Found FBA-2C

  • A Canadian four- to five-seater monoplane produced by Found Brothers Aviation Limited at Malton Airport, Toronto, Ontario from 1962 to 1965
  • Designed as a bush plane, it operated on floats, wheels and skis
  • First prototype was built in July 1960; financial difficulties delayed progress until John David Eaton president of T. Eaton Company Ltd. financed the company
  • FBA-2Cs were used by some Canadian operators; Georgian Bay Airways of Parry Sound, Ontario was the largest
  • It was smaller and more economical than the average bush planes of the time
  • Production of a modernized version of the FBA-2C began in 1997
  • As of 2011, Expedition Aircraft of Parry Sound, Ontario, continues to produce improved versions
Period
1960-1969
Uses
Bush Flying
First Flight
August 11, 1960 (FBA-2A)
Display Status
In Storage Wing.

Background History

The Canadian-designed-and-built Found aircraft was developed to meet a projected demand for smaller-sized bush or utility aircraft. Two production versions were planned: the 2B with a tricycle undercarriage , and the 2C with a tail wheel. Found did not continue production of the 2B. Twenty-six 2Cs went into service with various uses and met with a mixed reception. In 1986, ten Founds were still listed in the Canadian Civil Aircraft Registry.

The Museum specimen is the aircraft used to complete final certification tests. The Found FBA-2C operated successfully on floats, wheels, and skis.

Museum Example

Registration #
CF-OZV
Manufacturer
Found Brothers Aviation Ltd., Canada
Manufacture Date
1963
Construction #
4
Acquisition Date
1979
Provenance
Donation from Centennial College
Museum Catalogue #
1979.0946.001

This CF-5 (officially designated CF-116) was manufactured by Canadair Limited of Montreal, Quebec in August 1970. Delivered to the Canadian Armed Forces in December of that year, it was put in storage until 1979.

Over the course of its active career, the aircraft was based at several locations across Canada, including Trenton, Ontario; Chatham, New Brunswick; and most frequently at Cold Lake, Alberta. It was put in storage in 1995.

The CF-5 was transferred to the Museum by the Canadian Forces in 1997. It retains its Warsaw Pact "aggressor" markings from its last training exercises.

Technical Specifications

 

Wing Span 11 m (36 ft)
Length 8.1 m (26 ft 5 in)
Height 2.5 m (8 ft 4 in)
Weight, Empty 703 kg (1,550 lb)
Weight, Gross 1,338 kg (2,950 lb)
Cruising Speed 208 km/h (129 mph)
Max Speed 237 km/h (147 mph)
Rate of Climb 335 m (1,100 ft) /min
Service Ceiling 4,880 m (16,000 ft)
Range 500 km (310 mi)
Power Plant one Lycoming 0-540-B, 290 hp, horizontally opposed engine