Zantop

[wmudriver]

I know Zantop finally went TU last year, what happened to their L-188's? Didn't they have 3 or 4 flying? Any word from the YIP guys what will happen to their little boneyard/rust pile on the west side of the field?

What was the story behind their breakup in the 90's?

 

[Workin'Stiff]

I thought I remember YIP saying that some, if not all, of the L-188's were sold to some dude up in Alaska...

 

[wmudriver]

Ah, they had a few working L-188s and it looked like they used their boneyard for parts maybe? There were a couple of DC-8s, maybe a DC-6 rotting away too. Who uses the Zantop hangar in MSP?

 

[pilotyip]

Zantop had a contract with the Teamsters it went into effect 3-18-96, on 3-18-97 we were suppose to get our first increase under the contract. On 1-16-97, they announced they were going out of business on 3-17-97. They could not sell the airplane so they elected to go back into business, and got a new contract with the Teamsters they gave them 6 days off per month and an L-188 Captain making less than a USA Jet DA-20 Captain. Then in 2005 they pulled the plug completely.

 

[WMUSIGPI]

I never saw anything come or go from the MSP hangar. Unfortunately I no longer get the chance to either. But you probably already knew that.

 

[pilotyip]

The guy who owns the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant chain, Talichey (sp.?) has reportedly purchased the Zantop certificate and assets. He has three L-188's parked outside of hangar two at YIP. They have done A-501 run-ups on the airplanes with props and have rented hangar space to do C checks. So it look like the L-188's may come back to life. Plans are rumored the L-188's will be moved to Africa, South American and Alaska where the 121 standards do not apply for TCAS and EGPWAS

 

[WillowRunVortex]

The guy who owns the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant chain, Talichey (sp.?) has reportedly purchased the Zantop certificate and assets. He has three L-188's parked outside of hangar two at YIP. They have done A-501 run-ups on the airplanes with props and have rented hangar space to do C checks. So it look like the L-188's may come back to life. Plans are rumored the L-188's will be moved to Africa, South American and Alaska where the 121 standards do not apply for TCAS and EGPWAS

Pilotyip, you finally got an avatar!

B24's at Willow...cool.

 

[Lear Wanna Be]

Hey YIP guys,

What company was it that had Electras out of YIP and used the callsign (TMM) "Willow Run". That callsign came back to Traffic Management Corporation or something like that. Are they still around? Was it just another Zantop company? Just curious.

 

[600rvr]

I believe that TMC was the predecessor to what is the DC-8 side of Murray Air. Not sure of the exact history though. It was called Traffic mgmt corp, and is no longer.

 

[pilotyip]

TMC was a 125 little brother of Zantop

 

[wmudriver]

The understanding I have was that the Zipper pilots wanted to unionize or actually did then the Zantops said "screw it" and dissolved it. Is that accurate?

 

[Clyde]

The understanding I have was that the Zipper pilots wanted to unionize or actually did then the Zantops said "screw it" and dissolved it. Is that accurate?

I heard two versions, that being one of them. The other story I heard was simply that the Zantop kids didn't want anything to do with the company. Either way, it's a shame. Zantop being only history to KYIP is like Ford only being history to Dearborn.

 

[pilotyip]

Electra's to rise again?

Strange sightings at YIP, there are now 7 L-188's in front of the old Zantop Hanger, however there are only props for 1.5 airplanes on the seven Electras.

 

[WMUSIGPI]

So are they shipping those things in on a truck or swapping the props around?

 

[bocefus]

Word is; Turboprop Ventures Inc. is who now owns the assets. 13 Electras.
At least 6 will be sold or leased, what becomes of the rest is unclear.

 

[Geronimo4497]

Where do I sign up? I want to fly an Electra so bloody bad! How much time did you get in them YIP?

 

[pilotyip]

4200 hrs

 

[Junkflyer]

I heard they were flying them out to California. Not enough engines so they truck them back and put them on another one and fly it out etc.

 

[belchfire]

I heard they were flying them out to California. Not enough engines so they truck them back and put them on another one and fly it out etc.

Given the spottings on the ramp and the way they get towed
around that makes as much sence as anything else. I hope
that those ol gals aren't being flown out west to get chopped
up!