Regional Airline Directory

In the past calendar year, we have seen new types introduced to Reg. 203 routes with the arrival of the Shorts 330 and the Grumman Gulfstream I. The Shorts 330 has evidently found instant passenger acceptance, with only favourable passenger comments being reported by the operators.

Skywest’s Grumman Gulfstream I acquired late in 1981 was viewed as a big event for Commuter Airlines, as it displaced the Swearingen Metroliner as the biggest commuter-airliner flown by Reg. 203 operators in Australia. I’m actually looking forward to the coming of the Metro 111, which has an ten-feet-increase in wingspan, and appreciably more power, and the Department of Aviation is looking at local approval for AUW of 14,100 lbs.

Another commuter aircraft to look forward to is the Beech C-99, the first of which was delivered to a US commuter airline about August 1981. Based on the 99 series, the C-99 has 700-odd specification changes, which enable it to carry 15 passengers at 250 knots.

With the Avgas drought over, and fuel prices more realistic, aeroplanes such as the Piper Navajo Chieftain are once again in the thick of the Third-Level scene, becoming economically viable again. Actually, the Piper Chieftain was designed as a corporate aircraft, but it’s significant that right around the world, one-third of all Chieftains are in commuter service! Some new arrivals from Piper can be expected soon too, with the T-1020 and T-1040. Both aircraft feature airline-style interiors, and with crews of two, they will provide nine revenue-earning seat positions.

British Aerospace is currently offering the rejuvenated Jetstream 31 light turboprop transport, designed to carry 18 to 19 passengers plus baggage. Eighteen passengers will be able to be carried 620 nautical miles, or about 1150 kilometres.

Over in the United States, the Commuter Airline Association has made a name-change to the Regional Airlines Association, in an effort to boost public awareness of Commuter Airlines and demonstrate their contribution as a supplement to US Second Level carriers. Back home, our Regional Airlines Association and some aircraft distributors were wrangling with the Department of Aviation over certification standards that will have to be met for aircraft such as the Metro Ill. And at the time of writing, the two-pilot regulation is not due to be introduced till January 1, 1983. It applies to all aircraft with ten or more passengers, and with a MTOW exceeding 5700 kg, or turboprops with more than 3500 kg. (The Sydney Airport Super King Air disaster involving VH-AAV owned by the now-defunct Advance Airlines involved 12 passengers at a calculated TOW of 5798. 1 kg!)

The Department of Aviation are to be commended for its attempts to upgrade Reg. 203 standards. Even though it will cost initially, the long-term benefits should make it all worthwhile. Just some of the Review of Legislation for Commuter Air Service Standards involves Air Operators Certificates, Maintenance requirements, Certification standards, new lower category aerodromes, a review of Lighting Standards and Performance requirements, and radio equipment and other aids. Stage 1 of the Review of Commuter Air Service Standards actually consisted of a package of 31 proposals, together with Part 2 of the pertinent recommendations of the Domestic Air Transport Policy Review, combined with a document listing the operational and airworthiness requirements of Commuter Services under Air Navigation Regulation (ANR)203. This document was sent out to all Commuter Operators for comments and suggestions. Department of Aviation then used the feedback from operators to frame Stage 2, which is a Review of Submissions, and all the proposed Legislation.

Before his departure as Minister, Mr Ralph Hunt was quoted as denying rumours that Regional Operators would be banned from Sydney’s Kingsford-Smith Airport. He said that ‘it was too early to be making predictions about the effect of any future restrictions. Country Regional Services will not be singled out,’ he said. We’ll see. . .

Although slightly out of date, the latest available figures from D. O. A. for the Third Level industry are for the period 1975 through 1979. They tell us that 660,396 passengers were carried by Reg. 203 operators in that period, with the hours and kilometres flown almost doubling from the previous period 1971-75. In 1979 alone, BPA, now Air Queensland, carried 107,170 passengers, while in the NSW Region, the Sydney Newcastle routes experienced the heaviest passenger loads.

Perhaps with the demise of the Department of Transport and the re-birth of D. C. A. under the new title Department of Aviation, we will see more up-to-date statistics and sorely needed refinements in other areas.

A number of Reg. 203 operators are now being courted seriously by Second Level Airlines, perhaps the most significant being Air Queensland. Air Queensland’s growth is so rapid at this time, that the Airline will soon be just too big to include in this Directory of Third Level Airlines. It will have truly come of age.

