Australian company Dean Wilson Aviation recently delivered its fourth Boomerang trainer as the small Kingaroy, Queensland-based manufacturer builds up domestic sales of the all-metal aircraft before targeting international markets.
The Boomerang is a Lycoming 0-235-powered two-seat, all-metal trainer pitched as a replacement for the Cessna 152 and Piper PA-38 Tomahawk. Following a weight reduction programme, maximum take-off weight has recently been increased from 750kg (1,650lb) to 850kg, while engine power has been boosted from 116hp (86kW) to 125hp.
Janadakot airport, Perth-based flying school Minovation Flying Training took delivery of its second Boomerang last month, having been launch operator of the type in 2008.
"The Boomerang has fulfilled its role as a good, sturdy basic trainer able to withstand the rigours of student pilots and our summer temperatures by using technology that has stood the test of time," says Minovation chief flying instructor Min Stokes.
"The Boomerang is built up to a standard, not compromised down to a price or weight. In the long-term I feel sure that our Boomerangs will still be training student pilots in many years to come when other types will be long gone," Stokes adds.
Archerfield airport, Brisbane-based flying training school Flight One also has two Boomerangs in service, with one delivered in April and the second joining the fleet in June.
Dean Wilson Aviation managing director Gary Dean says the manufacturer has interest from companies in South Africa, China and India in licence manufacturing the type, with these markets looking for "a tough all-metal trainer".
The manufacturer has a 10-aircraft order still pending although not firmed up from a flight training school in India. Dean says, however, that the company initially plans to focus its resources on building up sales in Australia and New Zealand before seeking certification elsewhere. "We need to get rolling here first," says Dean, adding that its two local operators are very pleased with the Boomerang, which is cheap to run and tough.
Source: Flight International
