JU-AIR is revising its three historic JU-52s so that, from a technical point of view, they can once again be put into service like new aircraft. Numerous parts are being replaced as a precautionary measure and have to be remanufactured for this purpose. JU-AIR's flight operations will therefore be suspended until spring 2021. Vouchers that have already been issued for flights remain valid.
The three historic JU-52s from JU-AIR are undergoing a complete major overhaul. All systems and individual parts of the aircraft are tested and audited in such a way that they can be certified as safe for a specific, renewed operating period. The aircraft are then considered to be as good as new from a technical point of view.
Numerous load-bearing parts on wings, fuselage, chassis, tailplanes and control surfaces as well as parts of the engines and fuel systems are replaced by new parts as a precautionary measure.
Since new parts for the historic JU-52 are no longer available, they must be manufactured anew by certified suppliers in complex one-off production. As a result, the total overhaul of an aircraft is expected to take more than 20 months.
JU-AIR's JU-52s will therefore only be able to take off again in spring 2021. Until now, JU-AIR had intended to start the total overhaul of one of its aircraft only in autumn 2019 in order to be able to operate it again next summer.
JU-AIR is now refraining from this project, as the additional costs for a provisional restart would have become too great. These funds are now being invested in the audit.
Investing in the future
The total overhaul of the aircraft is currently being planned in detail by JU-AIR engineers together with external experts and companies. The program is then submitted to the Federal Office of Civil Aviation for review and implemented in accordance with its guidelines. Details of the total revision cannot yet be announced. JU-AIR will once again provide information about this.
“We are investing in the safety and future of JU-AIR. The total overhaul makes our aircraft fit for renewed, long-term operation. It will also help to dispel any doubts about the safety of the JU-52,” says CEO Kurt Waldmeier.
“Of course, we regret that our numerous fans won't see a JU-52 in the sky for two summers. Vouchers for sightseeing flights are automatically extended and thus remain valid.”
Support from the association and the population
JU-AIR is part of the Friends of the Swiss Air Force Association (VFL), which has around 7,000 members. It has a fleet of three historic JU-52s: HB-HOP and HB-HOS based in Dübendorf are both 80 years old. They were delivered to the Swiss Air Force in 1939 and were in flight operation until last November. The HB-HOY is a CASA licensed building from 1949. It was in the JU-AIR fleet until 2016 and has been exhibited in Mönchengladbach ever since.
“JU-AIR has made financial provisions for extraordinary situations for more than 30 years. The association and its members, but also many private individuals, are now supporting us both ideologically and financially,” says Kurt Waldmeier. “Without this support, investments on this scale would not be possible. A big thank you to all of our supporters!”
It is still unclear what caused a JU-52 to crash near Flims on August 4, 2018. However, the investigation into the tragic accident did not reveal any evidence that a technical cause had contributed to the crash. The total overhauls that have now begun are not related to the accident.
Contact JU-AIR
- Christian Gartmann, Communications Officer
- +41 79 355 78 78
- christian@gartmann.biz
Christian Gartmann supports JU-AIR in crisis management and crisis communication following the JU-52 accident in summer 2018 and serves as spokesperson for JU-AIR.