaANaiiiIRr

[@mattsciascia]

First Officer: Looks like we're coming up about 500 meters short on our take-off run calculations. Captain: OK, sounds good!

[@skipper787]

The translation at 3:45 had me laughing because that's definitely what she said and that's what everyone should do.

[@davecross4408]

She was actually singing along to the song she had playing on her headphones- "You can stand under my Umbrella-ella-ella-ella..."

[@shanaihill2849]

@@davecross4408 hahahaha

[@tonnyanthonys2159]

Hahaha wapenda sifa mko

[@barronmwachiro1414]

The translation was a total joke to let subscribe not the actually word she said was translated

[@barronmwachiro1414]

The translation was a total joke to let subscribe not the actually word she said was translated

[@BAn-hy3ts]

Fokker: Dutch top quality. Accidents happened by human errors. They could fly another 30 years if mantained well.

[@derbisenda1330]

True

[@declan-kayodekeegan1598]

I used to fly them. Pretty reliable.

[@captainCaybrew]

Only issue is a lot of airlines that get them second hand don’t maintain them too well. Also clearly they shouldn’t be using this aircraft at this airport, especially in the rain.

[@ilovecops5499]

No. the are knows THE FLYEING COFFENS!

[@simonf8902]

Fokker Friendships underpinned Australian regional flying for 40 years. Great planes.

[@isaacbentham3731]

Russia: we pay for whole runway we use whole runway Kenya: hold my beer

[@kofidebrah7594]

Very funny!

[@victorkoval3783]

F50 Takeoff: 1,350 m (4,430 ft) - ISA, SL, MTOW + runaway 14 Wilson airport 1,300 m = Russia is to blame))

[@gnturibi]

1.4 km at 5300ft. A tight one

[@taicunlife5662]

@@victorkoval3783 wtf

[@samuelkundael3503]

@Max S russians do still fly planes in parts of africa where other pilots have refused e.g. the congo, mozambique,...

[@bas3q]

6:48 Now that's a mark of Kenyan efficiency, V2 with 1 meter remaining! 👍🏽👍🏽

[@flightimage845]

I’ve been on flights where passengers have clapped on landing. Perhaps here, they should clap following takeoff, too!

[@brianjrichman]

Ah yes. African regional airlines is where old airplanes go to retire... Music is very appropriate... Love the high tech rain deflection technology too!!!!

[@BigEsTruckstop]

I believe you meant to say crash and be scrapped not retire

[@exiletsj2570]

Ironically they've probably never worked harder in their lives. Poor old focker 😆

[@Tata-bd9nx]

@@BigEsTruckstop Actually there are not many crashes,as you would think🤷‍♀️

[@yungkneez]

Wow, such an efficient runway design! Exactly the length needed for takeoff and not an inch more! /s But seriously, holy cow was that a nail-biter.

[@christiancostantino7220]

Russian proverb: We pay for the whole runway, we use the whole runway

[@MK-tg6oi]

Airline: the perfect lenth runway not a inch more Customer: what if a engine fails or something : Airline there is no time for that

[@alielabdimarras7965]

@@christiancostantino7220 Some also keep it in ground effect as long as possible to gain some speed, sounds like the recipe to grossly overload.

[@christiancostantino7220]

@@alielabdimarras7965 Yup

[@waynej747]

The airline paid to use the whole runway, and they wanted to get their money’s worth.

[@abupeled4340]

best comment lol

[@mattmurphy1362]

Should be called: ”Trying not to develop a fear of flying on a random 30-year-old African airplane owned by an airline that barely has a website”

[@Ephrem58]

Wow, the take off ... exactly as you said...

[@FlyGuy1]

It was like a 30 second roll as well, which is way longer than normal on a plane like that 😂

[@petebeard324]

Lovely to see an old F50 again, I wrote some of the maintenance manuals for this aircraft back in 1988

[@KevoMazziwa]

Gold touch mate

[@jasongnome]

You can still get on a Fokker 50 on a scheduled flight from London. Air Antwerp use one on their sole scheduled route, London City to Antwerp.

