Thai fly buy

By Graeme Kennedy

Friday 21st May 2004

Pacific Aerospace Corporation's CT-4 trainer aircraft is still selling around the world at $US500,000 a time more than 30 years after it was first delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force.

The first of a new Royal Thai Air Force order for eight aircraft was delivered to Bangkok this week to bring the Thai Air Force's fleet of the Hamilton-designed and manufactured trainer to 52 since 1973.

PAC managing director Brian Hare said he expected to sign contracts for another eight CT-4s within the next few weeks.

The rugged and simple aircraft has been a steady money-maker for PAC since it was produced to meet a RAAF requirement for a basic trainer in 1972. About 150 have been manufactured for private and military clients, including the RNZAF.

The two-seat, all-metal CT-4 is powered by a Lycoming AE10 engine for a cruising speed of 278kph and range of 836 km.

Meanwhile, PAC has delivered its first 750 XL utility aircraft to Swiss sky-diving operator Paravia AG and expects to have the versatile turbo-prop in seven markets, including Australia, the US and Africa, by the end of this year.

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