In the fascinating Argentine civil aircraft registers, block “Alfa Yankee” outstands due to a number of distinctive features. First and foremost, because it was full of allocations to aircraft built or assembled locally in Argentina, as 56% of all aircraft registered with LV-AY identities came from local manufacturers, San Juan-based Chincul or Córdoba-based Aero Boero. Secondly, as we’ve already documented in the LV-AXA/AXZ series, because several of these registrations were (strangely) used twice. Initially, they were allocated to Chincul to register 10 Pawnee crop-sprayers which were rapidly exported to Brazil in the second half of the 1980s. Fifteen years later, they were used to enter a variety of second-hand aircraft coming from the United States, Chile or France. Lastly, the block appears to have been allocated in two tidy and systematic passes: The first one run the block almost completely between 1987 and 2001, the second one reviving it between 2003 and 2005. All else said, only three registrations remain unused (or at least
undocumented) to date: AYK, AYQ y AYU.
Argentine commercial air transport secured only a few scarce slots in this block. In the first pass, registration LV-AYL was allocated to a CASA Aviocar operated between 1987 and 1990 by LAS/Líneas Aéreas Santafesinas (Santa Fé Airlines), a carrier formed within the Santa Fe Province General Aviation Services Directorate. After being re-activated in the 21st Century, two registrations in the block witnessed the arrival of a new Boeing 737 generation into Aerolíneas Argentinas, when the first two Series 500 units were registered in 2004 (LV-AYE and LV-AYI). The last airliner registration in the block was allocated to the fourth MD-83 in Austral Líneas Aéreas’ history (the second aircraft acquired under the Marsans administration and last to adopt their ultimate livery) in the second half of 2004.
Two more general aviation registration are also worthy of mention. For national industry enthusiasts, Aero Boero 115 LV-AYX stands out as one of the two aircraft displayed by their manufacturer at the XXXVIII Salon de Le Bourget in June 1989 (the aircraft now flies with the Intendente Alvear Flying Club in La Pampa). The only documented tragic note, in turn, goes to registration LV-AYB. Allocated to an Extra 300 imported from Chile by aerobatic pilot, Julio Benvenuto, both pilot and machine were lost when the aircraft plunged into the ground while on an aerobatic exhibition at the Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-In held in March 2007 in General Rodríguez (Buenos Aires). The remainder of the registrations in the block was used by a couple multi-engine executive transports and several other crop sprayers imported at after the turn of the century.
| LV-AYA | ||
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer, type and model | Chincul/Piper PA-A-25-235 Pawnee | |
| Serial number (c/n) | ||
| Last known owner or operator | Chincul S.A.C.A.I.F.I. | |
| Registered | 1987? | |
| Fate | Exported to Brazil in 1987? | |
| Remarks | ||
| LV-AYA #2 | ||
| Manufacturer, type and model | Cessna A188B Agwagon C | |
| Serial number (c/n) | 18802697 | |
| Last known owner or operator | Aaxod S.A. | |
| Registered | Oct 2004 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | ||
| LV-AYB | ||
| Manufacturer, type and model | Chincul/Piper PA-A-25-235 Pawnee | |
| Serial number (c/n) | ||
| Last known owner or operator | Chincul S.A.C.A.I.F.I. | |
| Registered | 1987? | |
| Fate | Exported to Brazil in 1987? | |
| Remarks | ||
| LV-AYB #2 | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | Extra 300 |
| Serial number (c/n) | 040 | |
| Last known owner or operator | J. C. Benvenuto | |
| Registered | May 2005 | |
| Fate | w/o General Rodríguez (Buenos Aires) Mar 2007 | |
| Remarks | Photo: Nestor Felia | |
| LV-AYC | ||
| Manufacturer, type and model | Chincul/Piper PA-A-25-235 Pawnee | |
| Serial number (c/n) | ||
| Last known owner or operator | Chincul S.A.C.A.I.F.I. | |
| Registered | 1987? | |
| Fate | Exported to Brazil in 1987? | |
| Remarks | ||
| LV-AYC #2 | ||
| Manufacturer, type and model | Cessna 150G | |
| Serial number (c/n) | 15065655 | |
