09/02/2010

Leading aircraft sales and services company, Hawker Pacific, has delivered the first of five additional new King Air 350 aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) 38 Squadron in Townsville.

The King Air 350 was modified and prepared for RAAF service by Hawker Pacific’s specialist modifications team including its avionics subsidiary, Australian Avionics.

The aircraft are being provided under a long term performance based, turn key lease and support contract with Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), signed in November 2009, to supply and support King Air 350 interim Australian Defence Force (ADF) light transport aircraft capability.

The program will deliver an important strategic airlift capability to the ADF in Australia and the Asia Pacific Region in roles such as air logistics, command and control, and reconnaissance.

The Squadron’s eight modified King Air 350 aircraft will provide a gap capability between the retirement of the Caribou and its eventual replacement under Project Air 8000.

The second modified King Air 350 aircraft is expected to be delivered to 38 Squadron in March 2010.

The previous Oakey based Army Fixed Wing Beech 350 fleet of three aircraft have already commenced operations under RAAF control with 38 Squadron following transfer of the assets in November 2009. It is expected the Interim Light Transport fleet of King Air 350 aircraft will be at full strength by mid 2010.

The King Air 350 is a high performance turboprop aircraft that has proven itself to Army and RAAF as a most cost effective, flexible and reliable platform.

Notes to editors.

Hawker Pacific is a market leader in integrated civil and military aerospace sales and product support in South East Asia, Australia, the Pacific and the Middle East and is one of the largest independent companies of its type in the region. The company’s Asian operations include established businesses in Singapore, China, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Hawker Pacific represents some of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers, including Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, Dassault, Bell Helicopter, and Diamond Aircraft. Hawker Pacific is also a primary dealer in used aircraft with networks to source, acquire and trade aircraft globally.

Hawker Pacific is the Region’s premier Fixed Base Operator (FBO) with a network of facilities in Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Singapore and expansions into Shanghai and Malaysia.

The company’s FBOs offer VIP services and crew facilities, 24/7 on demand aircraft charter from a modern aircraft fleet, Flight Operations and total aircraft management.

Hawker Pacific’s product support activities include MRO, structural modification and support services to a wide range of fixed and rotary wing aircraft for corporate, charter, Defence and special mission operators throughout the region. Other services include aircraft and engine maintenance, repair and overhaul, special mission aircraft modifications, design engineering, avionics parts and service, plus the provision of spare parts, exchange rotables and equipment sales.

Hawker Pacific holds the highest certification levels and accreditations including CASA Airline Support Services Certification, ISO 9001 Bureau Veritas accreditation, plus OEM/Customer/ airworthiness approvals by 26 major global suppliers and civil and military regulatory authorities. These set the company apart from most other companies operating in the region, giving it the capacity to deliver complex special mission modifications for both civil and military customers.

The company’s customers include airlines, commuter, corporate, general aviation, rotary wing and special mission operators, governments and the military.

For further information:

Doug Park
Senior Vice President, Australian and New Zealand Operations Group
Tel: +61 2 6198 3350
Mobile: +61 413 018 148
Email: doug.park@hawkerpacific.com
Web: www.hawkerpacific.com