July 27, 2001
News Update
The official Launch of the PAC 750XL was a grand event at the Pacific Aerospace Corporation factory in Hamilton New Zealand on July the 19th, 2001.
Pacific Aerospace Corporation must be congratulated from the Board of Directors, Management, Engineering, to their staff of highly skilled aircraft manufacturers.
This has been a team effort where everyone involved has taken this project to heart and home with them every night. Ideas and construction techniques are voiced and discussed from all quarters, in an effort to bring this project along efficiently and with a view toward strength, integrity and ease of maintenance.
All of us who attended this party were treated to great Kiwi hospitality, good food and wine, and a great time. Some of the younger guys didn’t leave until 3.00 am or later!
Mr. Brian Hare, the Managing Director, gave a good insight into the project. Huge investments in modern equipment have cut the parts count considerably,
compared to the Cresco. The same applies to jigs, forms, special tooling etc. The management of PAC is doing a first class job in developing this great aircraft.
It is anticipated that the flight-testing will start within 30 days. This is an exacting process that will be digitally monitored and videoed for every second of the flight program. Both the New Zealand CAA and the United States FAA are involved in this flight test program. This oversight by the two agencies will lead to a thoroughly tested aircraft.
Australian Cresco owner, Ray Curry, was experimenting with his Cresco at PAC 750XL weights. (Full load of jumpers and the remaining weight in fuel). He also
has a company ITT limit of 720 Degrees (Pratt & Whitney limit is 765). The results were consistently the same. 14,000 feet agl in 12 minutes. Ray is anxious to get a XL. He has an early version of the pitot cowl engine intake. The new pictures on www.utilityaircraft.com/photos.html have the second-generation cowl. The third generation cowl will be different again and should be fit in time for the test flight program. The PT6-34 is a great engine. We have spoken to owners and operators who have thousands of hours behind it, and they are all convinced that it is probably the best PT6 for the power. With a carefully designed intake, maximum efficiency is generated at our climb speeds.
We, as you, are very anxious to see how the flight test program works out. Things are sure to pop up, but we at UAC are very comfortable with PAC’s ability to solve problems in a most expeditious and efficient manner. The PAC 750XL is a really simple aircraft and this is an absolute delight for us to see.
We have new photos posted on www.utilityaircraft.com/photos.html. Also check out Pacific Aerospace Corporations web site at www.aerospace.co.nz. There is a wealth of good info about them, their products and the PAC 750XL.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
Regards
Philip Esdaile
Utility Aircraft Corporation
www.utilityaircraft.com
(530) 750-3226
(530) 754-7371 fax
e-mail info@utilityaircraft.com
