Waikato’s 1,000th Aeroplane Celebrated
October 1st, 2009
The New Zealand aviation industry celebrated a significant milestone recently, with the completion of the 1,000th aircraft to be manufactured in the Waikato region.
This celebration came nearly 50 years after the first plane rolled off the production line at Pacific Aerospace. Pacific Aerospace is the successor to James Aviation, which was a pioneering aviation company in New Zealand.
Dr Wayne Mapp, the Minister of Research Science and Technology, was the keynote speaker at celebrations in Hamilton. He said that the aviation industry is a significant and growing contributor to New Zealand’s economy, and government support is strong and multi-faceted.
Mr Mapp pointed out that the wider aviation industry employs more than 16,000 staff in more than 700 companies, which export goods and services worth more than NZ$800 million. He said that aircraft manufacture and component supply provides a visible and important face to the industry. According to Mr Mapp, the industry’s goal is to reach NZ$2 billion in exports within the next ten years.
The 1,000 aeroplanes manufactured in the Waikato comprise eight different models from four companies. Pacific Aerospace (and its forebears), the biggest producer, has built five models: the Fletcher, the Cresco, the P-750 XSTOL, the Airtourer and the CT-4. Alpha Aviation produced the Alpha 160A trainer, while Micro Aviation produced the Bantam B22 microlight and Autoflight produced the Dominator gyrocopter.
It was Pacific Aerospace that achieved the honour of completing the 1,000th aircraft—a P-750 XSTOL aircraft destined for export to South Africa.
Pacific Aerospace’s CEO, Damian Camp, said that Pacific Aerospace was delighted to have produced the 1,000th aircraft. He described it as a major milestone that he said “highlights the long and colourful history of Pacific Aerospace and the wider aviation cluster.” He also talked about the value of Pacific Aerospace’s success in terms of its ability to act as a “springboard” for other emerging manufacturers.
Of the 1,000 aircraft, Pacific Aerospace has produced 627, Micro Aviation produced 333, Alpha Aviation produced 23 and Autoflight produced 17 gyrocopters.
Representative models of Waikato-produced aircraft participated in an air display for Minister Gerry Mapp, aviation industry members, local politicians and industry stakeholders present at the “1,000th aircraft” celebrations. The Royal New Zealand Air Force was an important participant in the display with an appropriate aerobatic demonstration by its Pacific Aerospace-manufactured CT-4 aircraft.
The September celebrations were organised by the local cluster of aviation industry companies. Originally formed in 2007 as the Waikato Aviation Cluster, this group of over 50 companies has extended its reach throughout New Zealand and now works alongside Aviation NZ, which has a complementary export focus. The cluster has now “re-launched” itself as the Aviation Industry Cluster (AIC) and it will have a national focus.
According to the AIC’s General Manager, Shaun Mitchell, “The Aviation Industry Cluster is working to become the Australasian centre of light aircraft manufacturing, maintenance and airline pilot training.”
He said that the AIC is developing new capabilities and extra supply chain capacity to attract more companies to build aircraft in New Zealand, and added that it is also working hard to support existing manufacturers.
Mr Mitchell also said that the AIC was collaborating on establishing a specialist aviation painting facility in Hamilton targeting international aircraft manufacturers throughout Australasia and Southeast Asia.
According to Mr Mitchell, the New Zealand aviation industry expects its next 1,000 aircraft to be produced within 7–10 years. Achieving this new target will raise New Zealand’s profile as the global leader in light aircraft design, modelling, prototyping, certification and production.
While complimenting the New Zealand aviation industry on its exciting history, Mr Mitchell described its future potential as mind-boggling. He said that industry exports totalled $800 million in 2008 and added that there are sixteen new aviation projects in the pipeline, fifteen of which are new aircraft designs. He said that the new projects represent a potential $927 million in annual exports.
The 16 prototype projects described by Mr Mitchell are in different stages of development, with some still requiring investment. They include designs for an amphibian aircraft, military and civilian gliders, and an innovative short-haul cargo plane.
“If New Zealand really wants to make its mark on the global aviation industry,” said Mr Mitchell, “all companies across the country need to work together to become a world-renowned hub. The Aviation Industry Cluster is stepping up to take the lead and make it happen.”
