PAC P-750 XSTOL

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P-750 XSTOL
Role Utility aircraft
National origin New Zealand
Manufacturer Pacific Aerospace
First flight 2001
Status Active in production
Produced 2001-present
Developed from PAC Cresco

The PAC P-750 XSTOL, (formerly known as the PAC 750XL) is a utility aircraft of conventional all-metal low-wing monoplane design, with fixed tricycle undercarriage. Combining the engine and wings of the PAC Cresco with a new larger fuselage and modified tail, all versions to date have been powered by a 750 hp (560 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop. It is designed and manufactured in Hamilton, New Zealand, by Pacific Aerospace Limited.

Development[edit]

The design made its maiden flight in 2001. As with the Cresco, horizontal tail surfaces presented difficulties, and these were redesigned before the type entered production. The PAC 750 received full US FAA certification in 2004.

In 2008, the manufacturer stated production was increasing from 12 to 24 per year.[1] In 2008, there was some New Zealand media criticism of government assistance for the manufacturer following cancellation of a large order. By February 2016, 100 aircraft had been produced,[2] over 120 by Jan 2019.[citation needed]

In 2012, Pacific Aerospace achieved certification for the P-750 XSTOL against ICAO Annex 6 for Single Engine IFR Commercial Passenger Transport Operations.[3]

Pacific Aerospace has allowed licence production in China.[4] A civil cargo PAC750XL UAV with minimal changes to enable remote piloting has been flown in China.[5] This UAV is not endorsed by the New Zealand manufacturer and is a separate entity.[citation needed]

In March 2018, Pacific Aerospace launched an updated variant, the Super-Pac XL, with a 900 hp (670 kW) PT6A-140A up from 750 hp and a four-blade 108in (270 cm) Hartzell propeller. It competes with the Supervan 900 re-engined Cessna 208 Caravan with a 900 hp Honeywell TPE331 and 110in four-blade Hartzell propeller. A modified P-750 is ground tested, and will begin flights for a second quarter of 2018 certification and later deliveries.[6]

To increase payload, a weight-reduction programme for 2020 replaces flight-control surfaces in aluminium by composite, installs lighter seating, and strips out cabin components. The passenger and utility aircraft markets account for 70% of its sales.[6]

F-25[edit]

Financed by UK start-up Arcus Fire, the F-25 is an aerial firefighting variant, scheduled to secure its supplemental type certificate in 2021. The $2.2 million aircraft competes against other types like the Polish PZL Dromader, targeting a 100 units market within five years. The conversion includes a new hydraulics pack, fire gate and a 300 kg (600 lb) increase in payload.[7]

Design[edit]

PAC-750 XL used for skydiving. Meyers-Diver's Airport, Tecumseh, Michigan
PAC-750 XL geosurvey aircraft with Magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) stinger in Upernavik, Greenland

The type was targeted initially to the narrow market of skydiving. In the parachuting role, the high-lift wings from the Cresco and relatively high power-to-weight ratio enable the PAC 750 to take a load of parachutists to 12,000 feet (3,700 m) and return to land in 10 minutes.

A wider market was subsequently sought, and examples have been sold for use in utility roles, including freight, agricultural applications, passenger operations, aerial photography and surveying. Twelve aircraft have now been extensively modified for geo-survey work, being fitted with a magnetic anomaly detector sting tail. Proposed ski and float conversions have yet to fly. The P-750 XSTOL is used in South Africa by NatureLink on United Nations Humanitarian Air Services / World Food Programme contracts. While the manufacturer claims lower single-engine running costs than many other utility types, for example, the twin-engined DHC-6 Twin Otter, the type has less usable volume (large cargo panniers providing a partial solution). Due to the unique wing design the P-750 is capable of carrying a higher payload than the larger Cessna 208 Caravan.[citation needed]

The aircraft is currently marketed as the P-750 XSTOL. Pacific Aerospace offers the P-750 XSTOL in many configurations - passenger, freight/cargo, skydive, agricultural, aerial survey and surveillance. The aircraft is marketed as excelling on rough, unpaved airstrips and is available with a wide tyre modification for this purpose. A modified version is being developed for counter-insurgency and light attack.