Just before we review the individual Commuter Airlines in alphabetical order of merit, I’ll give my tip for the new type which will make the biggest impression on the industry during 1983 – the awaited Dornier 228-200, being distributed here by Wings

Australia, and which that airline plans to introduce to their Regional NSW network early in 1983.

SPECIAL NOTE: This Directory is effective for the year ending July 1st 1982. While every attempt is made to ascertain the precise routes served and the aircraft types in operation these may change following closing for press. Information for this Directory has been obtained from the industry in general with the kind assistance of the DOA. However, as we all know, commuter operators tend to come and go with great rapidity and even the best updates from the Department, and the major distributors, miss the odd carrier who has ceased RPT operations.

Aeropelican Intercity Commuter Air Services

Taken over in 1980 by Masling, Aeropelican was again affected by the TNT and News Limited takeover of Masling, and the TNTNews Limited sale of Masling and Clubair to Jet Charter Airlines, trading as Wings Australia. Aeropelican is still actually under TNT control, operating a DHC 6-100 Twin Otter, and three DHC 6-320 Twin Otters. The only route flown by Aeropelican is Belmont-Sydney. This highly successful operation is carrying in the order of 10,000 passengers monthly.

Air Great Lakes Pty Ltd

Based at Sydney Kingsford-Smith Airport, and recently taken over by Singleton Air Services, Air Great Lakes operates services from Sydney to Scone, Sydney-Scone-Wallis Island, Sydney-Wallis Island, and Sydney-Wallis Island-Scone, using a Piper PA 31. The airline has been operating since 1980. Future operations to Wallis Island though are in doubt due to declining load factors.

Air North Pty Ltd

The closure of Northern Airlines operations and dispersal of its equipment presented an opportunity quickly taken up by Air North to service the Darwin to Echo Island route. The company has subsequently added the Darwin-Raminginning-Lake Evelia schedule to its timetable. Equipment is a Beechcraft Super King Air 200, a Cessna 421, three Cessna 402s and a Cessna 310.

Air Queensland

Formerly known as BPA, and Bush Pilots Airways, this ‘rising star’ Third-Level Airline has leased two F-27 200 aeroplanes from Ansett for use on the Brisbane-Maryborough-Bundaberg Gladstone services. The aircraft will also be used to service the Central Queensland coalfields.

Air Queensland is growing so rapidly that it will be soon too big to include in this Third-Level Directory. Air Queensland has taken over Ansett’s Gladstone-Bundaberg-Maryborough routes and has recently acquired a fifth de Havilland DHC 6-300 Twin Otter from the United Kingdom, which is to be used to fly to the Bedarra Island resort. Both Ansett and TAA have indicated ‘mutually satisfactory commercial arrangements with Air Queensland. ‘

Mr Ralph Hunt, before his departure as Minister, stated that it is possible that Air Queensland might also be prepared to take over other routes that TAA or Ansett wish to vacate. ‘ Air Queensland’s Twin Otter utilisation sees one aircraft being left in Mackay for services to Brampton Island and Shute Harbour. Two operate from Cairns, one replaced a Trislander to Dunk Island. The fifth will operate the Townsville-Collinsville schedule.

Air Queensland commenced operations as Bush Pilots in 1951 with a Tiger Moth. The airline now has a payroll of almost 300 personnel and is planning to introduce the 36-seat de Havilland Canada DASH 8 during 1985-86. Even back in 1979, Air Queensland carried over 107,000 passengers.

Air Transit Pty Ltd

Based at Adelaide Airport, this company operates services from Adelaide to American River, then to Kingscote and Parndana. No information is available on equipment used on the route.

Albatross Air Charters

K. A. E. and R. S. Stevens operate a Single Piper Cherokee Six between Adelaide and Kingscote.

Amity Aviation

One of two new commuter operators to enter the ranks in Western Australia, Amity Aviation links the Kimberley stations, using three Partenavias. Originally, Twin Otters were used to serve these remote areas. Apparently, the move to Partenavias has been helped along by certain prominent local citizens. Amity Services connects with Airlines of Western Australian F-28 Fellowship jets, to Perth.

