1988 Regional Airline Directory

Another Australian Airlines beneficiary was Eastern Airlines, which is rapidly blooming as a mini Kendell with a large turboprop fleet and airline class Dash 8s due for delivery in the course of this issue. Kendell’s themselves ordered a third Saab 340 during the period while Hazeltons have virtually doubled their route network as a result of the NSW Government’s transport shake up. Additionally, the gradual withdrawal of East-West Airlines from much of rural NSW has also allowed many smaller commuters to seek route entitlements that were previously not accessible to them. With the coming of main line deregulation these commuters will begin to move closer to their Ansett and Australian beneficiaries as dual designator status becomes ever more important.

In our Directory this year we have identified 46 active operators, which is one more than last year. Turnover of operators is still very high with eight off and nine on.

The following changes have taken place in the last twelve months:

AIR QUEENSLAND – terminated operations April 1988 with routes going to Australian, Australian Regional and Sunbird. AIR WHITSUNDAY- merged with Seair Pacific July 1988. BARRACK HELICOPTERS-suspended services in May 1987. EASTER AIRWAYS – terminated operations December 1987. Single route operation between Newcastle and Wollongong. LAURIE POTTER AIRLINES – terminated operations October 1987 after only 4 months. Routes and aircraft taken over by Midstate Airlines.

RUNDLE AIR SERVICES – terminated operations April 1988 after 6 of months operations on a single route. STAYWOOD AIRLINES – terminated operations March 1988 after being bought out by a rival operator.

WARATAH AIR SERVICES-change of name October 1987 to Crane Airlines.

On the positive side the following appear for the first time in our Directory:

AIR CENTRAL EYRE – commenced operations January 1988 over routes vacated by Wudinna Air Services.

AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL- commenced operations May 1988 over Air Queensland Twin Otter routes.

CRANE AIRLINES-change of name October 1987. Previously known as Waratah Air Services.

FALCON AIRLINES-commenced operations November 1987. LINCOLN AIRLINES-commenced operations September 1987 in competition with Kendell and Lloyd.

NORTH WEST AIRLINES-commenced operations June 1988 in competition with Kendell and Lloyd.

RUNDLE AIR SERVICES- commenced operations November 1987.

SEAIR PACIFIC- commenced operations April 1988 then merged with Air Whitsunday July 1988.

STATE AIR – resumed operations September 1987.

As of September 1st we had 46 Regional Airlines operating with the State breakup as follows-Queensland-11, NSW-10, South Australia-10, Victoria-6, Northern Territory-4, Western Australia-4 and Tasmania-1 . Last year South Australia had the biggest drop from 9 to 6 while this year they had the greatest increase from 6 to 10.

This year we have identified 245 aircraft, which is 24 up on last year. New operators that have brought in a number of aircraft include Australian Regional and Falcon with 5 and State Air with 4.

Turbine powered aircraft now total 72 or 29% of the fleet, a figure which is 2% up on last year. 4 Mohawk 298s for Lloyd Air, King Air’s for Flight West and Norfolk Airlines and 3 Jetstream’s for Eastern have helped boost these figures. A total of seventeen operators now fly turbine powered aircraft. The 9 seats and under category is still the major force in the Regional Airline fleet though with 150 aircraft or 61% of the total. The most common types in this category are the Cessna 402 and Piper PA-31 Chieftain. This year we have listed 23 Cessna 402s which is 3 up on last year, however in contrast the PA-31 fleet has risen to 58, which is 14 more than last year. This represents 34% of the piston engined commuter fleet and it appears that operators cannot get sufficient numbers of the PA-31 Chieftain. It is also interesting to note that 17 of the 45 operators in this years Directory are flying the PA-31.

Aeropelican Air Services

PO Box 226, Belmont, NSW 2280. (049) 45 0988. TelexAA28092. Fax (049) 45 8824. Airline Code-PO. Route-Newcastle/Belmontto Sydney. Fleet – Twin Otter 300 VH-KZN, VH-KZO, VH-KZP, VH-KZQ.

Aeropelican at present schedule 81 return flights weekly between their home base at Newcastle/Belmont and Sydney. Provisional traffic figures for the twelve months ending July 31st 1988 show that Aeropelican carried 95. ,000 passengers, a slight increase on the previous year.

Air Central Eyre

286 Fullarton Road, Fullarton, SA 5063. (08) 79 9920. Fax (08) 271 81. 69.

Route – Wudinna to Cleve and Adelaide. Fleet – PA31-350 VH-NPB.

Air Central Eyre appear in our Directory for the first time having taken over the routes vacated by Wudinna Air Servioes in July 1987. Using PA31-350 VH-NPB Air Central Eyre commenced flying on a charter basis in December 1987. Their first service as a Reg 203 operator was flown on January 14th.

Air North

PO Box 38133, Winnellie, NT 5789. (089) 81 7188. Telex AA85641. Fax (089) 41 1373. Airline Code – HS. Routes – From their Darwin base Air North operate flights to the following areas of the Northern Territory-Tiwi Island Services: to Bathurst Island and to Garden Point and Snake Bay on Melville Island. Arnhem Land Services: to Elcho Island, Lave Evella and Ramingining. Kakadu Services: to Cooinda/Kakadu, Jabiru and Oenpelli. Peppimenarti Service: to Peppimenarti. Fleet – Douglas DC-3 VH-CAN, VH-MMA; Cessna 441 VH-HWD; Cessna 404 VH-ANM, VH-ANP, VH-ANV VH-ANY, VH-AZU; Cessna 402C VH-ANO, VH-AZO, Cessna 310R VH-ANW, VH-SGL.

In December 1987 Air North commenced a three times weekly service between Darwin and Peppimenarti. During the year Katherine was dropped from the route network. In February 1985 Air North took over the Northern Territory Aero Medical Contract from the Ansett subsidiary Northern Territory Air Work: Four N24A aircraft VH-DHF, VH-DHO, VH-DHP and VH-DHR were maintained and flown by Air North. From September 1987 this contract was taken over by Skywest Aviation.

Fleet changes during the year were as follows- BN-2A Islander VH-NTC was sold to Kiunga Aviation as P2-KAF in October 1987. This aircraft was used to service a contract to the Bushfire Council for controlled fire lighting. With the sale of VH-NTC Air North leased Islander VH-CPG from Perth Air Charter. Queen Air 80 VH-ANJ was withdrawn from service and used as part trade in on a Cessna 404. VH-ANJ was ferried to Moorabbin and there reverted to its former registration VH-BQA. Two Cessna 404s were added to the fleet. In January Rundle Air Services VH-BPMarrived in Darwin and it was re-registered VH-ANM before entering service with Air North. Cessna 404 N404MP flew into Brisbane on July 31st on completion of its Trans-Pacific ferry. Previously used for drug running in the United States this Cessna 404 was impounded by US Customs. After overhaul the Cessna 404 entered service with Air North as VH-ANP. Also part of the Air North fleet is Cessna 421 VH-ANH. Fitted out with an executive interior it is used for charter work.

