New Zealand manufacturer Pacific Aerospace has completed its 100th P-750 single-engined turbo-prop.
The P-750XSTOLIII, with extremely short take-off and landing capabilities, is the latest model to come from the factory in Hamilton on NZ's North Island.
Pacific Aerospace developed the P-750 10 years ago from the successful Cresco agricultural aircraft, which itself had heritage going back to the FU-24 Fletcher.
Formerly known as a P-750XL, the P-750XSTOL is powered by a 750-shp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 turbine, and is in use right around the world, most commonly into and out of some of the world's most challenging airstrips.
“The P-750XSTOL is the only New Zealand manufactured aircraft to be operating all around the world,” said Pacific Aerospace CEO Damian Camp.
“From the Highlands of Papua New Guinea to the mountains of Nepal, to the Steppes of Russia, and the deserts of Australia. No other aircraft from New Zealand is so widely flown around the world.”
Pacific Aerospace currently employs nearly 130 workers in what is a very small industry sector in NZ.
Thanks to a joint venture with the Beijing General Aviation Company, Pacific Aerospace is preparing for significant orders, including several multi-aircraft enquiries and the company is confident the 200th aircraft won’t be far away.
Pacific Aerospace Global Markets General Manager Mark Crouch said the P-750 excelled as a utility aircraft for challenging flying conditions and as a skydive aircraft.
“Whilst those two markets will remain a key focus, PAL is also looking to capitalise on current opportunities in other markets such as aerial survey, photographic survey, medevac, security and surveillance, and agricultural spraying.
"All these markets require the type of high performing, ultra-reliable, aircraft that the P-750 has become synonymous with. The P-750 is the only aircraft in its class that comes with a standard modular floor – allowing the aircraft to be quickly and easily converted from one mission to another. Other aircraft types require extensive third-party modifications to achieve the same functionality.”
The 100th P-750 is currently on display at the Singapore Air Show.