New Zealand's Pacific Aerospace (PAC) is due to receive civil aviation authority certification for the PAC 750XL single-engined turboprop on 30 June, two years after its launch, leading to US Federal Aviation Regulation 23 approval shortly after.
The Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-34-powered 750XL is a low wing, all-metal, fixed tricycle undercarriage aircraft designed to cruise at 170kt (315km/h), says the Hamilton-based company. The $950,000 utility machine has undergone several structural modifications since it first flew in September 2001. "This is an all- new aircraft compared to the original PAC 750XL prototype," says PAC general manager John McWilliam. Improvements include a 40% increase in the tail area, redesigned ailerons, strengthened flaps and a new rudder.
The company says it is close to securing orders from operators in the UK and the USA, although the launch customer is likely to be a New Zealand-based operator.
Source: Flight International