For passenger and cargo operations, the cabin can be outfitted with up to nine passenger seats or with cargo holds. There is also an optional 1,000 lb capacity cargo pod available which attaches to the belly of the aircraft. The aircraft can be configured as all-passenger, all-cargo or a combination of both. All variants have double cargo doors at the rear of the cabin.

Operators[edit]

In February 2016, the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) signed an agreement to purchase four aircraft.[8] The PNGDF purchased one P-750 for the Air Transport Wing which was delivered in 2018.[9] In 2023, the Australian government gifted two new P-750s to the PNGDF.[10][11]

North Korean appearance incident[edit]

A P-750 XSTOL in the markings of the North Korean state airline was photographed during the Wonsan Air Festival on September 24–25, 2016.[12] The aircraft had been sold to China in September 2015 and then illegally exported to North Korea. Pacific Aerospace expressed surprise, however New Zealand Customs discovered that even after the company was aware the aircraft was in North Korea some of the company staff had planned to sell replacement parts for the aircraft to a Chinese company. In October 2017 Pacific Aerospace pleaded guilty to three charges of planning to export aircraft parts indirectly to North Korea, and another charge relating to incorrect completion of export documentation.[13]

Specifications[edit]

PAC-750 on a Standard Takeoff Procedure
PAC-750 on an Air Demonstration Flyby

Data from Pacific Aerospace[14]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one (pilot)
  • Capacity: Pilot + nine passengers or 17 parachutists [3]
  • Length: 11.11 m (36 ft 5 in)
  • Wingspan: 12.8 m (42 ft 0 in)
  • Height: 3.88 m (12 ft 9 in)
  • Wing area: 24.88 m2 (267.8 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 6.59
  • Empty weight: 1,633 kg (3,600 lb)
  • Gross weight: 3,402 kg (7,500 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprop, 560 kW (750 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 315 km/h (196 mph, 170 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 259 km/h (161 mph, 140 kn)
  • Stall speed: 107 km/h (66 mph, 58 kn) Idle Power, Flaps Down
  • Range: 2,183 km (1,356 mi, 1,179 nmi)
  • Endurance: 8h
  • Service ceiling: 6,096 m (20,000 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 5.42 m/s (1,067 ft/min)
  • Take-Off Ground Roll: 721 ft / 220 m (ISA, SL)
  • Landing Ground Roll: 543 ft / 166 m (SL)

See also[edit]

Flight deck of the PAC-750

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Power & punch to spare" (PDF). Australian Flying. March 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2009.
  2. ^ David Donald (17 February 2016). "100 Up for PAC-750". Aviation International News.
  3. ^ a b "P-750 XSTOL Description". Pacific Aerospace.
  4. ^ "Pacific Aerospace Final Production Line in China". Flight Global. 3 October 2016.
  5. ^ "China's AT-200 drone makes maiden flight". Xinhua. 27 October 2017. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018.
  6. ^ a b Kate Sarsfield (14 March 2018). "Pacific Aerospace launches Super-Pac XL single-engined turboprop". Flightglobal.
  7. ^ Kate Sarsfield (24 August 2020). "Arcus Fire and partners launch clean-sheet F-45 turboprop". Flightglobal.
  8. ^ "PNGDF signs deal for six new aircrafts [sic]". Pacific Aerospace (Press release). 2 March 2016. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  9. ^ Wokasup, Melissa (22 September 2021). "PAC P-750 takes flight". Loop Pacific. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  10. ^ Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite (2 November 2023). "A new milestone in the defence partnership between Australia and Papua New Guinea". Department of Defence Ministers. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Two 750XL aircraft bound for Papua New Guinea Defence Force". NZAero (Press release). 29 March 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  12. ^ "How did North Korea get its hands on a New Zealand plane made with American parts?". Washington Post. 3 October 2016.
  13. ^ "Pacific Aerospace guilty of planning unlawful export to North Korea". Stuff. 11 October 2017.
  14. ^ "P-750 XSTOL specifications". Pacific Aerospace.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
PAC 750XL (category)
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