Air Queensland

PO Box 1381, Cairns, Qld 4870. (070) 50 4222. Airline Code – QN. Air Queensland fleet and route changes were well documented in the 1988 Major Airline Directory (AA May 1988). Since then the following can be added to the sorry story of the demise of AO.

Air Queensland ceased operations on April 30th 1988 with the break up of services as follows – The last Air Queensland service was flown by Twin Otter VH-TGH which operated QN4687 from Dunk Island to Townsville. From May 1st the F27 services from Cairns to Weipa, Bamaga and Thursday Island were taken over by Australian Airlines. The Twin Otter aircraft and the routes they operated were transferred to a new operator Australian Regional Airlines (Queensland) P/L. Finally Sunbird Airlines took over the services from Cairns to Cooktown and Lockhart River.

Disposal of the Air Queensland fleet was as follows-F27-600 VH-TQR was sold to Conair, Abbotsford, British Columbia. As C-FBDY it departed Melbourne on delivery on March 11th. F27-600 VH-TQS and VH-TQT were transferred to the Australian Airlines fleet. The three stored F27-200s VH-FNM, VH-FNV and VH-FNW were all sold in Pakistan as follows-VH-FNM to AP-BOB in January, VH-FNV to AP-BOG. July and VH-FNW to AP-BDF in April. DHC-6-300s VH-AQB, VH-TGF, V:+TGG, VH-TGH and VH-TGI were transferred to Australian Regional Airlines. The four DC-3s VH-DPL, VH-BPN, VH-EDC and VH-PWN were initially placed in storage at Cairns and then later Brisbane Airport. They were sold to DC-3 Queensland and are once again flying out of Cairns. Finally Cessna 404 VH-BPO was sold to Sunstate while Flying Surgeon Cessna 310Rs VH-BPI and VH-FSR were sold to Jetcare at Brisbane Airport.

Air Transit

Commuter Building, Adelaide Airport, SA 5001. (08) 352 3177. Airline Code – UV. Routes – From Adelaideto four centres on Kangaroo IslandAmerican River, Kingscote, Parndana and Penneshaw. Fleet-Cessna 402B VH-ATI, VH-ATY, VH-UBI. Cessna 402 VH-BDZ was retired from service in earlyNovember87. The aircraft was ferried to Parafield where it will be used as a source of spare parts.

Air Whitsunday

PO Box 166, Airlie Beach, Old 4802. (079) 46 9133. Telex AA46489. Fax (079) 46 9355. Air Whitsunday and Seair Pacific merged on July 1st with the name Seair Pacific being retained. All route and fleet changes for Air Whitsunday can he found under Seair Pacific.

Airlines of Tasmania

PO Box 1126, Evandale, Tasmania 7212. (003) 91 8422. Fax (003) 91 8688. Airline Code – IP. Routes-Airlines of Tasmania operate a network of services, which connect the following ports – Devonport, Flinders Island, Hobart, King Island, Launceston, Essendon, Queenstown, Smithton, Strahan and Wynyard. Fleet – DH114 Heron VH-CLV, VH-CLX, VH-CLZ, VH-KAM; PA31-350 VH-PFS, VH-TAS DH114 Heron VH-CLT has been withdrawn from service and is now stored in a dismantled state at Launceston. In October 1986 Airlines of Tasmania were awarded a two year contract to provide aircraft and pilots for the Tasmanian Air Ambulance service. PA-31P VH-BSF and PA31-350 VH-NPC were added to the fleet to service this contract.

Albatross Airlines

6 Todd Street, Kingscote. Kangaroo Island, SA 5223. (0848) 22296. Route – Kingscote to Adelaide. Fleet – PA23-250 VH-BKJ, VH-MCI.

Aquatic Air

Barrenjoey Boathouse, Governor Phillip Park, Palm Beach, NSW 2108. (02) 919 5966. Fax (02) 919 5534. Airline Code-VZ. Routes – Gosford/ Rose Bay: Gosford/Palm Beach/Rose Bay. Rose Bay/Newcastle (Port Hunter). Fleet GAF N22B Amphibian VH-BRQ: DHC-2 Beaver Floatplane VH-AQA, VH-AQV.

Arnhem Air Charter

PO Box 39431, Winnellie, NT 5789 (089) 84 4322. Routes – Darwin/ Maningrida/Milingimbi; Darwin/Milingimbi; Maningrida/Goulbum Island; Darwin/Croker Island/Goulburn Island. Fleet PA31-350 VH-IXP PA31-310 VH-JWH, VH-SAO; P-688 VH-ECO.

Augusta Airways

PO Box 1756, Port Augusta, SA 5700. (086) 42 3100. Telex AA80962. Airline Code-BH. Routes -Port Augusta/Adelaide; Port Augusta/Leigh Creek/Innamincka/Birdsville/Boulia/Mt Isa: Leigh Creek/Adelaide. Fleet – Cessna 421B VH-AAI; PA31-350 VH-NPD; Cessna 402A VH-AWS; Commander 500S VH-ACZ.

Augusta Airways maintain their unique “Mail Run’ weekly service between Port Augusta and Mount Isa. Operated by their Commander 500S VH-ACZ the flight departs each Saturday morning and arrives in Mount Isa that evening. After an overnight stop the Commander returns south to Port Augusta the following day.

AUS-AIR

Northern Avenue, Moorabbin Airport, Mentone, Vic 3194. (03) 580 6166. Telex AA37553. Fax (03) 580 8955. Airline Code – NO. Routes – From their base at Moorabbin Aus-Air operate services to King Island, Smithton, Wynyard and Devonport. Fleet PA31-350 VH-MBP VH-MBT, VH-TXD, VH-TYV; PA31-310 VH-MBY, VH-RTO.

Aus-Air (Australian Air Charterers) are a long established charter operator in the Melbourne area. In November 1986 they commenced RPT flights from Essendon to Smithton and King Island. In July 1987 Department approval was granted for Moorabbin to be used for commuter operations. There Aus-Air provide their own terminal facilities. In March 1988 Devonport was added to the network and this was followed by Wynyard in August. Present schedules show Aus-Air operating seventeen return services weekly from Moorabbin to King Island. PÅ31-350 VH-TYV was added to the fleet in February.