Aquatic Airways Pty Ltd

Based at Palm Beach NSW, in the Barrenjoey Boathouse, Aquatic Airways operates Palm Beach to Port Stephens. Equipment consists of two Cessna 185s, and a de Havilland Canada DHC Beaver. The Cessna 206 that was operated by the company is no longer in use. The proprietor of the airline, and Chief Pilot, is Mr Vic Walton.

Avdev Airlines Davey

In 1980, Advance Airlines was taken over by Aviation Developments, and company aircraft now sport the name ‘Davey’ in their livery, following their takeover of Davey Air Services. Avdev Airlines Davey now have Department of Aviation approval to operate into Tullamarine, provided they crew with two pilots and have ten or more passengers. Aircraft operated include three Beechcraft Super King Air 200s, a de Havilland DH 114 Heron, an Embraer Bandeirante EMB-110, a Piper PA 30-160, and a Beech 58. Routes serviced include Brisbane – Lord Howe, Dubbo – Parkes – Broken Hill – Wilcannia – Nyngan, Sydney-Brewarrina – Bourke, Sydney – Cobar, Sydney – Lord Howe Island, Sydney – Nyngan – Bourke, Sydney – Parkes, Sydney -Brewarrina, Williamtown – Lord Howe Island.

Avior Pty Ltd

This company operates a scheduled coastal service, using a Piper Navajo Chieftain, a Piper Turbo Navajo, and a Beechcraft Baron. Places serviced include Perth, Kambalda, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Shark Bay, Jurien Bay and Eneabba.

Barrier Reef Airways

Using an ex-Fiji Air Britten Norman Islander, registered VHBRQ, Barrier Reef Airways operate regular daily Brisbane Bundaberg flights. The service is patronised mainly by tourists, as is the Air Whitsunday service. Air Whitsunday are actually the nation’s largest sea-plane operator, with five Lake Buccaneer Amphibians. Air Whitsunday operate daily charters to Hardy Reef Lagoon.

Caelli Investments Pty Ltd

Trading as Singleton Air Services, and using three aircraft, a Cessna 310, Cessna 401 and a 402B, the company operates Cessnock-Sydney, Cessnock-Warkworth-Sydney, Warkworth Cessnock-Sydney, and Warkworth-Sydney. Operations are based at Warkworth, NSW. This carrier has recently taken over Air Great Lakes.

Clubair Pty Ltd

Previously operating two GAF Nomad 22bs Sydney-Maitland, Clubair and Masling were both purchased by Jet Charter AirIines, trading as Wings Australia. On the Sydney-Maitland route, a fifteen per cent growth factor has been recently recorded. Wings are using a Shorts SD 330 Williamtown-Sydney, while the equipment for Sydney-Maitland is now Bandeirantes replacing the original Nomads. Department of Aviation regulations regarding Regular Public Transport (RPT) aircraft over a weight of 12,500 lbs are restricting the use of Shorts 330 into Maitland.

Commodore Aviation Pty Ltd

Commodores fly the Adelaide-Minlaton-Port Lincoln-Wudinna Streaky Bay-Ceduna route, and also operate Adelaide-Cleve. Equipment includes three Cessna Skymasters, two Cessna 402 Bs, a Piper Aztec, a Piper Cherokee Six, and a Piper Navajo. The airline is based at Port Lincoln.

East Coast (Commuter) Airlines Ltd

Four Cessna 404 Titans and two Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirantes constitute the East Coast Airlines fleet. Routes serviced are numerous, twenty-five in all, and include Catts Harbour-Grafton-Lismore-Brisbane-Coolangatta-ArmidaleTamworth, Coffs-Kempsey-Port Macquarie, lnverell-Glen lnnes Casino-Coolangatta, Sydney-Bathurst, Williamtown-Sydney, Williamtown-Tamworth-Armidale-Coffs Harbour-Grafton Lismore-Coolangatta-Port Macquarie-Taree-Williamtown, and Williamtown-Tamworth-Armidale-Brisbane.

