US Training Firm Buys All 34 Aircraft

New Zealand's Minister of Defense, Mark Burton, says his country's air force has sold its entire combat wing -- comprised of 34 Skyhawk and Aermacchi aircraft -- to a private American company, Tactical Air Services, Inc. for around $155 million (US$110 million ).

"This is an excellent outcome. The money received from the sale after aircraft regeneration, shipping and other costs associated with the sale will be available to continue the program of developing a modern, relevant defence force," Burton said.

"There has been much speculation on the eventual fate of the air combat fleet including misinformed comment about the Skyhawks being scrapped. All parties will therefore be pleased to see this successful outcome."

Executives at Tactical Air Services said the recent addition of European aerospace giant Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company, as the company's "corner stone" shareholder means Tactical Air Services can now complete the acquisition of the New Zealand air combat force aircraft. Finmeccanica is also the parent of Aermacchi SpA, the manufacturer of the RNZAF Aermacchi aircraft.

The sale is conditional upon the formal agreement of the US State Department permitting the importation of the aircraft into the United States as well as the required End User Certificates from New Zealand and Italy. These matters have already been extensively discussed with the respective foreign government departments and no problems were anticipated in finalizing the arrangements.

Burton said work on returning the Skyhawks to operational status will get underway in Blenheim, conducted by Safe Air Limited. The Aermacchi fleet is already fully operational, he said. Both fleets will be progressively shipped to the US over the next few months.

"Given the considerable interest in advancing this matter from other political parties I am sure that they will welcome this announcement, Burton said in a statement to Aero-News. "I am particularly pleased that the regeneration work required to bring the Skyhawks back to operational status is going to a New Zealand company, Blenheim's Safe Air. This recognizes the high level of New Zealand expertise in aircraft engineering."

FMI: www.airforce.mil.nz