Australian Regional Airlines

PO Box 241, Garbutt, Qld 4814. (077) 25 2255. Fax (077) 25 1825. Airline Code TN. Routes – Caims/Lizard Island; Cairns/Dunk Island Townsville/Dunk Island; Townsville/Proserpine/Mackay/Rockhampton; Mackay/Brampton Island. Fleet DHC-6-300 VH-AQD, VH-TGF, VH-TGG, VH-TGH VH-TGI. Australian Regional Airlines (Queensland) P/L, commenced operations on May 1st over the Twin Otter routes previously flown by Air Queensland.

Barrack Helicopters

PO Box 33, North Fremantle, WA 6159. (09) 430 4126. Barrack Helicopters, who are a division of Barrack Aviation Services P/L, commenced scheduled RPT operations from the Fremantle Heliport to Rottnest Island in late December 1986. In early May 1987 Barrack suspended operations for the winter months. It was hoped that services would resume the following summer. That never took place so, we will remove Barrack Helicopters from our list of current operators. During their brief spell of operations the two S-61N’s VH-BHJ and VH-BHO, which were fitted in a twenty eight seat configuration, carried more than 33,000 passengers.

Crane Airlines

PO Box 149, Mascot, NSW 2020. (02) 667 4974. Fax (02) 693 1974. Airline Code – FD Routes – Sydney/Nowra; Sydney/Tumut. Fleet – PA31-350 VH-LCE Commander 500S VH-IBY Crane Airlines, who were previously known as Waratah Air Services, commenced flying under their new-name in October 1987. The same month their route network was extended to include a service from Sydney to Nowra.

Easter Airways

PO Box 177, Charlestown, NSW 2290. (049) 43 2000. Easter Airways ceased operations in December 1987. For a number of years they have operated a service between Newcastle/Williamtown and Wollongong.

Eastern Australia Airlines

PO Box 538, Mascot, NSW 2020. (02) 693 1000. Telex AA122139. Fax (02) 693 2715 Airline Code – UN Routes – Eastern Australia Airlines operate a network of services connecting the following ports-Armidale, Bathurst, Brisbane, Canberra, Coffs Harbour, Coolangatta, Glen Innes, Grafton, Inverell, Kempsey, Lismore, Maitland. Newcastle/Williamtown. Port Macquarie, Sydney, Tamworth, Taree. Fleet – BAe Jetstream 31 VH-TQJ, VH-TOK, VH-TQL, EMB-110P1, VH-HVS, VH-WDI, EMB-110P2, VH-WDF, Cessna 404 VH-DLF, VH-SON, VH-TMP. VH-TMX, VH-UOP.

For the twelve months ending 30th June 1988 Eastern Australia Airlines carried 118,000 passengers. A busy period for Eastern Australia Airlines with the introduction into service of the Jetstream 31, announcement of an order for two DHC-8-100 aircraft and the commencement of services to a number of ports previously served by East-West Airlines. During the year Easter terminated services to the following ports in favour of Hazelton Airlines – Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar, Cootamundra, Cowra, Forbes, Nyngan, Parkes and Young. Services were opened to the following ex East-West ports-Kempsey on June 25th, Grafton on June 26th and Glen Innes, Inverell and Taree on July 17th. Eastern Australia have also been nominated to take over the Port Macquarie/Sydney and Armidale/Sydney service from East-West. Two DHC-8-100 aircraft VH-TQO and VH-TOP have been ordered for delivery in December and January. Australian Airlines now own a 37% interest in Eastern Australia. Three ex Australian Airlines Jetstream 318 VH-TQJ, VH-TQK and VH-TQL were added to the fleet. Delivered in March after a period of storage at Brisbane they entered service in June. Cessna 404 VH-ARQ was sold to VH Aviation in Canberra while Cessna 404 VH-TMU went to Sunbird Airlines in Cairns.

Eyre Commuter

PO Box 16, Cummins, SA 5631. (086) 86 2329. Routes – Cummins/ Tumby Bay/Adelaide; Adelaide/Port Lincoln/Cummins. Fleet – Cessna 402B VH-FFJ; PA34-200T VH-KAE.

Falcon Airlines

PO Box 41, Stratford, Old 4870. (070) 53 7111. Fax (070) 53 7724. Airline

Code- AB. Routes – Falcon Airlines connect Cairns with the following Cape York and Torres Strait ports- Badu Island, Bamaga, Boigu Island, Coconut Island, Coen, Darnley Island, Horn Island, Lockhart River, Mabuiag, Kubin Village, Murray Island, Saibai Island, Warraber Island, Yam Island and Yorke Island. Fleet- Beech Queen Air B80 VH-FDM; Cessna 402B VH-DTV; Commander SOOS VH-PCO; PBN Islander VH-FCP; P-68B VH-DNK. Falcon Airlines appear in our Directory for the first time. Previously

involved in charter operations, the Cairns based company obtained their SAL licence in November 1987.

Flight West Airlines

PO Box 241, Fortitude Valley, Qld 4006. (07) 252 1152. Fax (07) 854

1971. Airline Code – YC. Routes – Flight West operate a network of services from their Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns bases to the following Queensland ports-Aurukun, Barcaldine, Birdsville, Blackall, Burketown, Charleville, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Coen, Cooktown, Doomadgee Mission, Edward River, Groote Eylandt, Hughenden, Julia Creek, Karumba, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Longreach, Mornington Island, Mount Isa, Normanton, Quilpie, Richmond, Roma, Weipa, Windorah, Winton. Fleet – EMB-110P1 VH-XTL; King Air 200 VH-SKC, VH-SKN, VH-XDB, VH-XRF, VH-XRP. Flight West have greatly expanded their network since our last Directory. This was mainly due to Air Queensland withdrawing from the Gulf

Country and West Cape York on September 30th 1987. EMB-110P1 N212EB was delivered to Brisbane in late October 1987. Registered VH-XTL the Bandeirante commenced flying for Flight West from its Cairns base in December. King Air 200 N771HA was delivered in September 1987 and it entered service the following month registered VH-XRP. On May 29th King Air 200 N76MD was delivered to Brisbane

and it has since entered service as VH-XRF. King Air 200 VH-SPQ which was operating on lease has returned to Skywest Aviation.

Flight West have also taken over the Flying Surgeon service previously

operated by Air Queensland. In March Baron 58 VH-PRH commenced operations out of Longreach, while Baron 58 VH-HFI was based in Roma.

