Final Passenger Carrying Flight - Dakota G-AMPY

On July 15th 2008 the final passenger carrying flight by the renown Dakota took place at Coventry Airport, courtesy of Air Atlantique, the largest fleet operator of the Dakota. Passengers can no longer be carried as a result of new EU wide regulations affecting passenger carrying aircraft of over 13 seats. Adapting and altering each Dakota to comply with the regulations would cost in the region of £500,000. For 3 months the Dakota's visited all parts of the UK operating farewell pleasure flights - during that time they carried approximately 9500 passengers!

Your webmaster was delighted and very surprised when he received an early birthday present. Unknown to him plans had been made to fly on the very last flight and what's more he was the last passenger to board the last flight! The surprise was only sprung on him 30 mins before the take off at 7.30pm on a rare, glorious evening. Conditions could not have been better.

At around 6.30pm Air Atlantique had arranged for their beautifully restored DC6, newly painted in British Eagle colours, to fly in from the Farnborough Air Show where it been on display. As a bonus it took off and flew with the Dakota on its final trip. The flight, lasting about 30 mins, saw the Dak, G-AMPY, take off and fly out to the former airfield at Bruntingthorpe in Northamptonshire. After turning the DC6 came up alongside and the two veterans flew back to Coventry making a low pass along the runway and then a circuit of Coventry. The DC6 pealed off and headed back to Farnborough and the Dakota landed. All passengers were treated to a glass of champagne on the ground, followed by a splendid buffet inside the hangar, surrounded by vintage aircraft, while a band played and the head of Air Atlantique made a moving speech praising the years of service they had received from this trusty workhorse.

© P.Riley

Dakota G-AMPY on the apron at Coventry

Close up of one of the Pratt & Whitney engines

The DC6 arrives from Farnborough

DC6 coming in by the Dakota

The Dakota takes off on the penultimate flight

Back on the apron before the final flight

Last passengers boarding the last flight

Talk before take off from a WWII Dakota pilot who towed gliders to Germany

Original parachute harness cable along roof

Over Northants the DC6 joined up and flew alongside

Quite close at times!

Back on the ground at Coventry

Photo opportunities on the apron

Photo opportunities on the apron

Photo opportunities on the apron

Photo opportunities on the apron

Buffet and music in the hangar rounded off the evening