50 | ENGINEERING Fieldair Engineering Ltd T T Aimee Wilson Diverse aircraft maintenance operation Fieldair Engineering looks after many key clients from private operators of two-seater aircraft right through to business jet owners. Fieldair Engineering is one of New Zealand’s most diverse aircraft maintenance companies, and the business has come a long way in 70 years. Starting out in the agriculture sector, with the introduction of aerial topdressing, the company soon evolved across the wider commercial sector, covering full maintenance and repair engineering services - including engine overhauls, avionics and refuelling operations. In recent years Fieldair, as part of a joint venture, has been operating one of the largest air freight services in the country, and this contribution to the Manawatu region has been vital for the local business community. Employing up to 120 staff across all of its locations in Palmerston North (head office), Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, the freight connection between the North and South Island is an integral part of daily business for the company’s customers. Chief Executive Brett Richmond has worked as a licensed engineer for the company for the past 10 years - and has extensive experience fixing all types of aircraft. The company has recently rebranded and is concentrating on aviation solutions right across the board, in a dynamic and fast moving industry. The sense of innovation and thinking outside the box has been part of the history of Fieldair since its inception. Founder Lawson Field introduced the concept of aerial topdressing using a Tiger Moth, and the company quickly grew to include the full range of aviation capacities or MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) aviation engineering, air freight and ground support. Fieldair Engineering looks after many key clients from private operators of two-seater aircraft right through to business jet owners who frequently fly internationally. There would be about 30 of these private aircraft within New Zealand, all with huge investment, and their maintenance could be quite specialised, he said. Fieldair Engineering has continued to diversify from avionics to calibration of instruments, gauge, and torque wrenches. There’s some old warbird work, and reparation of freight bins as well. Life Flight Trust is one of the company’s big key clients, maintaining all of their fleet of fixed wing aircraft within New Zealand’s emergency air ambulance space. Brett said the future was bright now that the Government had started to realise that aviation was crucial to communities, but a shortage of qualified aviation engineers was still a challenge. Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology offers a two-year pre-apprenticeship qualification to enable people to work in the industry, before they became certified. The sky really is the limit in aviation engineering, and with new initiatives underway to help better connect communities throughout New Zealand, air transport will remain a vital industry. Fieldair Engineering’s services help maintain regional connectivity, ensuring that air transport remains a viable option for moving goods and people. This supports tourism, business travel, and economic linkages between rural areas and larger urban centres. 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 PROUD TO WORK WITH FIELDAIR ENGINEERING LTD 0800 AP1MET (271 638) admin@ap1.co.nz www.ap1.co.nz 17 Te Arakura Rd, Feilding
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