[@paullee5573]

I cannot speak for other countries, as I have little knowledge of their air safety regulations. However, all aircraft operating from uk ports need a valid C of A. This is like a cars mot, but stricter. Each aircraft undergoing such tests are virtually stripped to the last nut and bolt. This ensures that every aircrzft holding such s certificate is as good as new. It csn therefor be taken as read that all such aircraft were virtually new on the day the certificate was issued. No doubt some, less safety conscious, nations, will fraudulently circumvent this system. So always fly on aicraft which operate out of the uk, if you can. This will ensure you fly in a more safe aircraft. Sorry if you already knew this. But not everybody is aware.

[@alangaming2003]

If I did ever takeoff from that runway I will brace for takeoff

[@africa.fs.0719]

Haha!!!😀😀😀

[@michaelireri38]

😂😂😂

[@rachellowden4548]

‘For those who managed to board without being decapitated..’ 😜 love your work Noel!!!

[@exiletsj2570]

So basically the Vr is just the end of the runway 😆

[@jaru75]

Yes after that its you and your angels 😇

[@thomaskettunen3699]

V1... 10 seconds later... Rotate

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

That’s how it should be, otherwise the extra pavement is waisted.

[@robindoulton7220]

@@thomaskettunen3699 more like.. Rotate.... 10 seconds later V1

[@caseydykes117]

@@user-tb7rn1il3q if I pay for the whole runway I'ma use the whole runway

[@CottonEyedBro]

Noel, thanks for these vids. I fly about 300k miles a year and have been grounded since Mar due to covid. Living vicariously through your vlogs has gotten me through this and scratched my travel itch. Keep up the great work.

[@awaywithpaul3423]

I think Alex Ferguson would call that takeoff a squeaky bum moment!! Love it!

[@lydialas1649]

@Hi Paul how are you doing

[@kevinkilonzo7333]

Hahaha the humor in the swahili translation caption got me subscribing. Good stuff noel.

[@FredNdaga]

STOL executed perfectly. Most of the pilots flying civilian planes in Kenya are ex-military men

[@careygrant8697]

You know you're getting old when even 30-year-old turboprops look young 🙁

[@thatguyalex2835]

Nothing wrong with that. :) It is a natural process of life. Merry Christmas and happy new year BTW

[@Elias-xy9kc]

5:52 That’s when you try ( *We pay for whole runway, we use whole runway* ) but your not Russian! 😂😂🤪

[@kleeblattchen38]

Just a little sidenote: This is Wilson Airport and not the normal, international airport of Nairobi which is further to the east...

[@TheAbartw]

Nairobi approach /dept covers both Wilson and jomo. The airports are very close togther.

[@MrMaboboz]

@@TheAbartw not that close if you factor in the traffic between the two.p

[@MaddoxKillgore]

@@MrMaboboz Traffic? He's talking about planes !!

[@bjoe385]

FSX has taught me that the minimum runway length is just a suggestion, not a rule.

[@rampak1]

I had a holiday in Kenya many years ago and one of our party commented that "They fly their aeroplanes the same way they drive their cars" BTW to me there is something reassuring about flying in a 30 year-old 'plane: It hasn't crashed in 30 years, what are the chances of it crashing now...

[@queenqueen9378]

You should come back in Kenya we tour together 😘😄😄, when you come please just let me know😊😊

[@news603redux]

It's due, lol.

[@TheBobthunder1]

Higher now 😂

[@jiriq8853]

What an amazing video! You are so brave, my heart was beating hard just from watching the take off 😀

[@bas3q]

7:10 Mind your head - 'cept when there's a spinning prop about, then you're all good.

[@jaru75]

Thank you so much for the video o did the same F50 some time back and was worried by lack of care of the plane ..small things like coach roaches in the gaps make you ask what else is not being checked but absolutely stellar flight and cabin crew. Thank you again for gracing Kenya with your visit during this time.