| Last known owner or operator | Aeroclub Henderson (Santa Fé) | |
| Registered | Mar 2003 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | ||
| LV-AYD | ||
| Manufacturer, type and model | Chincul/Piper PA-A-25-235 Pawnee | |
| Serial number (c/n) | ||
| Last known owner or operator | Chincul S.A.C.A.I.F.I. | |
| Registered | 1987? | |
| Fate | Exported to Brazil in 1987? | |
| Remarks | ||
| LV-AYD #2 | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | Mc Donnell Douglas MD-83 |
| Serial number (c/n) | 53015 (line number 1818) | |
| Last known owner or operator | Andes Lineas Aereas | |
| Registered | Oct 2004 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | Photo: Leonel Depalma | |
| LV-AYE | ||
| Manufacturer, type and model | Chincul/Piper PA-A-25-235 Pawnee | |
| Serial number (c/n) | ||
| Last known owner or operator | Chincul S.A.C.A.I.F.I. | |
| Registered | 1987? | |
| Fate | Exported to Brazil in 1987? | |
| Remarks | ||
| LV-AYE #2 | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | Boeing 737-5H8 |
| Serial number (c/n) | 26456 (line number 2527) | |
| Last known owner or operator | Aerolineas Argentinas | |
| Registered | Oct 2004 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | Photo: Rafael Reca – Baires Aviation Photography | |
| LV-AYF | ||
| Manufacturer, type and model | Chincul/Piper PA-A-25-235 Pawnee | |
| Serial number (c/n) | ||
| Last known owner or operator | Chincul S.A.C.A.I.F.I. | |
| Registered | 1987? | |
| Fate | Exported to Brazil in 1987? | |
| Remarks | ||
| LV-AYF #2 | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | Air Tractor AT-502B |
| Serial number (c/n) | 502B-0699 | |
| Last known owner or operator | P. Ronconi | |
| Registered | Oct 2004 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | Photo: Marcelo W. Miranda | |
| LV-AYG | ||
| Manufacturer, type and model | Chincul/Piper PA-A-25-235 Pawnee | |
| Serial number (c/n) | ||
| Last known owner or operator | Chincul S.A.C.A.I.F.I. | |
| Registered | 1987? | |
| Fate | Exported to Brazil in 1987? | |
| Remarks | ||
| LV-AYG #2 | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | Beechcraft King Air E90 |
| Serial number (c/n) | LW-135 | |
| Last known owner or operator | Aerorutas S.A. Transportes Aéreos | |
| Registered | Nov 2004 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | Photo: DAD – Baires Aviation Photography | |
| LV-AYH | ||
| Manufacturer, type and model | Chincul/Piper PA-A-25-235 Pawnee | |
| Serial number (c/n) | ||
| Last known owner or operator | Chincul S.A.C.A.I.F.I. | |
| Registered | 1987? | |
| Fate | Exported to Brazil in 1987? | |
| Remarks | ||
| LV-AYH #2 | ||
| Manufacturer, type and model | Piper PA-36-285 Pawnee Brave | |
| Serial number (c/n) | 28-7560087 | |
| Last known owner or operator | O. P. Martínez | |
| Registered | Dec 2004 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | ||
| LV-AYI | ||
| Manufacturer, type and model | Chincul/Piper PA-A-25-235 Pawnee | |
| Serial number (c/n) | ||
| Last known owner or operator | Chincul S.A.C.A.I.F.I. | |
| Registered | 1987? | |
| Fate | Exported to Brazil in 1987? | |
| Remarks | ||
| LV-AYI #2 | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | Boeing 737-528 |
| Serial number (c/n) | 25324 (line number 2411) | |
| Last known owner or operator | Aerolineas Argentinas | |
| Registered | Dec 2004 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | Photo: DAD – Baires Aviation Photography | |
| LV-AYJ | ||
| Manufacturer, type and model | Chincul/Piper PA-A-25-235 Pawnee | |
| Serial number (c/n) | ||
| Last known owner or operator | Chincul S.A.C.A.I.F.I. | |
| Registered | 1987? | |
| Fate | Exported to Brazil in 1987? | |
| Remarks | ||
| LV-AYJ #2 | ||
| Manufacturer, type and model | Air Tractor AT-502B | |
| Serial number (c/n) | 502B-0705 | |
| Last known owner or operator | C. H. Moschen | |
| Registered | Dec 2004 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | ||
| LV-AYL | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | CASA 212 Aviocar |
| Serial number (c/n) | 212-CC-60-261 | |
| Last known owner or operator | Direccion General de Servicios Aéreos de la Provincia de Santa Fé | |
| Registered | Jun 1987 | |
