Vincent Aviation’s New Calibration Aircraft

The Wellington-based division of Vincent Aviation recently completed the refurbishment of an ex-Origin Pacific BAe Jetstream 31 aircraft for use by Vincent Aviation as a platform in its Airways New Zealand calibration contract. The calibration work involves checking and certifying the accuracy of the beacons that provide navigational and approach guidance to aircraft.

The J31 replaces a Reims Cessna 406 that Vincent previously used successfully in this role and will provide significantly more cabin space for Airways technicians and their specialised equipment.

The calibration equipment used by Airways is uncommon in being easily “portable”; most calibration operations around the world utilise dedicated aircraft with the expensive and highly-specialised calibration equipment being “built in”. While requiring a stable AC power supply, the equipment used by NZ Airways incorporates its own inverter, enabling it to make use of an aircraft’s DC power if required.

Starting in late August, the newly-refurbished J31 calibration aircraft will undertake a three-week deployment of all navaid-equipped airfields in New Zealand to carry out Airways’ regular calibration operations. At the completion of the New Zealand calibration work, the removal of Airways’ portable equipment will allow the aircraft to join Vincent Aviation’s other aircraft for charter work.

In addition to its New Zealand calibration work, Airways New Zealand undertakes calibration services throughout much of the Pacific and in parts of South-east Asia. In October, the calibration equipment will be re-installed and the Jetstream will travel to Papua New Guinea to undertake airway calibration there.

Vincent Aviation operates a range of charter aircraft in New Zealand and a larger fleet in Australia on both charter and scheduled airline services.