June 1995
An Annual Directory Compiled By Ray Deerness
"TWICE as good for half the price" claims tend to bring a doubtful response, especially in commercial aviation. Fieldair Group Chief Bill Olsen has been playing the company's FU-24 repower project hand close to the chest. Such words do not pass his lips.
IN New Zealand the Air Tractor tends gets confused with the Thrush, mainly because they were designed by the same man, a man who was not only an ag pilot and an operator, but who also designed and built agricultural aircraft - ag legend Leland Snow.
WHAT aircraft would top the scales as having moved and spread more fertiliser than any other in New Zealand? An airframe now history, or perhaps still in existence but now of no great significance, its role and contribution unrecognised? Maybe pioneering ZK-AZL, the retired DC-3 confronting the elements at Mystery Creek? Maybe a time and strip worn old Fletcher, boasting the latest in a long series of overhauled engines and a new trainee ag pilot, getting on with the job? None of the above. Instead, it's an airframe not even three years old, still in its youth, and with a mind boggling 75,000 tons of fertiliser poured in the top of its hopper and out through the spreader.
A History Of Development By Ray Deerness.
THE 400 horse power Lycoming Fletcher has been with us now for twenty-five years. Today many new to the industry cannot imagine the aircraft powered with a 300 hp, or even a 225 hp engine as they were originally constructed...
THE 400 horse power Lycoming Fletcher has been with us now for twenty-five years. Today many new to the industry cannot imagine the aircraft powered with a 300 hp, or even a 225 hp engine as they were originally constructed...
LAST YEAR I purchased two Lak-12 gliders and a Blanik off the State Aircraft Factory of Lithuania; the three were soon snaffled up by the Hauraki Aero Club and members, and consequently not seen out side the area...
Additions, Deletions And Changes Of Ownership On The New Zealand Civil Register.
De Havilland Canade DHC-8 Dash Eight Zk-Nez Shows Off Its New Livery. John King Photograph.
 July 1995 |
 May 1995 |
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