In July Flight West based a second Baron 58 VH-XGP in Roma to service the Flying Obstetrician contract.

Flinders Island Airlines

Hangar 8, Third Street, Moorabbin Airport, Mentone, Vic 3194. (03) 580 3777. Telex AA151850. Fax (03) 580 3953. Airline Code-CK. RoutesFrom their base at Moorabbin, Flinders Island Airlines operate a network of services to the following ports-Albury, Balranald, Corowa, Echuca, Essendon, Flinders Island, Hamilton, Hopetoun, King Island, Mildura, Ouyen. Robinvale, Sale, Swan Hill, Wangaratta, Warracknabeal and Warrnambool. Fleet-PA31-350 VH-BKE, VH-KGN, VH-PWA, VH-RNG, VH-TMN, VH-WGF; PA31-310 VH-AWW, VH-KJS, VH-SOW; PA34-200 VH-FIH, VH-STO.

Flinders Island Airlines is a name that has a long association with the charter business in Victoria. For many years they have held the contract to deliver the Melbourne Herald to Victorian country centres. With a network already in place it was no great surprise when they commenced commuter operations in November 1986.

In December 1987 Flinders Island commenced a twice daily service (Mon-Fri) from Essendon to Warrnambool and Hamilton. This was in direct competition with Staywood Airlines who eventually sold out to Flinders Island the following March. Another new route was opened in September from Essendon to Echuca and Swan Hill.

In October PA31-350 VH-RNG was added to the fleet while the following March PA31-310 VH-SOW was purchased from Staywood Airlines.

Goldfields Air Services

PO Box 435, Kalgoorlie, WA 6430. (090) 93 2116. Telex AA91370. Fax

(090) 93 1979. Routes – Kalgoorlie/Laverton; Kalgoorlie/Leonora/ Laverton; Kalgoorlie/Norseman/Esperance. Fleet – Cessna 402C VH-LAE; Cessna 402B VH-MFF; Cessna 31OR VH-UQR. Goldfields Air Services opened a new route in March when it started operating from its Kalgoorlie base to Norseman and Esperance. Cessna 402B N5187J was imported in late August 1987. After overhaul at

Parafield it was registered VH-MFF before delivery to Goldfields Air Services at Kalgoorlie on October 21st.

Hazelton Airlines

PO Box 12, Cudal, NSW 2864. (063) 64 2104. Fax (063) 64 2294. Airline

Code – ZL. Routes – Hazelton operate a network of services which connect the following ports – Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar, Canberra, Condoblin, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Cootamundra, Cowra, Cudal, Dubbo, Forbes, Gunnedah, Lightning Ridge, Moruya, Mudgee, Nyngan, Orange, Parkes, Quirindi, Sydney, Temora, Walgett, West Wyalong and Young. Fleet- EMD-110P1 VH-WPE; EMB-110P2 VH-WPI; PA31-350

VH-CJQ, VH-DMV, VH-DVG, VH-DVR VH-MYQ, VH-MZF, VH-MZI, VH-MZK VH-MZM, VH-MZV, VH-MZX, VH-TWB.

This was a year of growth for Hazelton Airlines as they more than doubled the number of ports served, 12 to 25, and also added five new aircraft to their fleet. Nine ports previously served by Eastern Australia came under the control of Hazelton-Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar, Cootamundra, Cowra, Forbes, Nyngan, Parkes and Young. In March, Air NSW terminated

operations to Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Lightning Ridge and Walgett. Hazelton now operate to these ports using Dubbo as a hub.

Hazelton added a second Bandeirante and four PA31-350s to their fleet. EMD-110P1 N141EM c/n 441 was delivered in early June and entered service as VH-WPE. PA31-350 deliveries were: N41064 to VH-MZF in April, N4095U to VH-MZK and N4096Y to VH-MZM in May and N41011 to VH-MZX in June. Hazelton Airlines also ordered a Beech 1900C-1 and they will be the first Australian operator of this new commuter. N31079 c/n UC-31 arrived in Sydney in early July and it is planned to enter service with Hazelton as VH-WPA in late September. Hazelton also operate Cessna 310Rs VH-IBM, VH-MXY and VH-UJF. However they are only used for charter work and on company business. The increase in Hazelton’s network should see them carrying 120,000 passengers this year.

Kendell Airlines

PO Box 78, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650. (069) 21 2131. Telex AA69066. Fax (069) 21 7071. Airline Code- KD. Routes- Kendell Airlines operate a network of services from their two major hubs- Adelaide and Melbourne. From Adelaide to- Broken Hill, Ceduna, Goober Pedy, Mount Gambier, Olympic Dam, Port Lincoln, Streaky Bay, Whyalla, Woomera and YuIara. From Melbourne to – Albury, Cooma, King Island, Merimbula, Mildura, Mount Gambier, Portland and Wagga. Fleet – Saab 340 VH-KDK, VH-KDP; Metro II VH-BIF, VH-BIS, VH-KDQ, VH-KDR, VH-WGV, VH-WGX, VH-WGY; Merlin IV VH-SWP.

Kendell continue to maintain their position as the leading commuter airline in Australia. For the twelve months ending June 30th 1988 they carried 245,000 passengers. Flights in and out of Adelaide are now generating 60% of Kendell’s total passenger uplift. A third Saab 340 has been ordered and this aircraft, VH-KDI, will enter service in November.

Laurie Potter Airlines

Suite 2/403 Great Eastern Highway, Redcliffe, WA 6104. (09) 277 7422. Laurie Potter Airlines ceased operations due to financial problems on October 21st 1987.

Appearing in our Directory for the first time last year, Laurie Potter Airlines commenced operations on July 24th 1987. Laurie Potter was a well known health club entrepreneur in Western Australia and in July 1987 he bought out the established commuter operator Avior Airlines. The routes and aircraft operated by Laurie Potter Airlines were duly taken over by Midstate Airlines.

Lincoln Airlines

PO Box 387, Port Lincoln, SA 5606. (086) 82 5688. Fax (086) 82 6235. Route – from Port Lincoln to Adelaide. Fleet – PA31-350 VH-RUH, VH-TOT. Appearing in our directory for the first time, Lincoln Airlines commenced services on the route from Port Lincoln to Adelaide on September 11th 1987. Initially 12 return services a week were operated however this has now risen to 22.

Lincoln Airlines commenced services using PA31-350 VH-RUH and this was joined by another of the same type VH-TOT the following November. A replacement PA31-350 for VH-RUH has been purchased in the United States and it is presently under overhaul at Essendon with planned delivery in September. This PA31-350 is N66915 c/n 7405201 which will be registered VH-LNA with Lincoln Airlines.

