Hawker Pacific Signs Air Force Aircraft Contract

16 October 2012

Hawker Pacific Signs Air Force Aircraft Contract

The New Zealand Defence Force signed a contract today with Hawker Pacific New Zealand for the supply and maintenance support of four King Air B200 aircraft.

"The King Air B200 is a high performance turboprop aircraft that has proven itself to Defence Forces across the world as a flexible and reliable platform,” said Craig Purry, Vice President for Government Business Hawker Pacific.

“The B200 aircraft is a critical component of our fleet as it will be our interim advanced pilot training aircraft and also provide a domestic air transport capability,” said Air Vice-Marshal Peter Stockwell, Chief of Air Force.

“The five year performance based-contract encompasses an innovative finance leasing solution provided through Hawker Pacific New Zealand. It also provides support arrangements utilising the unique and efficient Hawker-developed Hybrid Airworthiness processes which have been specifically tailored to meet the demanding RNZAF training and air lift operational requirements,” said Mr Purry.

Since being notified as the preferred tenderer the fleet of aircraft has been purchased and ferried to New Zealand, modified, tested and accepted, including gaining the necessary airworthiness approval of both NZCAA and NZDF.

Prior to entering service, Hawker Pacific installed a range of modifications to the aircraft intended to meet the operational needs of the RNZAF as well as to supplement the factory standard advanced Rockwell Collins Pro-Line 21 avionics suite and Pratt and Whitney PT6 turbo-prop engines.

“The demonstrated strength of the relationships that have already been established across all facets of the project bodes extremely well for the future success of this project going forward. Hawker Pacific’s approach in combining civilian efficiencies and tailored military specific customer outcomes is especially relevant in an era where there is increasing pressure to deliver capabilities in an innovative and cost effective manner,” said Mr Purry.

“We are delighted to welcome these newer B200s into the Air Force fleet and we look forward to working with Hawker Pacific,” said Air Vice-Marshal Stockwell.

ENDS

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