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LUFTWAFFE DECOMMISSIONS VFW-614

by Karl Schwarz

There was definitely an air of melancholy, when, on a rainy apron at Cologne/Wahn on 30 September, the VWF-614 registered ì17+03î finally came to rest after its last service flight for the German Air Force. For 21 years, three of the short- and medium-range jets made in Germany had been an important part of the VIP fleet. There had been 39,000 take-off's and touch downs, 31,500 flight hours and a distance of 25 million km flown.

However, the farewell was overdue. Because of the high running costs the plane is not really contemporary any more. During the ceremony Secretary of State Dr. Peter Wichert remarked, "By decommissioning the VFW-614 we are on our way to gain a capable and economic fleet concept. For long distances the standardisation on the Airbus A310 will enable us to operate more efficiently. We can also concentrate one hundred per cent on the Challenger for medium distances. Shortly powerful helicopters (Eurocopter Cougar) will be available for short distances. Although there will be fewer aircraft, the efficiency of the VIP flights will stay at a high level".

Not everyone will agree with this. The flight hour quota of the seven Canadair CL 610 Challenger's will be increased. However, after the Hardthöhe had conferred with the Defence Committee of the German Parliament, it was made known in the spring that the significant reduction of aircraft for coverage of medium and short distances would markedly impair the flexibility required to meet arising needs. It would only allow the carrying out of high priority demands in the political/parliamentary sector. The Ministry of Defence pointed out a wile ago that, ìan increased use of civilian transport would be absolutely necessary for this purposeî.

As far as the VWF 614 is concerned, these aircraft will stay in Wahn for the time being and, only the most necessary maintenance work is being carried out. Meanwhile the Vebeg is trying to find a buyer. Of the 16 planes that were built in serial production in the 70s only two remain in service for research purposes: one flies for the DLR in Braunschweig and one for the Dasa in Bremen.

From page 54 of FLUG REVUE 1/99