LLOYD AIR (Queensland)

PO Box 5, Brisbane Airport, Old 4007. (07) 854 2366. Fax (07) 860 4565. Airline Code- MF. Routes- From Brisbane to Bundaberg and Gladstone. Fleet – Mohawk 298 VH-HEI, VH-HIX, VH-HKS, VH-HKT.

Lloyd commenced commuter operations in SE Queensland on June 1st 1987 being the designated Ansett carrier in the area. Flights were operated from Brisbane to Bundaberg and Gladstone on the coast and to the Central Queensland coalfield ports of Blackwater, Emerald and Thangool/Bileola.

Lloyd purchased four Mohawk 298 aircraft in the United States to operate on these routes, however protracted delays with certification resulted in a variety of aircraft being flown. Services started with Bandeirante’s VH-MWV and VH-MWX, Merlin Ill VH-JCB and Citation 550 VH-WGJ. Passengers also found themselves flying on Cessna 441s VH-TFB, VH-TFW and VH-KDN of Tillair and Commander 690s VH-NYA, VH-NYB and VH-NYF of Amman Aviation.

The first Mohawk 298 VH-HEI entered service with Lloyd on November 10th 1987. It was followed on line the same month by VH-HIX. The final two Mohawks N29812 and N29817 arrived in Brisbane on January 17th after their Trans-Pacific ferry. N29812 became VH-HKS and entered service in June while N29817 was registered VH-HKT and entered service in late August. Lloyd terminated their services to Blackwater, Emerald and Thangool/Bileola on February 28th with Sungold Airlines taking over the following day.

LLOYD AIR (South Australia)

Adelaide Airport, West Beach, SA 5000. (08) 352 6944. Telex AA89228. Fax (08) 223 7699. Airline Code – LL. Routes – Adelaide/Kingscote; Adelaide/Olympic Dam; Adelaide/Whyalla; Adelaide/Whyalla/Olympic Dam; Adelaide/Port Lincoln. Fleet – EMB-110P1 VH-CRG, VH-WBI.

In August 1987, Bodas P/L, an Ansett associated company purchased a major shareholding in Lloyd Aviation. This resulted in Lloyd moving their services from the Australian Airlines terminal to their own facilities at Adelaide Airport. Services out of Adelaide are now operated at a much reduced frequency eg: Port Lincoln, 6 return flights weekly and Whyalla 7 return flights weekly. Details of delivery and entry into service of the four Mohawk 298 aircraft can be found under Lloyd (Queensland).

The Bandeirante is now the mainstay of the commuter fleet in South Australia with the following changes taking place in this period. In late November 1987 VH-MWV was transferred from Queensland to South A _ ustralia. This then released VH-PGS to Darwin, where it is servicing an 011 industry contract. VH-MWV itself moved to Darwin in June and it was replaced by VH-CRG, which has been leased from Shuttle Airlines. V_H-WBI, which is leased from Skywest, continues in service with Lloyd. Finally Cessna 402C VH-UCI was withdrawn from service in October 1987 and flown to Bankstown fordisposal.

The Lloyd charter fleet consists of the following -F28-4000 VH-LAR·

Casa 212 VHICJ; King Air 200 VH-MXK; Cessna 402C VH-OAS and Bandeirantes VH-MWV, VH-PGS and P2-NAL. Learjet 35A VH-HOF was

delivered in June and it has joined Lears VH-BIB, VH-LJB and VH-SLJ operating the Defence Forces target towing contract out of Nowra. Lloyd also operate a large fleet of Bell helicopters from the 214ST to the 206B.

Macknight Airlines

PO Box 356, Deniliquin, NSW 2710. (058) 81 2504. Airline Code – MT. Routes – Deniliquin/Hay/Wagga; Deniliquin/Wagga; Deniliquin/

Tocumwal/Wagga. Fleet – Commander 500S VH-MAV; PA60-600A VH MVY; PA30 VH-HHE. From its inception in July 1970 Macknight Airlines has acted as a feeder carrier. Flights are scheduled in and out of Wagga to connect with Air NSW’s Sydney service. In June Macknight added PA-30 VH-HHE to their fleet.

MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship)

PO Box 821, Nhulunbuy, NT 5797. (089) 87 2777. Telex AA85820. Routes-From their base at Gove, MAF operate services to Elcho Island, Lake Evelia, Milingimbi and Ramingining. Fleet – Cessna 402C VH-AII, VH-UBF; P-68B VH-IYE.

The MAF commuter operation in Arnhem Land is a small part of MAF Australia, an organisation which operates some 40 aircraft in three countries. P68B VH-IYE was added to the fleet during the year while a third Cessna 402C is planned for delivery from the United States in late September. MAF Australia added a second Twin Otter to their fleet when DHC-6-200 VH-BMG was delivered to their Mt. Hagen base as P2-MFY.

Midstate Airlines

Fauntleroy Avenue, Perth Airport, WA 6105. (09) 277 4022. Airline Code – MB. Routes – Perth to Southern Cross and Kalgoorlie; Perth to Geraldton, Kalbarri, Useless Loop and Denham. Fleet – PA31-350 VH-EDV, VH-PRJ, VH-TWU; Cessna 340 VH-FAC; Cessna 310R VH-JVO.

Midstate Airlines commenced operations on July 1st 1986 flying twelve return flights weekly between Perth and Sunbury. With Laurie Potter Airlines terminating services in October 1987 Midstate Airlines took over their routes and their aircraft. Present schedules show Midstate operating three return flights weekly (Mon/Wed/Fri) on the coastal route from Perth to Denham and six return flights weekly (Mon-Fri) from Perth to Kalgoorlie. Due to rail competition Midstate Airlines terminated their Perth to Sunbury service in May.

Norfolk Airlines

GPO Box 905, Brisbane, Qld 4001. (07) 229 0488. Telex AA41421. Fax (07) 860 4084. Airline Code -UG. Routes – Norfolk Airlines operate a network of services connecting Brisbane, Coolangatta, Newcastle and Sydney with Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. Fleet-Beech King Air 200 VH-AAZ, VH-IBD, VH-IBF VH-NIA, VH-NIB, VH-NIC.

This was an extremely busy year for Norfolk Airlines as they continue to take over other companies in the aviation industry. This year they have added Country Courier in November, Sunbird Airlines, Cairns in April and Flightways Air Services, Perth in June. Other companies operating under the Norfolk Airlines banner are Norfolk Jet Aviation with their Learjet 35As VH-WFE and VH-WFJ, Lord Howe Island Airlines and Norfolk Pacific Aviation.

