L-188 Electra

America's Only Turboprop Airliner

Air Mobility Support Home

The L-188 Electra represents a tremendous leap in technology over the piston-powered airliners of the 1950's. Turboprop power pushed the Electra at speeds 100 MPH faster than the existing commercial aircraft. Up to 99 passengers could enjoy the benefit of shorter flight times, excellent cabin climate control, and reduced noise levels thanks to the smooth power of the Allison 501-D13 engines and synchrophased propellers.

Lockheed developed the Electra in response to requirements from both American and Eastern Air Lines for a four-engine, short and medium route aircraft. American Airlines formally launched the program with the first order for 40 aircraft on June 8, 1955. The prototype first flew December 6, 1957 with Lockheed test pilot Herman "Fish" Salmon at the controls. After extensive flight testing, the Electra entered revenue service January 12, 1959 on Eastern's New York-Miami route.

Besides American and Eastern, other US carriers which ordered the Electra were Braniff, National Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Pacific Southwest Airlines and Western Airlines. Overseas operators also flew new Electras including Cathay Pacific, Trans Australian Airlines, Ansett-ANA, Tasman Empire Air Lines in New Zealand, Garuda Indonesian and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Second-tier operators continued the success experienced by the original carriers. One of the most success full was VARIG, using the Electra as an air bridge linking Rio de Janeiro's downtown Santos Dumont Airport, where jet operations were banned, with Sao Paulo-Congonhas. The last Electra passenger service ended in 2000 when Reeve Aleutian ended operations in Alaska.

As jet transports became more efficient, modification to cargo duty gave the Electra a second career. Several companies, including Lockheed Aircraft Services-Ontario, modified the airplane by adding one or two cargo doors and strengthening the floor. The roomy fuselage can handle 8 standard pallets plus one half-size. Several operators in Europe continue to fly cargo with the Electra where its Stage III noise compliance allows operation into airports where jets are prohibited at night.

Throughout its career, the Electra has performed some remarkable duties beyond carrying passenger or cargo. One was used by the US Navy to track re-entry capsules from spy satellites. Two were used to track icebergs in the North Atlantic. Today, several carry on as aerial fire fighters in Canada, dropping several thousand gallons of retardant on each sortie and having quicker response times than piston-powered counterparts.

The L-188 Electra Type Certificates and Supplemental Type Certificates are maintained by the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Airworthiness Office in Marietta, Georgia. 

Publications

The following is the list of publications available from Lockheed Martin, including current revision status.  Additional information has been published for many of the manuals by means of Service Information Letters (SIL).  The SILs provide additional information after the last revision was accomplished.  The SIL column lists the most recent SIL affecting that particular document.

Lockheed Martin Technical Support Center - Marietta
The Technical Support Center can provide L-188 Electra support.  Send questions to electra.support@lmco.com or call (770) 494-9131.

Lockheed Martin Authorized Spares Distributor

Kirkhill Aircraft Parts Company (KAPCO) is the exclusive Lockheed Martin licensed spares supplier for the L-188 Electra. 
KAPCO holds PMA on most parts for the Electra.
KAPCO 3101 East Enterprise, Brea, CA 92621
Telephone: (714) 524-5520, Fax: (714) 996-3490

Internet Web Site: www.kapcousa.com

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