NZAero – previously Pacific Aerospace and located at New Zealand’s Hamilton Airport – has been designing and manufacturing aircraft for more than 70 years. Types produced include the Victa Airtourer, CT-4 military trainer, Fletcher and Cresco agricultural aircraft, the multi-role P-750 XSTOL and, more recently, the five-seat, E-350 Expedition. Since 2006, the company has been owned by a proud consortium of Kiwi aviation professionals, providing support, including parts, across 55 countries.
For over a decade the PAC-750 (Version I) has served as a parachute jump ship, people and or freight hauler – often out of remote, rough, or short strips, for example, in Papua New Guinea and in medivac roles. It is a low wing, multi-purpose, STOL single-engine turbine.
The next iteration - the 750XL-II - has a derated, 900 shaft horsepower, PT6A-140A, free turbine engine, mated to a massive, Hartzell, 4-blade, 2.74m propeller. There are no cycle limits on the engine’s time between overhaul (TBO) with extension options up to 8,000 hours. Pratt & Whitney claims the PT6A-140A has a minimum component life limit over 50 % higher than other engines in the same class. Mated to the propeller, the PT6 yields a 27% faster climb, and 23% reduced fuel burn to 13,000ft over Version I.
There are new exhaust stubs reducing fuel consumption and facilitating lower inter-turbine temperatures. The XL-II has a wide, side-by-side two seat, Garmin GTN750 and G600 TXi-equipped glass cockpit, supplemented by an excellent, full colour, Electronics