Fleet changes in this period show the delivery of three King Air 200s. VH-NIA c/n BB-470 ex N3018C, VH-NIB c/n BB-259 ex N14SU and VH-NIC c/n BB-487 ex N400N. King Air 200 VH-IBC has been withdrawn from service, while King Air 200 VH-SPQ was leased for a few months from Skywest Aviation. Subject to Government approval, Norfolk Airlines will commence operating from Norfolk Island to Port Vila in October. The order for a DHC-8 has been confirmed with expected delivery being August 1989.

North West Airlines

PO Box 450, Whyalla, SA 5600. (086) 45 8747. Airline Code-NW. Route – from Whyalla to Adelaide. Fleet- PA31-350 VH-TXK. Appearing in our Directory for the first time, North West Airlines commenced operations from Whyalla to Adelaide on June 3rd. Their timetable shows them operating 12 return flights weekly using their PA31-350.

O’Connor Airlines

PO Box 21, Mount Gambier, SA 5290. (087) 25 6666. Fax (087) 25 8003. Airline Code – OL. Route-from Mt. Gambier to Adelaide. Fleet-Cessna 441 VH-OAA.

O’Connor Airlines use their nine seat Cessna 441 to operate fourteen return flights weekly on the Mount Gambier to Adelaide route. Using the slogan ‘The Best Time Airline’ O’Connors schedule their Cessna 441 to take 55 minutes against the 70 minutes of the competing Kendell flight.

In September O’Connor Airlines will do battle with Kendell on another route when they start services between Mt. Gambier and Melbourne. To operate this service a second Cessna 441 will he added to the fleet. To be registered VH-OAM, the Cessna 441 is presently operated by Tillair. At Adelaide and Melbourne O’Connor use the Australian Airlines terminal.

ORD Air Charter

PO Box 73, Wyndham, WA 6740. (091) 61 1335. Airline Code – YO. Routes -Ord Air Charter operate a network of services to the following ports-Baigo Hills, Billiluna, Birrindudu, Carson River, Derby, Doongan, Drysdale River, Ellenbrae, Flora Valley, Fitzroy Crossing, Gordon Downs, Halls Creek, lnverway, Kalumburu Mission, Karunjie, Kirkimbie, Kununurra, Lake Gregory, Limbunya, Margaret River, Mitchell Plateau, Nelson Springs, Nicholson, Ord River, Waterloo and Wyndham. FleetBaron 58 VH-AYV, VH-BBP, VH-EZB, VH-MNH.

Ord Air also operate PBN Islander VH-IOA on charter work while Cessna U206F VH-IRY, Cessna U206G VH-BBU, VH-SHZ and VH-STX are used on Station mail service.

Oxley Airlines

PO Box 741, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444. (065) 83 1955. Telex AA63138. Fax (065) 83 1097. Airline Code-VO. Routes-Port Macquarie to Lord Howe Island; Port Macquarie to Coifs Harbour, Ballina, Coolangatta and Brisbane. Fleet – PA31-350 VH-LHD, VH-LHI, VH-AUI, VH-STO, VH-WGG, VH-WGH.

Oxley Airlines added Ballina to their three times daily ‘milk run’ service between Port Macquarie and Brisbane in October 1987. Two return services, five days a week, are also operated between Port Macquarie and Lord Howe Island. During the year Oxley imported four PA31-350s from the United States. In November N61519 c/n 7552023 and N1028Z c/n 7552013 flew into Port Macquarie. These aircraft were later registered VH-HOX and VH-LHI respectively. On April 7th VH-HOX was written off in an accident at Coffs Harbour. On February 16th N208U c/n 7552095 arrived at Port Macquarie and it later entered service as VH-LHD. Final PA31-350 to arrive was c/n 7305028 which flew in in May. _Registered VH-LHE it was sold the following month to an O\’. )erator In Western Australia. Oxley Airlines are planning to add another two PA31·350s to their fleet in September.

Phillip Island Air Services . .

170 Thompson Avenue, Cowes, Vic 3922. (059) 56 7316. Route – Phillip lsland/Wynyard. Fleet – Cessna 402 VH-BPZ. . .

Phillip Island Air Services provide a twice weekly service (Fn(Sun) connecting Cowes on Phillip Island with Wynyard in NW Tasmania.

Piccolo Aviation

PO Box 832, Rockhampton, Qld 4700. (079) 27 2977. Airline Code-NP. Routes – Piccolo Aviation operates a network of services from Rockhampton to the following ports in the Central 0ueensland coalfields _ Dysart, Emerald, Middlemount and Moranbah. Fleet – Bar<:>n 58 VH-FDC· Baron 55 VH-MNJ; P68B VH-FSH, VH-PNQ, VH-PNU. Piccolo placed Baron 58 VH-FDC and Baron 55 VH-MNJ in service during the year.

Promair

Midland Highway, Welshpool, Vic 3966. (056) 88 1487. Telex AA154564. Fax (056) 88 1520. Airline Code- FB. Routes – Wels_hpool/Latrobe Valley/Launceston; Welshpool/Devonport; Welshpool/Fhnders Island; Welshpool/Moorabbin/Flinders Island; Melbourne (Essendon)/Fhnders Island. Fleet- PA31-310 VH-BRL, VH-EYF, VH-RRM. Promair operate a network of services from their Welshpool base. In November 1987 they opened a new route connecting Welshpool with Devonport.

Rottnest Airbus

Fauntleroy Avenue, Perth Airport, WA 6105. (09) 478 1322. Telex AA2772444. Fax (09) 277 4198. Route – Perth to Rottnest Island. FleetPBN Islander VH-HPL, VH-IGT, VH-SYU.

Rottnest Airbus are currently carrying 1,500 passengers a week on their high frequency service between Perth and Rottn7st Island. In their new $200,000 passenger terminal at Perth Airport was off1c1ally opened. Rottnest took delivery of Islander VH-HPL at Jand . akot _In midNovember from the Philippines. The aircraft operated its first flight for Rottnest on the 26th of that month. Islander VH-IGT was also due for retirement in early September for sale to an operator in New Guinea.

Rundle Air Services

PO Box 116, Garbutt, Old 4814. (077) 79 6933. Rundle Air Services last appeared in our 1986 Regional Airline Directory. That year they withdrew from operating commuter services on the route from Townsv1lle to Greenvale. In November 1987 they again resumed commuter operations, when they started flying between Townsville and Innis/ail. Twelve return flights weekly were scheduled . using Cessna 31-R VH-PPI. Due to poor loadings the flights were terminated in late Apnl.

