The Junkers F-13 aircraft initiated a new era in Brazilian commercial aviation, ending seaplanes and starting single engine land aircraft. The regular air service with Junkers F-13 started on April 1932, when commercial aviation was really a pioneering activity in Brazil. The PP-VAF was called “Livramento” and PP-VAG “Santa Cruz”, an homage to two cities where they operated for a long time.
At that time there was no onboard service and bathroom in the aircraft. The Junkers could land both on grass and on land, at that time the airfields were simply demarcated areas. The flights were marked by turbulence, as the aircraft flew low, and engines loud noise. Seat belts were used for the first time. The flight was all visual, following references on the ground, where the names of cities written on the roofs of railway stations helped a lot. When weather conditions prevented the navigation by pilot's vision, the flight was almost blindly: pilots were guided by a compass and a pocket watch.
Junkers F-13 were purchased thanks to Rio Grande do Sul state government help, which also helped VARIG to acquire Junkers A50.