[@Bad_Karma1968]

Another very interesting vlog Noel ! Fokker 50 ? A true classic ! They used the whole runway ? 🤔

[@AndrewTubbiolo]

That's what I call economizing. Nevermind wasting money on an option to abort takeoff. What do we overpay pilots for anyway?

[@lydialas1649]

@Hi Ted how are you doing

[@cdnsk12]

I was in Mombasa, Malindi & Lamu in 1972. I had a good time; especially in Malindi. Great snorkeling. We bought huge live lobsters on the beach & cooked them up in our motel kitchen.

[@Extraedit]

The touch down was smooth.. 😊 😊

[@warnerbeachful]

Thanks for this very informative video. You are certainly very brave to get in to this plane at all. Well done.

[@markstedman4592]

Brilliant video Noel. This is you at your best again. So nice to see something so different.

[@mr2spyderchronicles287]

Those torsion links bearings are shot. That wheel is woobling like crazy

[@Boeing_Luke]

Hey Noel, you can get a Alliance Airlines Fokker 50 from Adelaide to Olympic Dam. I use to work for them, loved the old 50

[@rafflesnh]

"The weather here in Kenya is just so varied". Well it would be as there is a ca. 5,500 ft difference in altitude between the two. ;-)

[@iamjijo2872]

Yeah sure

[@_TheRock]

That takeoff 🛫 🙊🙈🙉 great video as always, really appreciate the unique and unusual adventures you take us on👍

[@maloucarreras]

HAHAHA! I laughed so hard on the “Adam Ant” thing!!! 😂😂😂

[@followyourdreams8673]

Oh my goodness, where did the runway go! You have nerves of steel going on that plane! Great video!

[@MrSpeedbird]

one of the funniest videos i’ve watched in quite a while!!

[@mastersingleton]

Noel your subtitles is one of the best and most entertaining one among the Airline review channels.

[@mylosairplanefan]

Wow, that take off was scary haha. Awesome video, Noel!

[@nicodegoeij5109]

Great travelreports Noel. Especially the exotic and unknown airlines and airports are adventures itself.

[@nh8383]

Great fun. Thanks for uploading 👍🏼

[@richardmatthews4302]

Excellent video as always, love the background music!

[@michaelf.h8507]

Love a runway that is the exact length of an F50 take off. Very abstemious use of tarmac. Bravo

[@galihxtreme]

"I've rode an F-50..." "Really, the Ferrari?" "No, the Fokker..." Still, could be worse... Could've been F-27.

[@declan-kayodekeegan1598]

I liked the sound of heart beat you added on the take off run and how it stopped on take off, LOL! Nice touch. 😂

[@Oyzatt]

😂

[@srmashwani]

Best aviation channel for me. There is always a twist. I still remember your Himalaya videos where your helo got stuck in bad weather.

[@F50Aircraft]

The aircraft (F50) may be old but you do realise the aircraft is tough, strong and sturdy - look at the airframe...tough as nails. There is nothing wrong with the F50 aircraft. It has excellent range, is fuel efficient and has reasonable cruise speed (up to 270 knots) for a turboprop aircraft of its size (50 seats). I think your opinion and assessment of the F50 is a bit harsh. Nothing wrong with old aircraft if they get the job done as good as newer aircraft.

[@thomaskettunen3699]

Nothing wrong with it, just they would need better performance at that airport (or longer rwy)

[@F50Aircraft]

@@thomaskettunen3699 which airport?

[@thomaskettunen3699]

@@F50Aircraft This video had departure from Wilson airport WIL/HKNW. Longest rwy 1560m plus elevation is 5500ft. This would never be allowed in Europe as the runway is shorter than required for the elevation for the F50

[@F50Aircraft]

@@thomaskettunen3699 F50s used to fly to Carnarvon airport where the runway there is 1,679m

[@thomaskettunen3699]

@@F50Aircraft That would be completely reasonable since it's at sea level. F50 requires just about 1300m ASL

[@A6RXN]

HAHAH The subtitles had me in kinks🤣🤣🤣

[@cplayzstuff6907]

I'm kind of new to this channel! Nice video! Can you fly on more British airways planes? I love the way the lady was going crazy about sharing a brolly with Noel Phillips.