Sabair

PO Box 404, Toowoomba, Qld 4350. (076) 33 1533. Airline Code-ZG. Route – Toowoomba/Brisbane. Fleet – Cessna T303 VH-LMS.

Sabair presently operate thirteen return services weekly on the Toowoomba to Brisbane route. During the year Cessna 402B VH-TWF was sold to Sunbird Airlines and replaced by Cessna T303 VH-LMS, which is operated in a 5 seat configuration.

Seair Pacific

PO Box 166, Airlie Beach, Old 4802. (079) 46 9133. Telex AA46489. Fax (079) 46 9355. Airline Code- RW. Routes – On the coast Seair Pacific operate services to the following ports – A1rhe Beach, Cairns, Hayman Island, Hinchinbrook Island, Lindeman Island, Mackay, Orpheus Island, Proserpine and Townsville. For the duration of Expo 88 Seair operate between the Gold Coast and the Expo site. Fleet-Grumman Mallard VH-LAW; PBN Islander VH-ISD, VH-ISL; P-68B VH-PNP; DHC-2 Floatplane VH-HAQ, VH-HOE, VH0IDN, VH-JDX, VH-OCW, VH-SSG; Cessna U206F Floatplane VH-LMI; Cessna U206G Floatplane VH-SFU, VH-SFW.

Seair Pacific appear in our Directory for the first time this year. In late

April they commenced scheduled services between the Gold Co_ast and the World Expo 88 site on the Brisbane river. Up to five flights daily were operated using Cessna U206F or DHC Beaver floatplane aircraft.

On July 1st Seair Pacific and Air Whitsunday merged

name being retained. On April 28th Air Whitsunday also took over the operations and aircraft of Lindeman Aerial Services. For a number of years Lindeman had operated their two PBN Islanders VH-ISD and VH-ISL on closed charter flights between Mackay and Lindeman Island. Now Seair offer scheduled flights from Mackay, Proserpine and Airlie Beach to Lindeman Island.

Seair Pacific also have in their fleet a number of Lake Buccaneers previously operated by Air Whitsunday. These aircraft, VH-AWY, VH-AWZ, VH-EJY and VH-SYA, are used on tourist charters between Airlie Beach and the outer Barrier Reef.

Singleton Air Services

Private Mailbag 5, Singleton, NSW 2330. (065) 74 4575. Airline CodeST. Routes – Singleton/Sydney; Singleton/Cessnock/Sydney; Scone/ Singleton/Sydney; Scone/Cessnock/Sydney. Fleet – PA31-350 VH. WAD; EMB-820C VH-HVA.

Present schedules (Monday/Friday) show Singleton Air Services offering two return flights daily on the route Scone, Singleton to Sydney and three return flights daily Singleton, Cessnock to Sydney.

Commander 680FLP VH-EXZ was withdrawn from service and now operates with Terra Safari Tours out of Darwin.

Skywest Airlines

GPO Box R1248, Perth, WA 6001. (09) 426 4555. Telex AA95915. Fax (09) 479 2525. Airline Code – YT. Routes – Perth/Albany; Perth/ Esperance; Perth/Kalgoorlie; Perth/Leonora/Leinster; Perth/Telfer; Perth/Geraldton/Cue/Meekatharra; Perth/Wiluna/Mt Magnet/ Meekatharra; Port Hedland/Marble Bar/Nullagine/Telfer; Port Hedland/ Karratha/Onslow. Fleet – BAe Jetstream 31 VH-ESW, VH-HSW, VH-JSW, VH-OSW; Cessna 310R VH-DAW, VH-TRN, VH-TWN, VH-TWQ.

The July 1987 takeover of East-West Airlines by TNT/News Ltd has resulted in Skywest Airlines being offered for sale. As a result Skywest Airlines and Skywest Aviation are now two separate companies. Skywest Airlines own the Jetstream 31 aircraft however the 4 Cessna 310Rs operated out of Port Hedland are leased from Skywest Aviation. For the 12 months ending 30. 6. 88 Skywest Airlines carried 79,000 pax.

State Air

Adelaide Airport, West Beach, SA 5000. (08) 352 2877. Airline Code – ZY. Routes – Adelaide to Port Lincoln and Adelaide to Whyalla. FleetCessna 402B VH-CEM, VH-IGU, VH-TIV, VH-TWX.

State Air ceased flying in December 1986 due to financial problems. On September 17th 1987, State Air resumed commuter operations with flights between Adelaide and Port Lincoln. In November/December ad hoc flights were operated between Adelaide and Kingscote. From May 17th Whyalla was added to the network.

The current timetable shows State Air operating three return flights daily between Adelaide and Port Lincoln and twelve return services weekly between Adelaide and Whyalla.

Staywood Airlines

PO Box 709, Warnambool, Vic 3280. (055) 65 9348.

Staywood Airlines commenced commuter operations in November 1985 over the former Kendell Airlines route from Melbourne to Hamilton and Warnambool. In March 1988 Staywood terminated their services after being bought out by rival commuter operator Flinders Island Airlines. The PA-31O VH-SOW operated by Staywood then became part of the Flinders Island fleet.

Sunbird Airlines

PO Box 1492, Cairns, Qld 4870. (070) 53 4544. Telex AA48429. Fax (070) 53 7769. Airline Code- SF. Routes – Sunbird Airlines operate services to the following North Queensland, Gulf Country and Torres Strait Island ports – Aurukun, Bamaga, Burketown, Cairns, Cooktown, Croydon, Delta Downs, Doomadgee, Dorunda, Edward River, Georgetown, Karumba, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Mareeba, Miranda Downs, Mornington Island, Mt Isa, Normanton, Robin Hood, Spring Creek – Islands of Badu, Boiga, Coconut, Darnley, Dauan, Horn, Kubin, Mabuiag, Murray, Saibai, Stephen, St Pauls, Sue, Yam & Yorke. Fleet – Cessna 441 VH-KDJ; Cessna 421 VH-CSF, VH-MQZ, VH-SBJ, VH-TWH; Cessna 404 VH-SBG, VH-SBV, VH-TMU; Cessna 402B VH-TWF; Cessna 310R VH-FOA, VH-HEC, VH-TDS; PA31-350 VH-ROL, VH-SBN; PA31-310 VH-PNL; PBN Islander VH-MET, VH-SBO, VH-SBH; P-68B VH-IYB; Bell 206B VH-FJE.

