December 2007

The Face of MD Helicopters - Lynn Tilton in New Zealand
In June 2005, MD Helicopters had ceased trading and was within 24 hours of extinction when Lynn Tilton of Patriarch Partners LLC made the decision to buy the company - and save it. During a recent brief visit to New Zealand, Tilton and took time out to speak to Rob Neil about the revitalised MD.

TACEX 2007 - 40 Sqn’s Low-Level High Achievers
TACEX is the name given to one of the RNZAF’s annual flying training exercises. 40 Squadron uses TACEX to train in the low-level tactical flying environment so essential to its many functions around the world.

A Comfortable Anachronism - Nelson Aero Club Turns 75
When he attended Nelson Aero Club’s recent 75th anniversary for Pacific Wings, Leigh Neil looked at “his” Aero Club through different eyes and came to the conclusion that aero clubs have lost none of their relevance in the modern world.

Visiting History at Anklam and Peenemünde
Pacific Wings reader, Hamish Cameron, enjoyed the recent article about WWII test-pilot, Erich Warsitz. The article reminded Hamish of the time he had spent in Germany where he visited many of the places mentioned in Lutz Warsitz’ story about his famous test-pilot father.

Market Overview - Boeing’s Randy Tinseth in New Zealand
In New Zealand, a line like, “Hi, I’m Randy,” will probably get your face slapped. In Seattle, it may well get you a job at the top of the Boeing corporate ladder. In October, Randy Tinseth - replacing retiring Randy Baseler as Boeing’s Vice President, Marketing - visited New Zealand to provide Boeing’s market overview.

Technician’s Perspective
Czech - It Might be Something in the Water
Senior aerospace engineer, Mike Friend, is a fan of the Czech aeroplane industry. He talks about the Czech light aircraft industry and wonders, what light aviation would be like in New Zealand if there were as much air-mindedness shown by New Zealand’s government as the far-sighted Czechs’.