New Zealand aircraft manufacturer Pacific Aerospace has secured validation for its P-750 XSTOL single-engined turborop in Russia, paving the way for deliveries of an initial batch of 37 aircraft to the country over the next five years.
The Hamilton-based manufacturer has orders for 37 P-750 XSTOLs from Russia customers and sees the market as a promising one because of the need to replace 17,000 pre-Second World War Antonov An-2 biplanes in the country. “Russia is an exciting market for us,” says chief executive Damian Camp. “Capturing just a small fraction of the replacement market for the… An-2 biplanes produced in Russia would be a big deal for us,” he adds.
The first all-metal P-750 destined for Russia – the 85th of the type produced –will be operated by the Moscow-based Parachute Training Centre, and is scheduled for delivery this month.
The 10-seat P-750 XSTOL is used by numerous skydiving operators around the world, as well as in freight, passenger, aerial survey, surveillance, medevac and agricultural roles. The Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-34-powered, fixed gear, low-wing aircraft needs just 220m (750ft) to take off carrying a useful load of 1,905kgs (4,200lbs), with a 1,179nm (2,184km) range. Its STOL performance means the aircraft is in operation in demanding conditions in countries like Nepal, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Africa.
The aircraft secured Chinese type validation at the end of last year and following international demand, Pacifiic is now looking to increase production.
Source: Flight International