Sunbird Airlines greatly expanded their network in this period as Air Queens!, 1d withdrew from the scene. In October 1987 a number of ports in the Lower Cape and Gulf Country came on line while in May increased services were started to Cooktown and Lockhart River.

Recent additions to the fleet have included Cessna 441 VH-KDJ, which was previously operated by sister company Flightways, Cessna 404 VH-TMU from Eastern and Cessna 402B from Sabair.

Sungold Airlines

PO Box 119, Palmwoods, Qld 4555. (071) 48 7000. Telex AA43990. Fax (071) 48 7500. Airline Code- KO. Routes – Sungold Airlines operate services to the following Queensland ports – Blackwater, Brisbane, Caloundra, Clermont, Dysart, Emerald, Hervey Bay, Mackay, Maroochydore, Maryborough, Moranbah, Orchid Beach Resort, Thangool/B1leola, Townsville. Fleet-Cessna 441 VH-TFW; PA31-350 VH-NEG, VH-OCG; PBN Islander VH-OCH; P-68B VH-IYC.

Sungold Airlines have had a busy year as they expand their route network. In September 1987 they started a twice daily service over the former Henebery Aviation route between Caloundra and Brisbane. In October 1987 they added Gympie to their network on the route Maroochydore, Gympie to Brisbane. In November 1987 operations on tin, Maroochydore to Coolangatta route were terminated. Further expansi0, 1 took place in March when Sungold took over from Lloyd on services fro,,. Brisbane to the Central Queensland coalfield towns to Blackwater, Emerald and Thangool/Bileola. The same month they started a twice daily service between Mackay and Townsville. Initial equipment used was Bandeirante VH-MWX which was leased from Countryair. Services with the Bandeirante terminated in June and Sunstate now use a PA31-350 on the route. On September 1st Sungold will add three more ports to their network. Clermont, Dysart and Moranbah will feed into Emerald where a Cessna 441 will then carry the passengers to Brisbane.

Sungold have leased PA31-350 VH-NEG from Tamair however this aircraft will be replaced later in the year by Sungold’s own PA31-350, which is due on delivery from the US. Cessna 441 VH-TFW entered service on September 1st and is used on flights between Brisbane and Sungold’s Emerald hub.

Sunstate Airlines

PO Box 256, Hamilton Central, Qld 4007. (07) 860 4577. Fax (07) 268 1207. Airline Code-OF. Routes-Sunstate Airlines operate a network of services to the following ports – Blackwater, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Coolangatla, Emerald, Gladstone, Great Keppel Island, Hervey Bay, Mackay, Maroochydore, Maryborough, Noosa, Rockhampton, Thangool/ Bileola, Toowoomba and Townsville. Fleet – Shorts 360 VH-BWO, VH-FCU, VH-MVW; Shorts 330 VH-KNQ; EMB-110P1 VH-FCE, VH-FCG, VH-FCK; DHC-6-300 VH-TNM, VH-TNS; DHC6-100 VH-TZL; GAF N-24A VH-BRP, VH-FCX; Cessna 404 VH-BPO.

Sunstate added a third Shorts 360 to their Queenslahd based fleet in November 1987 when 9M-KGN of Malaysia Air Charter was delivered to their Maryborough maintenance base. The following month the 360 entered service as VH-BWO. In October 1987 EMB-110P1 LN-FAP arrived in Australia and it entered service the following January as VH-BWC. After a few weeks in Queensland the Bandeirante was transferred to Sunstate Airlines (Mildura). Cessna 404 VH-BPO was purchased from Air Queensland in March. The Cessna was used to open a new service connecting Bundaberg with Coolangatla.

Subsidiary company Whitaker Air Services operate GAF N22B VH-WRT and Islanders VH-FCJ and VH-FCO. Using the SE designator these aircraft operate closed charters connecting Bundaberg and Maryborough with Lady Elliot and Fraser Islands.

Sunstate Airlines (Mildura)

PO Box 1080, Mildura, Vic 3500. (050) 22 2444. Fax (050) 22 1639. Airline Code – OF. Routes – Mildura/Melbourne; Mildura/Broken Hill; Mildura/Renmark/Adelaide. Fleet – Shorts 360 VH-MVX; EMB-110P1 VH-BWC; Cessna 404 VH-LAD.

Sunstate Airlines (Mildura) P/L, commenced operations in November 1986 over the routes previously operated by Murray Valley Airlines. EMB-110P1 VH-BWC was added to the fleet in February. As LN-FAP ii was delivered to Maryborough the previous October. After overhaul the Bandeirante entered service with Sunstate Airlines out of Brisbane in January before transferring to Mildura the following month. For the 12 months ending 30. 6. 88 Sunstate Airlines (Mildura) carried 43,318 pax.

Tillair

PO Box 1596, Katherine, NT 5780. (089) 72 1711. Telex AA85506. Fax (089) 2 1097. Airline Code-TL. Routes-Alice Springs/Tennant Creek/ Kathenne/Darwm; Katherine/Roper River/Borroloola; Katherine/Roper R1ver/Numbulwar/Gove/Groote Eylandt; KatherineNictoriaRiver Downs/ Wave Hill Station/Hooker Creek. Fleet-Cessna 441 VH-KDN, VH-TFB, VH-TFG; Cessna 208 VH-TFT; Cessna 402C VH-ROS, VH-TFD, VH-UCE, VH-UCL, VH-UPB; Cessna 310R VH-TFJ, VH-TFP.

During the year there were a number of fleet changes. Cessna 441 VH-KDN was sold to O’Connor Airlines in Mount Gambier in early September. Cessna 402Cs VH-TFM and VH-TZH were sold to an Alice Springs based operator as well as the mail service previously operated out of that port by Tillair. Also sold was Cessna 31OR VH-DZH. Added to the fleet were Cessna 402C VH-UCL and Cessna 310R VH-TFJ.

Waratah Air Services

Waratah Air Services commenced commuter operations in July 1983 on the route from Tumut to Sydney. In February 1987 Waratah came under the control of the Sydney based charter operator Crane Air. The airline continued to operate under the name of Waratah Air Services until October 1987 when it became known as Crane Airlines.

Western Nsw Airlines

Hangar 219, Forest Hill Airport, Wagga NSW 2650. (069) 22 7777. Airline Code – FO. Routes – Wagga/Tumut/Canberra; Canberra/Albury; Canberra/Wagga. Fleet- PA31-310 VH-WAL; PA60-600A VH-WMY. Western NSW Airlines have recently replaced their PA60-600A VH-UYY with another of the same type, VH-WMY.