PAC CT/4E Airtrainer Snapped Up By Thais

News Release May 14, 2004

Pacific Aerospace Corporation's CT/4 Aircraft Irresistible To The Royal Thai Air Force

Yet another Pacific Aerospace Corporation CT/4 aircraft left Hamilton for Thailand today - the first of eight CT/4E Airtrainers scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Thai Air Force this year.

The 2004 deliveries will bring to 52 the number of CT/4 aircraft the Royal Thai Air Force has purchased from Pacific Aerospace Corporation, making it the company's largest single customer for this type of plane.

With its reputation for being the world's best aircraft for flight screening, pilot training and aerobatics, the CT/4 has found favour with other air forces around the world including the RAAF. Closer to home, the RNZAF's own Red Checkers use them exclusively.

Other buyers, past and present, include the Royal Australian Air Force, British Aerospace, Singapore Youth Flying Club and private customers.

As a symbol of the importance of the Royal Thai Air Force to Pacific Aerospace Corporation, the company's technical director and test pilot, John McWilliam, leaves on Sunday to officiate at an official handover ceremony in Bangkok.

Commenting on the Royal Thai Air Force's preference for the CT/4E Airtrainer, Pacific Aerospace Corporation's managing director, Brian Hare, explains they like the plane's performance, cost and operability.

"The Airtrainer is rugged and very versatile," he says. "It allows for side-by-side, real-time training so it's good for pilot screening right through to advanced training, even aerobatics."

Hare says his company's arrangement with the Royal Thai Air Force includes ongoing support contracts for the provision of parts and maintenance. It's an arrangement that has been in place since 1973 when this valued customer placed its first order.

This week's flight to Bangkok will see the CT/4E fly via Brisbane, Darwin and Bali - a flight of 42 hours flying time. The two-seat, single engine, low-wing, all metal monoplane is powered by a Textron Lycoming AE10-540L1B5 engine which is certified for inverted flight. Its maximum speed is 388 km per hour; cruising speed is 278km per hour and its range is 836km.

Pacific Aerospace Corporation's flagship PAC 750XL aircraft, which recently received American Federal Aviation Administration certification and the equivalent certification from the Australian aviation authorities, continues to attract the attention of buyers worldwide.

This weekend will see the departure of the first PAC 750XL to Europe. The buyer is Swiss skydiving operator Paravia AG. This follows last month's delivery of the first PAC 750XL to Australia.

Pacific Aerospace Corporation predicts that within one year it could have aircraft in seven different markets including Europe, USA, Australia, Africa and New Zealand.

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