whocares 0 #1 August 21, 2003 Kiwi-built plane designed for high-flyers 21.08.2003 By PAM GRAHAM The first passenger aircraft to be built in New Zealand has been cleared for takeoff. The Civil Aviation Authority handed over a type certificate for the PAC 750XL, designed and built for the adventure tourism market by Pacific Aerospace Corporation, at a function at Hamilton International Airport last night. The aircraft can take 17 fully kitted skydivers, or eight tandem pairs, and a cameraman to 3600m in 12 minutes and be back on the ground for another load in four minutes. It is rugged, reliable, easy to run and, at $1.7 million apiece, cheaper than anything else on the international market, said PAC's general manager John McWilliam. The company has made about 560 aircraft for training and agricultural uses in the past 50 years. It realised no one was making purpose-built aircraft for skydiving after a visit from United States company Utility Aircraft Corporation in 1998. The American skydiving industry is estimated to use about 600 aircraft, all modified from other uses. PAC took up the idea and a prototype has been flying since 2001. The certification marks the "birth" of the aircraft and the first PAC 750XL has been sold to Freefall Great Lakes Skydive Centre in Taupo. The aircraft has a wide door, high-lift wings and a 750HP Pratt & Whitney engine. McWilliam said it could also be used for medical evacuations, and as a freight or passenger aircraft. PAC has firm orders for seven aircraft and indications of interest for up to 260. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #2 August 21, 2003 its about damn time!!I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #4 August 21, 2003 Hubba HubbbaI'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
juanesky 0 #5 August 21, 2003 Quote Kiwi-built plane designed for high-flyers Just check the landings....."According to some of the conservatives here, it sounds like it's fine to beat your wide - as long as she had it coming." -Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #6 August 21, 2003 That tail looks pretty low...."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #7 August 21, 2003 Check the other thread in General about this plane, we talk about the tail, its a none issue, the pics make it look that way, but it aint.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #8 August 21, 2003 Quoteits a none issue, the pics make it look that way, but it aint. I wouldnt call it a non-issue.... more a case of not anymore of an issue then with a Caravan.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #9 August 21, 2003 Good point. And much less of an issue then a damned King Air.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflygoddess 0 #10 August 21, 2003 Hey who needs to land in em? We just gotta ride up... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pyke 0 #11 August 21, 2003 MAN....do I ever wish I was back in NZ for this debut!!! I've jumped over Lake Taupo in their old plane "LTP", which was about as big (inside) as a king air...with a k.a. door to boot! LTP (featured in "Crosswind") is a modified Cresco crop duster; single engine - long span. Nice plane, but this one takes the cake!! It's good to see that bigger planes are making their way down to that part of the world. It's a country full of Cessna dzs (180s-210s), but if you can look past their small planes - I can honestly say.... You can't beat the scenery ANYWHERE in the WORLD!!!bold statement....yes, but having jumped at 6 different places in the country...and driven around the rest....I make that confidently! Man - do I miss my 'home'!!! (can't tell - can you??) Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cornholio 0 #12 August 21, 2003 QuoteThat tail looks pretty low.... You can see the tail in that picture ? How ?? Butthead: Whoa! Burritos for breakfast! Beavis: Yeah! Yeah! Cool! bellyflier on the dz.com hybrid record jump Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
