Pacific Aerospace Ltd. is an aircraft manufacturing company headquartered in Hamilton, New Zealand. The company has a global presence and has produced approximately 600 utility, training, and agricultural aircraft.
Pacific Aerospace was created from the merger of two companies, Air Parts (NZ) Ltd and Aero Engine Services Ltd. In the mid-1950s, Air Parts began importing Fletcher FU-24s in kit form and later produced a modified version known as the PAC Fletcher. Aero Engine Services diversified from maintenance work into taking over production of the Victa Airtourer, which it developed into the military trainer, PAC CT/4. The two companies merged in 1973 as New Zealand Aerospace Industries, which became Pacific Aerospace Corporation in 1982.
In addition to manufacturing aircraft, Pacific Aerospace has won contracts to provide components to Boeing and Airbus. The company has developed various utility aircraft such as the P-750 XSTOL and low-level CT4 production for over 30 years.
In 2006, a consortium of aviation professionals purchased the assets of the company, and Pacific Aerospace Corporation became Pacific Aerospace Limited.
Pacific Aerospace faced controversy in 2005 when an American firm’s order for 12 PAC 750s was dishonored, which led to discussion around government assistance to the company. In 2017, the company pleaded guilty to breaching United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 against North Korea after a PAC P-750 XSTOL was observed flying at the Wonsan International Friendship Air Festival in September 2016.
In February 2021, Pacific Aerospace notified the CAA that it was insolvent and unable to meet its obligations under the Civil Aviation Act. As a result, the New Zealand civil aviation authority suspended Pacific Aerospace’s AOC. However, the company was bought out of administration by NZSkydive in April 2021 and continues to trade under the Pacific Aerospace name.
Pacific Aerospace has a diverse portfolio of aircraft, including the PAC Fletcher, PAC Cresco, PAC CT/4, and P-750 XSTOL, among others.