Recently negotiated agreements with East-West Airlines have added Sydney-Newcastle, Sydney-Cowra, Sydney Orange, Sydney-Bathurst, and Sydney-Parkes to the route structure flown. This Tamworth-based operation bought one of the Air Tasmania Bandeirantes. East-West Airlines have a shareholding in the company. The airline has a keen competitor in the form of Wings Australia flying into Newcastle, Wings operating Shorts SD 330s, and Bandeirantes which were acquired from the Masling takeover. (East-West Airlines also operate an F-27 service Williamtown-Brisbane-Coolangatta. )

Eastern Airlines (K. D. S. Pty Ltd)

An all-Piper fleet of three aeroplanes (Aztec, Seneca and Navajo) make up Eastern Airlines equipment, which services a six-route Commuter network. Brisbane-Cherribah Stanthorpe, Brisbane-Cherribah-Lismore-Coffs, Brisbane Warwick-Cherribah-Stanthorpe-Sydney, Cherribah-St George, and Cherribah-Goondiwindi are the main routes serviced. The airline is based at Brisbane·.

K. S. Easter Holdings Pty Ltd

Trading as Easter Airways, this attractively liveried Third-Level Airline is based at Williamtown. Only one route is flown, Williamtown-Wollongong, with three aeroplanes, a Cessna 31OR, a 402B, and a Cessna 421.

Executive Airlines

With company marketing and engineering based at Essendon Airport, both Executive Airlines and H. C. Sleigh Airlines are owned by H. C. Sleigh Aviation Ltd. Equipment includes six GAF Nomad 22bs, a large number of Gulfstream Aero Commanders (believed to be about twelve aircraft), four Grand Commanders, eight Partenavia P-68Bs, a PBY 5 Catalina, and two Enstrom F-28s. Many of the aircraft are deployed on surveillance or survey contract charters. Three new Cessna 404 Titans were also acquired to fly Bass Strait to Tasmania. The Titans fly three times daily into Flinders Island. The route structure is Essendon-Flinders Island, King lsland-Wynyard, Launceston-Flinders Island, Launceston-King lsland-Devonport Wynyard, Launceston-Hobart.

Eyre Charter Pty Ltd

Based at Adelaide Airport, and using two Piper Seneca aeroplanes, Eyre Charter links Adelaide, Tumby Bay and Cummins, with daily services.

Fortescue Air Charter

A small commuter operation, linking Wittenoom with Paraburdoo in Western Australia, the airline is believed to utilise two aircraft. Information as to their type is not available at the time of writing.

A. G. Gawne

Trading as both Gawne Aviation and Gawne Airlines, this Shepparton-based airline uses a Piper Aztec on services from Melbourne to Shepparton. One of the smallest Third-Level operators listed in this directory.

Hazelton Air Services Pty Ltd

An impressive fleet of two Beechcraft Super King Air 200s, six Cessna 31Os, three Piper PA 30s, five Piper PA 31 Navajo Chieftains enable Hazelton to service Condobolin-Cudal Sydney, Cudal-Orange-Sydney, Cudal-Sydney, Dubbo-Cudal Orange-Canberra, Gunnedah-Sydney, Orange-Cudal-Dubbo, Orange-Sydney-Orange-Cudal, and Sydney-Orange. The airline is based at Cudal, NSW.

Heliflite Pty Ltd

This company’s plan to fly Castle Hill-Wollongong-Sydney has been abandoned now. For the past three years, Heliflite has used a Hughes 300, a Robinson R22, or Bell Jetranger helicopter on their Castle Hill-Sydney service. Flown purely on an ‘on-demand’ basis, no timetables are issued. Heliflite is based at Castle Hill.

K. T. & I. M. Henebery (Henebery Aviation)

The Latest information available indicates only Brisbane-Caloundra is being serviced, possibly using a Partenavia P-68B aircraft. Three Cessna single-engined aeroplanes were at one stage also operated by the company.

Jet Charter Airlines (trading as Wings Australia)

Another commuter airline operation to watch! Bigger things are certainly in store for Jet Charter. Originally servicing one route only, Wollongong-Sydney, from Wollongong’s Albion Park Airport, this service was abandoned in 1980. The company purchased Masling from TNT and News Limited, and Clubair, and is now heavily involved in passenger services, survey, VIP charter and overnight parcel delivery, for TNT Express. Their present equipment is four Shorts 330s, four IAI Westwinds, two Learjet 35s, one Cessna Citation 11, four Bandeirantes, three Beech Queen Airs, one Super King Air 200, two N24 GAF Nomads, a Cessna 421, one Aerostar 601P, a Piper Aztec, two Partenavias, and a Beech Baron.

