VFW-Fokker 614 Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids VFW-Fokker 614

Luftwaffe's VFW-Fokker 614.
Role	Airliner
National origin	West Germany.
Manufacturer	VFW-Fokker
First flight	1971
Introduction	1975
Status	Out of order
Primary user	Touraine Air Transport
Produced	Out of production

The VFW-Fokker 614 was a special airliner made in West Germany. It was a jet plane with two engines. What made it unique was that its two jet engines were placed right on top of its wings! This plane could carry between 40 and 44 passengers.

Airlines in Denmark, France, and Germany used the VFW-Fokker 614. It flew for them until 2007. The German Air Force, also known as the Luftwaffe, also used this aircraft. They used it for quick trips and to transport important people.

A Special Design: Engines on Top
- Why Engines on Top?
- Challenges of the Design
Who Flew the VFW-Fokker 614?
The VFW 614 as a Test Aircraft
- ATTAS: A Flying Lab
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A Special Design: Engines on Top

The VFW-Fokker 614 stood out because of its unusual engine placement. Most jet planes have their engines under the wings or on the back of the body. But the 614 had its two turbojet engines mounted high up, on pylons above the wings.

Why Engines on Top?

Engineers had a few reasons for this design choice. One idea was to make the plane quieter for people on the ground. By having the engines higher up, the noise might spread differently. Another reason was to help the plane land and take off from smaller airports. Placing the engines high up meant they were less likely to suck in dirt or small objects from the runway. This was especially helpful on less prepared airfields.

Challenges of the Design

While the high-mounted engines had benefits, they also created some challenges. It made the plane's structure more complex. Also, maintaining the engines could be harder because they were not as easy to reach. Despite these challenges, the VFW-Fokker 614 remains a fascinating example of aircraft design.

Who Flew the VFW-Fokker 614?

The VFW-Fokker 614 was mainly used by smaller airlines in Europe. It was designed for short flights between cities.

Touraine Air Transport (TAT) from France was a major user.
Cimber Air in Denmark also flew these planes.
Some German airlines used them too.

The German Air Force found the VFW-Fokker 614 useful for quick transport duties. They used it to move people and important items fast.

The VFW 614 as a Test Aircraft

Even after it stopped being used by airlines, some VFW-Fokker 614 planes found a new life. They were used for scientific research and testing.

ATTAS: A Flying Lab

One VFW-Fokker 614 was turned into a special research plane called the ATTAS. This plane was like a flying laboratory. Scientists used it to study how air flows around wings and how planes behave in different conditions. For example, it helped visualize wingtip vortices, which are swirling air patterns that come off the ends of wings. This research helped engineers design better and safer planes for the future.