[@Niyo833]

He probably just wrote in what he wanted her to say. I don’t think she actually cared

[@nycflyertravel]

Wow, this really makes me realize how much I take for granted the rules/regulations here.

[@garethonthetube]

University colleague told me of a flight in a DC3 somewhere in Africa. He asked why he had to sit on the floor. Half of the seats had been removed due to hot and high regulations, but they filled the plane anyway!

[@KristopherNoronha]

should have taken a camping chair along :D

[@zeFizZ]

Just for your info as you seem interested, the state of the runway (wet/ice/etc) has less to do with the Take-Off Distance Required (TODR), but more with the Stop distance (ASDA) in case of malfunctions. Of course an aircraft needs a certain amount of runway but that doesn't change with the runway state, just the by you mentioned density, temperature, etc. Now the crashed plane actually overran on landing (If I looked up the right one!). Love your reports, even more being grounded & furloughed now!

[@tomhami]

I Flew on a Fly540 ATR 42 from the early 80s a few years back from NBO to Melinda, it was very tired and you entered through the cargo area. The return to NBO was via Mombasa where I sat in the dispatchers office having a chat as the only passenger while they refuelled.

[@Janella_Ice_Ice_Baby]

Noel, I’m curious. Flying during the pandemic, getting your temp taken all over the world, what are your thoughts/plans if you were to suddenly have a fever that you didn’t expect and you get stuck somewhere remote?

[@PeteMachini6732]

Lol that take off, it's like when I try to take off a boeing 747 from a regional airport on FSX.

[@christiancostantino7220]

fsx????!!!

[@calpsy]

Noel your subtitles for the lady with the brolly really made me laugh mate well done.

[@shemdickson7235]

HEY NOEL, WHAT AN INCREDIBLE FLIGHT ON SKYWARD EXPRESS FOKKER 50, AND TO THIS AIRWAY CAPTAIN THRU REGIONAL FLYER, CONGRATS!!

[@simonhutchings6256]

YES !!! What a fantastic take off run on the F50 😀 great vlog Noel 👍

[@noelphilips]

Thanks 👍

[@aoifekiernanl2]

That Adam Ant quip 👌🏻

[@Sobbayi]

You are wondering about starting the engines early well it's because without or before Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) you have to start one of the main engines to get electrical power (without draining the battery) and air conditioning going for passenger comfort. Since the passengers were boarding on the left side, you had to start the right engine first. Once all passengers were on board and the doors were closed, the left engines were started as well.

[@filthywings353]

But they started both engines while boarding though.

[@Sobbayi]

@@filthywings353 Are you sure? I know he says both engines but he could be mistaken. You'd be amazed at what would be sucked into the props if the left engine was started

[@Elias-xy9kc]

Oh! I think the aircraft you flew on is a Fokker F27 fellowship! It’s one of the most if not the most successful turboprop built in Europe! Many of them are being retired! While some are being transferred into freighter’s! Lucky you flown on one in 2020! Stay safe man 😄😅 Greetings from Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦And it’s my pleasure to be one of your subscribers! Huge like from me ☺️🥰👍👍♥️💚❤️ Edit: I just heard you saying a Fokker 50! So I was wrong! Bye 👋😆😆🤦‍♂️

[@nakkadu]

That sunshine at the end is just what I need right now

[@heatherdavies1894]

Flippin heck, that was very close, I held my breath all the way through that take off 🛫🤪😬😲

[@TransistorBased]

That landing was absolutely nuts. I've seen less butter in Paula Deen recipes!

[@RUSLexplorer2020]

Wow! The airplane looks great, cool ! Love to fly in it.

[@tjohnson2139]

That reminds me, In the Bahamas, on their Beechcraft 1900s, the airline “Pineapple air”will leave the right engine on full blast ( I mean full blast) while people are getting on and off the plane. Not entirely sure why they do that but it was uncomfortably loud.