| Fate | Exported to Spain Aug 1990 as EC-FAQ | |
| Remarks | Photo: Pablo F. Cepero | |
| LV-AYM | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | Chincul/Piper PA-A-28-161 Warrior II |
| Serial number (c/n) | AR28-16020 | |
| Last known owner or operator | Aeroclub Junín (Buenos Aires) | |
| Registered | Oct 1987 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | Photo: Marcelo W. Miranda | |
| LV-AYN | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | Chincul/Piper PA-A-28-161 Warrior II |
| Serial number (c/n) | AR28-816021/AR-0677 | |
| Last known owner or operator | Aeroclub Argentino (San Justo, Buenos Aires) | |
| Registered | Jan 1988 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | Photo: DAD – Baires Aviation Photography | |
| LV-AYO | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | Chincul/Piper PA-A-28-161 Warrior II |
| Serial number (c/n) | AR28-816022 | |
| Last known owner or operator | Aeroclub Puerto Madryn (Chubut) | |
| Registered | Apr 1988 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | Photo: DAD – Baires Aviation Photography | |
| LV-AYP | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | Chincul/Piper PA-A-28-181 Archer II |
| Serial number (c/n) | AR28-890035 | |
| Last known owner or operator | Aeroclub Bragado (Buenos Aires) | |
| Registered | Sep 1987 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | Photo: Andrés Luna | |
| LV-AYR | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | Chincul/Piper PA-A-28RT-201 Arrow IV |
| Serial number (c/n) | AR28RT-8218016 | |
| Last known owner or operator | J. L. Antunez | |
| Registered | Jan 1999 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | Photo: Joe Evans | |
| LV-AYS | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | Chincul/Piper PA-A-28-181 Archer II |
| Serial number (c/n) | AR28-90036 | |
| Last known owner or operator | Aeroclub Suboficial Mayor Dalale (San Justo, Buenos Aires) | |
| Registered | Sep 1987 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | Photo: Martín Kupat | |
| LV-AYT | ||
| Manufacturer, type and model | Cessna 210B | |
| Serial number (c/n) | 21057846 | |
| Last known owner or operator | Aeroclub Verónica (Buenos Aires) | |
| Registered | Sep 1987 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | ||
| LV-AYV | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | Aero Boero 115 |
| Serial number (c/n) | 072 | |
| Last known owner or operator | Aeroclub Bahía Blanca (Buenos Aires) | |
| Registered | Nov 2001 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | Photo: Marcelo W. Miranda | |
| LV-AYW | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | Aero Boero 115 |
| Serial number (c/n) | 073 | |
| Last known owner or operator | Aeroclub Nogoyá (Corrientes) | |
| Registered | Mar 1989 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | Photo: Marcelo W. Miranda | |
| LV-AYX | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | Aero Boero 115 |
| Serial number (c/n) | 074 | |
| Last known owner or operator | Aeroclub Intendente Alvear (La Pampa) | |
| Registered | Jul 1992 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | Photo: Ken Videan | |
| LV-AYY | ||
| Manufacturer, type and model | Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee | |
| Serial number (c/n) | 25-2371 | |
| Last known owner or operator | D. M. Cardama | |
| Registered | Dec 2004 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | ||
| LV-AYZ | ||
 |
Manufacturer, type and model | Beechcraft Baron 58 |
| Serial number (c/n) | TH-1634 | |
| Last known owner or operator | O. Jaratz | |
| Registered | Sep 1991 | |
| Fate | ||
| Remarks | Photo: DAD – Baires Aviation Photography |
Sources:
- M. Magnusson & G. Pavlovcic: Complete Civil Aircraft Argentine Register 1938-2011 (Volume 1, Ediciones Argentinidad, Argentina, 2012).
- Paris Air Show by Zijde Aviation and Publishing.
- R. W. Simpson: Airlife’s General Aviation (Airlife Publishing, England, 1995)
Acknowledgments:
The original version of this story was first published on 13 April 2009 in Pista 18 (the web site). Illustrations for the updated version were researched or edited by Baires Aviation Photography editors.