The Shorts 330s operated by the company are 30-seat airliners, with wide-body cabins, and big-jet comforts, such as toilets, overhead storage, walk-around headroom, and wideview windows. Feedback from passengers about the Shorts is apparently all good.

The airline recently applied for South Australian domestic routes from Adelaide to Whyalla and Port Lincoln. The competition on that route is Airlines of South Australia, using Fokker F-27s. Wings Australia would use Shorts 330s on the route. Wings Australia’s Shorts 330s are the first commuter aircraft licensed in Australia, operating to full airline standards. The company is taking over some Air New South Wales routes, one being Sydney-Mudgee, replacing F-27s with Bandeirantes. Nomads and Bandeirantes are earmarked to replace Queen Airs on the previously-flown Masling routes, and also, Wings plan to introduce a Dornier 228 early in 1983.

Jet Charter Airlines has an eighty per cent interest in South Western Airlines. They also are an authorised Garrett maintenance centre, and have an overhaul facility at Botany, NSW.

Wings Australia’s Beechcraft Super King Air 200 is being used to service a former Masling route, Albury-Canberra Newcastle. It’s extremely obvious that Wings is being wooed seriously by Air New South Wales. Wings’ Sydney-Mudgee Bandeirante route, and Sydney-Walgett Shorts 330 service are both being flown in conjunction with Air New South Wales’ F-27 services.

When the Dornier 228-200 arrives, the company will utilise that 19-seat aircraft on the NSW Regional Network. This is expected to happen sometime later in 1982. The Dornier will eventually replace the Bandeirantes on the Masling routes, with the Bandeirantes taking over on the old Clubair GAF Nomad services. Eventually, Sydney-Maitland, like Sydney-Williamtown, will be serviced by Shorts 330s. Two Nomads will go to South Australia and will be used by O’Connor Airways, another recent Wings Australia corporate acquisition.

Kendell Airlines (Premiair Aviation Pty Ltd)

Kendell recently commenced services to the Victorian centres of Warrnambool and Portland, taking the route over from NorthWest Airlines. North-West have opted to settle mainly for freight and parcel work. Kendell replaced its Navajo 310s with three Swearingen Metro lls. North-West has retained its routes to Ararat, Stawell and Horsham. Western New South Wales Airlines has taken over some ex-Kendell routes, namely Griffith Wagga, Griffith-Canberra and Griffith-Melbourne. They purchased a Kendell Shrike Commander 500 sometime around June or July 1981.

Kendell Airlines operate their Metroliners Wagga-Melbourne Merimbula-Cooma-King Island. . Kendell’s base is at Wagga Wagga, NSW.

Lindeman Aerial Services Pty Ltd

This airline caters mainly for Ansett passengers en-route from Mackay and Proserpine to Lindeman Island Resort Centre. The equipment is two PBN2a Islanders with a Piper Aztec and a Gulfstream Commander. In addition to scheduled services, a large amount of sporadic work is flown by the airline.

Masling Commuter Services Pty Ltd

Masling was purchased from TNT and News Limited by the go ahead Jet Charter Airlines. Previously flown Masling Queen Air routes have been replaced by Nomads and Bandeirantes. Albury-Canberra-Williamtown is now flown by a Wings Australia (formerly Jet Charter) Beechcraft Super King Air 200. Routes now flown under the Masling livery include Cootamundra Young-Sydney, Maitland-Williamtown-Sydney, Sydney-Cowra, Sydney-Forbes-Cowra-Sydney, Sydney-Forbes-West Wyalong, Sydney-Mudgee, West Wyalong-Temora-Sydney, and Williamtown-Sydney. Equipment is two Beech 65-80s, a Beech 70, a Beech 200, three Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirantes, a GAF Nomad 22b, and a Shorts 330, the latter registered VH-KNO. Mailings are based at Cootamundra.

Macknight Nominees Pty Ltd (Macknight Airlines)

One route only is flown, Balranald-Deniliquin-Tocumwal-Wagga Wagga, using three aeroplanes; a Piper Seneca, a Gulfstream Shrike Commander 500 and a Grand Commander. The company headquarters is at Deniliquin.

Mildura Aviation Holdings Pty Ltd (Murray Valley Airlines)

This company services three routes: Melbourne-Mildura, Mildura-Renmark-Adelaide, and Mildura-Adelaide, with a Piper Chieftain.

