About Phoenix Aviation

Since the 1950 s Agricultural Aviation has played in integral role in farming in New Zealand to the extent where this country has become the world leader in Aerial Application Technology.

Originally flying Cessna Agwagons, the company started operations as Rural Aviation in 1963 but with several downturns in farming and NZ losing many overseas markets with the formation of the EEC, the company declined into receivership and looked like folding up completely.

As if from the ashes, the company flew like the mythical Phoenix after a meeting of farmers who decided to buy the business, re name it, add some colour and keep agricultural aviation alive in Southland and Otago.

In 1968, PHOENIX AVIATION was born, first flying Cessna Agwaggons then buying the first of their Fletcher FU-24 aircraft fitted with the new 400HP engine in 1972. This new consortium saw the benefits of offering a service that was QUICK and EFFICIENT, a service that could only be offered by using the new Fletcher FU-24 950 with a 42 foot wing span and large 43 cubic foot hopper. This would guarantee excellent coverage for farmers and run holders at a realistic cost with redeveloped hopper and spreader designs. Demand grew and so did the PHOENIX fleet adding ZK-DMG in 1973 and selling off the last of the aging Agwagons.

The fleet now consisted of 4 high performance FU-24 s, equipped with hoppers and sprayers operating throughout Southland and Otago. As is the case with any business servicing the rural sector, any downturn, no matter how small can have devastating consequences for companies dependent on buoyant farmer incomes. So as it was in the mid 1980's with annual tonnage dropping from over 36,000 to just under 12,000 tons. Excellent management skills and a faithful client base saw PHOENIX AVIATION weather this crisis to such an extent that the company acquired Turbo Air Services in Alexandra adding a new WALTER turbine powered FU-24 M601D to the fleet which operates today from the airport in Alexandra.

As with most industries, aerial application development never stops with more efficient improvements taking place all the time to save farmers money and increase productivity. With the advent of the Global Positioning System (GPS) it only seems natural that such a pin point accurate device would be incorporated into these aircraft supplying the pilot with a guidance system second to none. The online map display of completed swaths makes aerial application by PHOENIX AVIATION more accurate than anyone had ever previously hoped for.

Today, PHOENIX AVIATION runs a modern fleet of Fletcher FU-24 s from their hanger and workshop at the Gore Airport and from Alexandra, Mossburn and Balclutha.

PHOENIX AVIATION's fleet is testimony to the hard work put in by a dedicated team of professionals from a company that prides itself on excellence in a competitive industry.

Call in for a visit!!