Former Manx Airlines staff are planning to save an Advanced Turbo Prop (ATP) aircraft.

They are calling for donations towards a £10k target towards a plan to rescue the ATP and put it on permanent display at Ronaldsway Aviation and Military Museum.

It’s hoped the restored ATP will serve as a visual reminder of the airline, fondly known for its hot breakfasts and Manx tea, which closed in 2002.

The ATP was once the mainstay of the Manx Airlines fleet, which was the largest passenger operator of these aircraft with 16 of the 68-seat planes being in service in the 1990s.

The aircraft are now used for cargo operations, with West Atlantic airline owning the largest fleet. A number are maintained at Ronaldsway by former Manx Airlines engineering staff.

However, it is unlikely that ATPs will continue to fly in a few years’ time due to larger aircraft gradually replacing them.

The abandoned ATP, currently wasting away at Ronaldsway Airport, has been ’cannibalised’ for spare parts ahead of being sent to the scrapheap.

Manx Airlines’ former chief executive, Terry Liddiard, came up with the idea to restore the aircraft before giving it to the Manx Aviation and Military Museum at Ronaldsway on a permanent loan.

The matter was discussed with the chief executive of West Atlantic, who later donated the aircraft to the former Manx Airline team, who have responded enthusiastically towards the project.

Terry said: ’It was exactly 35 years ago, November 1982, that Manx Airlines commenced operations.

’And it’s a fitting time to launch a permanent tribute to an aircraft which contributed more than any other to the airline, and to all our staff who flew it, flew in it, maintained it, and provided all the back-up, commercially, administratively, or operationally, as well as to the airline itself.

’If everyone who ever worked for the company were to contribute just a few pounds, or whatever they can afford, to the project fund, we can do it.

’The good news is that every donation, whatever size, will be matched pound for pound by a generous supporter, to get us off to a flying start,’ he explained.

Volunteers are also being sought to bring the aircraft back to its former glory, who will be co-ordinated by Chris Astley, the head of the West Atlantic engineering team on the island.

Since an engineering college is soon to be set up at the airport, it is thought that the project will provide a great ’hands-on’ training experience for students hoping to enter this line of work.

To find out more, visit the ’Save the ATP’ Facebook page or to donate towards the scheme, search: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/savetheatp