Navair Pty Ltd

Run by genial Mr Jim Hazelton, the company is based at Bankstown. Navair was pursuing rights to fly Bankstown to Essendon, but Jim advises that no such approval has yet been granted. Only one route is flown, Camden-Sydney-Bankstown. This service is regularly scheduled on Mondays and Fridays using a Beech 76 Duchess, VH-WEC, a Navajo, VH-BEB, and a Piper Twin Comanche VH-CVR. Navair is heavily involved in general charter and training operations.

Whitaker Pty Ltd (Noosa Air)

Also trades as Sunstate Airlines. Noosa Air has recently been associated with Ansett Airlines in the running of a cabin attendant training course. The airline purchased a former Aeropelican Twin Otter to service their South Queensland regional network. Cessna 402s, and Brittten-Norman Islanders are also operated. Routes flown are Hervey Bay-Maryborough Noosa, Hervey Bay-Maroochydore, Noosa-Brisbane, and Noosa-Maroochydore-Brisbane. Company headquarters is at Maryborough in Queensland.

The Sunstate operation is Queensland’s newest addition to the Regulation 203 operators. Combined Noosa and Sunstate equipment consists of two Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirantes, a DHC-6 Twin Otter, a number of Cessna 402s, and BN2a Islanders. Noosa Airlines began with Twin Otters in 1981, and then Bandeirantes were added. In fact, the company acquired the last Air Tasmania Bandeirante that was up for sale.

TAA share some of its Queensland routes with Noosa Airlines Bandeirantes, namely Brisbane-Maryborough-Bundaberg-Gladstone.

Norfolk Island Airlines Pty Ltd

Brisbane-based Norfolk Island Airways (trading in Receivership) operates three Beechcraft Super King Air 200s from Norfolk Island-Brisbane, Norfolk Island-Lord Howe Island, and Brisbane to Lord Howe. Unlike other commuter operators, its services protrude outside the Australian Oceanic FIRs, and are uniquely treated as international flights. Aircraft operated are VH-IBC, IBD and IBE. The airline’s radio callsign is ‘Norfolk’, and not just the domestic three-letter registration.

Northern Territory Air Charter Pty Ltd

Three routes are flown, from Darwin to Jabiru, Darwin-Bathurst Island-Snake Bay-Garden Point, and Darwin-Croker lsland Goulburn Island. Equipment utilised is two Beech 95 Barons, a Beech A 36 Bonanza, and two Cessna 402bs.

Northwest Skyways Pty Ltd

Trading as Northwest Airlines, the service operates four Navajo Chieftains, a Turbo Navajo, a Partenavia P-68 Victor, a Piper Aerostar, a Piper PA-23 Aztec 250, a Cessna 182, and two Beech A 36 Bonanzas, along with an Embraer Bandeirante.

The airline is based at Essendon, and its route structure is: Essendon-Ararat-Stawell-Horsham, Essendon-Sale-Bairnsdale, Essendon-Warrnambool-Hamilton-Portland, and Essendon Mildura.

L. T. & P. O’Connor (O’Connor’s Air Service)

One route only is flown with four stops. Adelaide-Kingston Naracoorte-Mt. Gambier-Millicent. The airline is Mt. Gambier based and operates a Cessna 402b, and a Partenavia. Two Nomads will soon be added to the fleet from Wings Australia, or Jet Charter Airlines, who recently took over O’Connor’s Air Service. Jet Charter, as stated elsewhere in this article, also acquired Masling, Clubair and Aeropelican.

Opal Air Pty Ltd

In late 1981, Opal Air began flying new regular commuter services to Marla Bore, and Roxby Downs, in South Australia, forsaking their routes to Ayers Rock and Andamooka. However, the main route flown using their fleet of Cessna 421s is Adelaide-Woomera-Olympic Dam-Coober Pedy-Marla. Opal Air is based at Adelaide Airport.

Oxley Airlines Pty Ltd

Operating from Port Macquarie, five Piper aircraft constitute Oxley Airlines. There’s a Piper PA-31-350 Chieftain and four Piper PA-31-310 Navajos. One of the 310s was an acquisition from Bankstown-based Navair. Two routes are flown. Port Macquarie-Lord Howe Island, and Port Macquarie-Armidalelnverell-Moree-Narrabri-Gunnedah-Tamworth-Port Macquarie.

