| 57 ENGINEERING Fieldair Engineering T T Kelly Deeks Keeping aircraft flying safely The company has grown into a nationwide operation spanning aircraft maintenance, engineering, avionics, manufacturing, ground handling, freight logistics, specialist nondestructive testing, and bulk fuel services. Greg Martin Sales Manager greg@superclean.co.nz Proudly supporting Fieldair Engineering Ltd For all your hygiene & consumable needs. T. 06-347 6688 | F.06-347 6687 50 Maria Place Extn P.O. Box 484, Wanganui 4540 www.superclean.co.nz Aircraft Maintenance, Helicopter Maintenance, Instruments & Avionics, Component Overhaul & Repair Palmerston North, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch info@fieldair.co.nz | 06-357-1149 www.fieldair.co.nz Innovation and Excellence in Aviation Fieldair Engineering is marking 75 years in aviation this year, celebrating a journey that has taken the business from a single agricultural aircraft operation in Gisborne to one of New Zealand’s most capable aviation engineering and technical support providers. Founded in 1951 by Lawson Field as a crop-dusting cooperative, the company has grown into a nationwide operation spanning aircraft maintenance, engineering, avionics, manufacturing, ground handling, freight logistics, specialist nondestructive testing, and bulk fuel services. Chief Executive Brett Richmond says the milestone reflects decades of practical service and a strong commitment to customer support. “The business has changed a lot over 75 years, but the purpose has stayed the same,” Brett says. “It is about keeping aircraft flying safely and reliably and solving problems for customers when they need help.” In its early years, Fieldair expanded alongside New Zealand’s aviation sector, operating from multiple bases with aircraft that included Tiger Moths and DC3s. Today it is a Civil Aviation Authority approved Part 145 organisation with facilities in Palmerston North, Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, supporting customers across New Zealand and the Pacific. A major strength of the business is its specialist nondestructive testing capability (NDT), which plays an important role in modern aircraft maintenance programmes. Fieldair provides aviation NDT services using qualified personnel, approved procedures, and calibrated equipment. The process allows engineers to inspect materials and structures for defects without damaging the component being tested. “As aircraft age and accumulate flight cycles, inspection becomes increasingly important. Repeated take offs, landings, and pressurisation cycles can create fatigue over time. NDT helps identify issues early so they can be managed safely and efficiently,” Brett says. The company offers fluorescent liquid penetrant testing, magnetic particle inspection, eddy current testing, and ultrasonic testing. These methods are used to detect surface and subsurface flaws in metallic and composite components, helping operators maintain compliance while reducing costly downtime. Fieldair’s NDT personnel also maintain close links with industry bodies in New Zealand, Australia, Europe, and the United States to ensure capability remains aligned with recognised aerospace standards. Alongside aviation engineering, the company has also expanded its bulk fuel and fuel equipment services division, supporting airports, military facilities, agricultural operations, service stations, and private storage sites. From routine maintenance to emergency repairs and complete system upgrades, Fieldair services pumps, filters, valves, hoses, gauges, and pressure relief equipment. It also produces site specific maintenance schedules and carries out modifications to existing fuel systems. “With fuel infrastructure, reliability and compliance are critical,” Brett says. “Our team can respond quickly, often completing repairs on site through our mobile workshop, which helps customers avoid unnecessary downtime.” Fieldair also plays a significant role in New Zealand’s overnight freight network through the Freightways Group and Parcelair partnership, helping move around 100 tonnes of freight nightly between the North and South Islands using Boeing 737 aircraft. Brett says the scale of the operation reflects the depth of expertise built over generations. “We have experienced people working alongside younger staff coming through, and that transfer of knowledge is vital,” he says. While the scale of the business has changed significantly since its agricultural beginnings, Brett says the underlying culture remains consistent. “The tools, aircraft and technology have evolved, but the mindset is still the same. We are here to solve problems, support operators, and keep aircraft flying.”
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