Logo transparentAirtourer Co-operative Ltd.

History

During the formation of the Airtourer Association in late 1977 and early 1978, the then producer of spare parts was the former New Zealand manufacturer of the Airtourer, Aero Engine Services Ltd (AESL) located in Hamilton in the North Island of New Zealand. Initial contact with AESL indicated that they would be prepared to sell their interest in the Airtourer jigs and spare parts held in stock. During 1978 the idea to purchase this holding was discussed amongst the members of the newly formed Association.

As a result the Airtourer Co-operative Ltd was formed with some 38 initial members. Two members (Doug Stott and Andrew Ronald) of the Association travelled to Hamilton NZ in 1978 and met up with former Airtourer test pilot Randy Green who together negotiated the purchase of the jigs and spare parts. In 1980, a small team of members (Sonny Rankin, Frank Rogers, Andrew Ronald and Paul Cary) went to NZ and packed all the items for shipment to Australia. The purchase included all the rights to manufacture parts, all approved drawings, etc.

Once in Australia the Co-operative set up in Sydney and has since supplied spare parts to Airtourers worldwide.  For many years it operated from Alan Wood’s hangar at Hoxton Park and when Hoxton was closed Alan moved to Wedderburn with the major parts and jigs being relocated to Lee Gordon-Browns hangar at Tocumwal. Eventually, Alan was no longer able to continue, and most of the remaining parts were moved to Tocumwal with smaller high-turnover parts going to John O'Halloran at Tewantin, Qld who provides the day-to-day support. Necessary parts are made by various approved manufacturers and sub-contractors.

The Co-op has continued to operate on a volunteer basis with no full-time staff and with considerable help from various members.

In 1998 Millicer Aircraft Industries (MAI) Ltd who had purchased the rights to manufacture the Aircruiser from NZ contacted the Co-op with a view to re-manufacture an updated Airtourer.  As a result, the Co-op transferred the rights of manufacture by transfer of the type certificates but included protection clauses in case MAI were unsuccessful.  It also retained all the necessary plans, parts etc., to continue full parts support to the existing series of Aircraft. In late 2000 MAI ceased trading.  After a lengthy and expensive legal process, the Co-op regained ownership of the Type Certificate and associated intellectual property. This has enabled the Co-op to continue to provide support for all Victa and AESL series Airtourers but more importantly, fulfil the regulatory responsibilities of a Type Certificate holder.