[@matthewravenscroft1999]

Virgin Atlantic is letting people have a dinner on there last ever 747 I think that would be a really good video

[@matthewravenscroft1999]

Sold out in minutes unfortunately

[@DART25]

@@matthewravenscroft1999 very sad that they have to retire them

[@iDirectMovies]

@Noel we have a Fokker 50 operating between Dublin Airport and Donegal, the latter being a spectacular place to land. Worth the trip if haven't already done it.

[@TravelFilming]

Must've been over 20 years since I last flew on a Fokker 50 (with KLM). They sure made use of every inch of the runway for take-off there :). The wheel bearings looked a bit loose to me.

[@dillonk6110]

Great Video. That takeoff was amazing.

[@AndysWorldJourneys]

love the 'curb your enthusiasm'-esque music Noel! That was a hell of a close take off. you had a great seat for showing that off. if you have time to reply - what is that mic that you use?

[@roberthamilton1301]

Cool report Thanks Loved the music 🎶

[@lydiakusimba7266]

Same here

[@77jelani41]

THAT PLANE LITERALLY TOOK OFF AT THE LAST SECOND, THATS CRAZY, THERE IS NO ROOM FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING

[@taicunlife5662]

you mean there is no room for error

[@matthewhigson1232]

Planes can't emergency land during take off

[@77jelani41]

@@matthewhigson1232 i know if u were smart u would know it was a landing

[@benmoore1715]

Aye carumba, what a take off ... gulp! I think NP is the best of the AV KZbinrs, the things he does for his viewers, nice work sir.

[@dionontravel6044]

Would love to fly again soon, Noel! Can't wait anymore!

[@ludwigmesser5339]

I fell in love with a Kenyan lady at a SPAR Europa department store while we visited relatives in that region. I spoke with her about the famous coffee that is transported from the Kenyan harbor of Mombassa. She spoke better German than I did, I'm very proud to say. Also she and I like the songs sung by the late Mr. Peter Alexander Thank You, Cheers.

[@richardrawdingphotography776]

Great video as usual!

[@joeebloggs6356]

Super video Noel. Skilful pilots on that flight.

[@jakubb2132]

The umbrella is such a nice idea, anywhere else they don't care if you get wet, and how cool is that somebody recognised you !

[@Conductoroli]

The translation was a joke. You actually believed it ☺️

[@AndrewTubbiolo]

Noel is a pilot. Noel knows the aircraft is being operated beyond its capabilities for the airport and weather. Noel knows there was a recent crash for operating under similar conditions. Noel boards the aircraft anyway. Avoids runway overrun by only 2.5 seconds.

[@Rusco17]

Love the Adam Ant reference 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@belugast]

I did not get the Adam Ant joke? Nice old Fk50, great video, brings back some memories.😊

[@aslobos]

So hilarious. Love your witty and honest commentary. You and Josh Cahill should totally do a collab. 🙏✈✈🚀

[@gtcaledonia2886]

Adam Ant stand and deliver 😂👌

[@diegosuarez4451]

spectacular landing!!

[@marcuswong3202]

lol! the take off!!! lucky no mountains or trees at the end... or that will be your end! and also the wheel bearing...wheels a bit wobbly!

[@jbabajews2311]

Brilliant video Noel lad

[@goodfes]

Reminds me of VLM flights I used to take between Manchester and London City 15 years ago. FlyVLM !

[@wheely90]

i love you looked into the airline after you flew with them haha

[@bborach]

Brings back memories of flying around Ethiopia on a Fokker, great little plane. Now I believe Ethiopian operates the Dash 8 and 6 on its domestic routes. However the runways in Addis Ababa are much longer

[@MR-dj2vz]

Good to see you Noel

[@andresboza8285]

5:18 Ninja warrior provides security instructions. 😂

[@bwc1976]

Ha, I loved the "mind your head" sign! Have you done videos on any jet Fokkers, the 28, 70, or 100? I found this while looking for the F28.

[@vangestelwijnen]

Fokker 50... Underrated aircraft. Very well build.

[@crestavid]

OMG what was that, not more than 5 feet of runway left I reckon before the wheels left the ground, gotta love those crazy African pilots :)