Pacific Aviation Launches New Image

Pacific Aviation has spent A$500,000 redeveloping Its Essendon Airport complex; this includes a new computerised spare parts centre, a new Garrett engine repair shop, refurbishment of hangar facilities and an upgrading of the corporate aircraft flight centre.

Coincidental with this launch came the announcement that Pacific has recently put together a new national sales and marketing team in order to fully represent British Aerospace, Fairchild and Piper; the used aircraft market is also to be ‘aggressively pursued”. Acquisition of Piper West in W. A. , Air Gold Coast in Qld. and Opex Aviation in California has been made to fulfil this aim.

Pacific Aviation in jointly owned by two major Australian companies – Ansett Transport Industries Ltd. and Consolidated Press Holdings Ltd.

Since the launch two new appointments have been made at Pacific Aviation. New Chief Executive for the company is Michael Halleen and Peter Roberts has been promoted to General Manager.

Enthusiasm was expressed for the efficiency of the new computerised spares facility.

“Now our customers located anywhere in Australia can receive aircraft parts and products from within the system inside 24 hours of placing their order,” Peter Roberts said.

From Pacific’s internal point of view, the system means that it now has instant access to parts and products held in its eight warehouses across Australia, thus yielding flexibility of supply to customers and allowing a more viable control of stock (which is achieved through minimum shelf time). The facility also allows direct access to the United States for prompt action on parts not readily available. The new Garrett turbine engine repair shop at Essendon has installed within it modern equipment to accommodate full inspection and repair capabilities of turboprop and fan jet engines.

Pacific has also updated its corporate aircraft flight centres at Mascot (Flight Facilities), Essendon and Eagle Farm to enhance its image and to attract a greater percentage of regular corporate clientele.

The company has had 20 years of experience in aircraft maintenance, engineering, new and used aircraft sales, aviation products, aircraft charter and operations, and commuter and fixed base operations. It is the leading domestic supplier of aviation products to Ansett, Australian Airlines, East West, Air New Guinea and the Australian Defence Forces.

Another less publicised project that Pacific has recently embarked on is the charter operation of a BAe 125-700 which came online in August. Pacific and British Aerospace have an arrangement to meet operating costs and operate the aircraft for corporate charter, where it is envisaged, it will ultimately attract sales; Pacific used this stratagem with its previous 700 before it became the property of mining magnate, Lang Hancock-but not before attracting the attention of the Queensland Government and Elders IXL (who both purchased -800s). “To be seen to be seen in the airways” is how Assistant General Manager, Bob Edwards describes the stratagem.

Pacific would ultimately like to sell the aircraft for around A$5. 6 million; in the meantime, it charters for $2,200 per hour plus expenses.

As a performer, the -700 can fly six passengers plus baggage from Sydney to Perth non-stop with reserves against an average headwind of 43kt. In the winter months, in-flight replanning may be necessary over Kalgoorlie. Normal cruise is Mach 0. 75 (depending on temperature) and optimum level after step climbing for typical loads in 41,000’.

Pacific Aviation crews operate the aircraft and Captain Andrew Atkinson, Chief Pilot for Charter and Flight Operations says of it: “It’s a very stable aircraft to fly and our pilots like it. There is a slight trade-off in speed against the Lear, but the -700 more than makes up for it with passenger comfort – overall it’s a very nice aeroplane. “