Pagas Pty Ltd

Courted by Airlines of South Australia and based in Adelaide, Pagas, which stands for Port Augusta Air Services, operates a substantial network. Originally Aero Commander 500s were utilised. Pagas now flies four Gulfstream Shrike Commanders and recently acquired their second Bandeirante, after an epi 84-hour ferry flight direct from Brazil! Their first Bandeirante was leased. Pagas is now servicing Adelaide-BrokenHill on days when Airlines of South Australia don’t fly the route. The company is also flying Mildura-Melbourne, which is an Ansett route, and another Airlines of South Australia route, Adelaide-Kingscote.

In May 1982, Pagas took delivery of a Nomad N24a, capable of seating 16 passengers. They operate it on the Adelaide Kingscote-Kangaroo Island route on weekdays. A full breakdown of other services is Adelaide-Port Pirie-Port Augusta Leigh Creek, Adelaide-Penneshaw, Leigh Creek-Maree-Merti-Innaminka-Durham Downs-Arrabury-Cordillo Downs-Birdsville-Bedourie-Boulia-Glengyle-Durrie-Roseberth-Birdsville. Finally, Pagas flies Port Augusta-Mt. Gurson-Andamooka-Oodnadatta.

Paggis Airlines Pty Ltd

Another new Reg. 203 operator for Western Australia, servicing a twice-weekly schedule from Onslow to Parabudo. Equipment utilised is a Partenavia P-68B.

Rossair Pty Ltd

Based at Parafield in South Australia, three routes are flown. Adelaide-Ceduna, Adelaide-Mt. Gambier, and Adelaide Whyalla, using a fleet of Cessna 310s and 402s. Rossair is another Third-Level airline courted by a Second-Level operator. This time, it’s Airlines of South Australia, with the Adelaide Ceduna route.

Rossair Aviation Sales Pty Ltd

Trading as Chartair, this Alice Springs-based airline operates Alice Springs-Ernabella-Fregon-Amata, using Cessna 310s and a Partenavia P-68B.

Rundle Air Service Pty Ltd

One route is flown by Rundle Air Services, and that’s from Townsville to Greenvale, also known as Miner’s Lake. At time of writing, we have not been advised by the company of the equipment used on the route.

Skytour Air Charters

This company did operate a Third-Level service from Adelaide to Yorktown, but it ceased these operations early in 1982.

Scruse Air Pty Ltd

Operating three Bell 206 JetRangers from Heliport Place, Sydney Airport, this successful Gosford-Sydney commuter airline flies a high-frequency service. Approval was earlier sought to use the Darling Harbour City Heliport in Sydney, but it was not granted due to safety considerations. The high-density built-up areas surrounding the Darling Harbour Heliport, plus the unavailability of suitable emergency landing areas, were apparently the reasons why the proposal was rejected by the Department of Aviation. Helicopter registrations in the Scruse Air livery are VH-AHV, VH-BLV and VH-SAI.

Skywest Airlines Pty Ltd (Now merged with Trans-West Airlines)

When Skywest acquired a Grumman Gulfstream I, VH-WBA, the purchase was considered a major breakthrough for commuter operators, as Metros were the largest type in use by Third-Level airlines until that time. A Super King Air 200 aircraft was traded. in by Skywest to get the new Grumman aircraft. Skywest also acquired a Bandeirante of their own, having leased one before this. In December 1981, Skywest’s Gulfstream was used in airline service flying Perth to Kalgoorlie, a route normally flown by Airlines of Western Australia F-28 jets. Up to that time, the new Gulfstream had handled mine charters, and scheduled services between Perth and Esperance. It replaced a Bandeirante on this route.

In 1982, Skywest merged with Trans-West Airlines, giving the combined operation a fleet of 36 aircraft. Dennis Howe and Bill Meeke run the merged operation as joint Managing Directors, with all equipment under the Skywest banner.

Trans-West is one of the biggest general aviation operators in the country, and boast a 13-seat Cessna Citation, based at Port Hedland, with Super King Air 200s. The company also has second-hand Twin Otters operating Derby to Port Hedland scheduled services, and these are now fitted with large cargo doors. There’s also a Twin Otter service Derby to Koolan and Derby-Cockatoo. Transwest has eight Cessna 310s too. A Cessna 404 Titan was used at one time on Port Hedland and Pilbara services, with a Britten-Norman BN2a Islander carrying out mineral survey and general charter work. Other routes flown, some of which were taken up from Airlines of Western Australia are Leonora-Laverton-Kalgoorlie, Port Hedland Marble Bar-Telfer-Nullagine-Newman, Karratha-Onslow-Tom Price, Derby-Fitzroy Crossing-Halls Creek-Margaret River, Derby-Beverley Springs-Gibb River-Mount House. When Transwest Airlines took delivery of their Cessna Citation 11, and their Beech Super King Air 200, it brought their fleet value to well over ten million dollars!

Southern Cross Air Services Pty Ltd

Operating a Beech A 65 and a Beech 70, Southern Cross Air Services are based at Sydney Airport and fly four routes only. These are Moruya-Canberra, Sydney-Nowra-Moruya, Sydney Tumut, and Sydney-Wollongong.

South Western Airlines Pty Ltd

Owned by Jet Charter Airlines, South Western Airlines became the thirteenth Reg. 203 operator in the state of South Australia when they began Adelaide-Whyalla scheduled services. Equipment on the route is a Cessna 421, and the company also has acquired Cessna 31Os and an Aerostar, with which charter work is flown.

Sunstate Airlines

(See under Whitaker Pty Ltd, Noosa Air. )

Tangalooma Airlines Pty Ltd

Present equipment is a solitary Islander. The company aircraft service the Brisbane-Tangalooma Island route, and are based at Brisbane Airport.

Tennant Air Pty Ltd

This busy Northern Territory airline operates scheduled services between Tennant Creek and Mount Isa, using a Partenavia P-68b, two Cessnas and a Piper Aztec. Company base is at Tennant Creek, in the Northern Territory.

Thorpe’s Transport Pty Ltd

An impressive network of eight routes is flown. Three aircraft are operated, including a BN2a Islander and a Beech Baron. Based at Thursday Island, Thorpe’s route structure is mainly interisland. Services are from Horn lsland-Damaga, Horn lsland Saibai lsland-Badu Island-Yorke Island, Horn Island-Yorke Island-Sue Island-Yam lsland-Saibai Island, Horn Island-Murray Island-Yorke Island, and Horn lsland-Borgu lsland-Saibai Island. Thorpe’s were purchased by Avdev earlier this year.

Tilair Pastoral Development (NT) Pty Ltd

Based at Katherine in the Northern Territory, three scheduled routes are serviced; Katherine-Roper River-Numbalwar-Groote Eylandt, Katherine-Victoria River Downs-Wave Hill-Kalkarung Hookes Creek, and Katherine-Darwin. An all-Cessna fleet comprising three Centurions, two 301s, a 402, a 404 Titan and a Stationair 6 Mini-commuter are utilised

Tropic Air Services Pty Ltd

Operating a fleet of five Cessnas and a Partenavia on charter work, Tropic Air was servicing Carnarvon-Gascoyne Junction. They are currently not involved in commuter activity, but when the Useless Loop airfield modifications are completed a Carnarvon-Useless Loop service will begin. Still worthy of a mention here.

T. Thomas Air Transport Systems Pty Ltd

Three routes only were flown, Sydney-Hay-Mildura, Sydney-Hay-Balranald, and Sydney-Hay-Swan Hill-Mildura, which were originally flown by Countrywide Air Services, a company that ceased trading early in 1981.

Equipment operated by T. Thomas were two Piper PA-31s, one a 31O series, and the other a 350. T. Thomas Air Transport Systems Pty Ltd ceased all operations, however, on 6th June, 1982. The company was based at Sydney Airport.

Western Airlines Pty Ltd

Not to be confused with Western New South Wales Airlines Pty Ltd, Western Airlines operate a Piper Navajo and Cessna 210 service from Kalgoorlie to Norseman. The airline has its base at Jandakot.

Western New South Wales Airlines Pty Ltd

Based at Forest Hill Airport, Wagga Wagga, NSW, an Aero Commander 500S and a Piper PA-31 operate a five-route network: Canberra-Tumut, Griffith-Melbourne, Wagga Wagga, Canberra, Wagga Wagga-Griffith, and Wagga Wagga-Tumut.