James Aviation looks overseas for partner

Press, 26 May 1979, Page 20

James Aviation looks overseas for partner

pA Wellington James Aviation, Ltd, is negotiating to establish itself overseas the chairman and managing director of the group (Mr O. G. James) said at the annual general meeting. Mr Donald McLeod, the general manager, recently returned with a proposal which could see the beginning of a joint-venture overseas in the near future, the meeting was told. James Aviation has now acquired all of the shares of Lakeland Motors (Rotorua) Ltd.

ni Land has been purchased, to relocate that company 1 outside the centre of the j city of Rotorua, and plans a for a garage are being prej pared for tender. It is hoped Q that the business will be established in the new faclility early in 1980. y | Application has been ( ] made, to the Air Services ]. Licensing Authority for ..additional air service e licenses, to extend the services of James Air out of v Auckland, and a decision by the authority is exj pected soon. A contract has been won — lto supply a helicopter to be based on a large fishing vessel. The helicopter will operate both in New Zealand waters, and off the Pacific coasts of North and South America. This is the first I New Zealand-owned helicopter to be involved in this type of work. I Two additional licenses to irecover deer have been secured recently. This activity is being increased with the view of establishing a herd I for the company’s deer-farm. I The company believes that ! there will be an opportunity for the development of James Air as a regional third-level airline of importance. The division continues to improve its services, and

to receive unproved patronage. New Zealand Aerospace Industries, Ltd, has increased its production of agricultural aircraft. Deliveries of one per month, to the United States, are scheduled in both complete and kitset form. Recently two aircraft were delivered to Australia, and enquiries are being processed for Middle East countries. The Cresco, the new turbine powered aircraft being produced by Aerospace, which increases payload by 80 per cent over the 400h.p, Fletcher, is partway through its test flying programme. Aircraft will be available for delivery early next year. The machine under test has filled all expectations. This will be the aircraft that will fill the needs of agricultural aviation through the 1980 s, and 19905, Mr James said. Fuel supplies are of considerable concern to the company. “However, it is difficult to believe that we will not get fuel due to the importance of the service we provide. “We have had assurances that supplies will improve, but the cost for aviation gasoline will be considerably higher, further increasing our costs,” said Mr James.

The prototype for a range of floating docks, designed to meet a market first identified in New Zealand, but existing world wide, will be launched in Auckland next week.

Shown is the Vickdock 20, nearing completion for its launch next Monday in Ocean Steel Ltd’s Otahuhu factory. It will be dismantled, and transported by road to the waterfront for the launch. The project is a joint venture between the Otahuhu based boat building company, Ocean Steel Ltd, whose proprietor, Mr Donald Thom, was responsible for the original idea and the construction of the facility, and the large international Vickers company, who developed and patented the “Vickdock” design. Mr Thom is receiving support from the DFC in constructing the facility. Built with a capacity to handle vessels of up to 20 tonnes, including fish-

ing vessels and large pleasure craft, the prototype — Vickdock 20 — is the forerunner of a range of floating docks, the largest of which will service craft of over 100 tonnes.

The prototype is owned by Mr Thom, whose company has been licenced by the Auckland Harbour Board to operate it in the Westhaven Boat Harbour where it will specialise in quick-service hull cleaning and painting, propeller repairs and general maintenance.

The company, Ocean Steel, has also been licenced by Vickers to build and market the design in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Vickdock introduces the concept of a floating dock which is raised by using the submarine-type principle of blasting water out of the flooding tanks with compressed air. The conventional floating dock uses pumps to empty the flooded tanks. The tools and mach-

inery used for working on vessels are also run by the main compressor. The application of the submarine type principle has made possible the development of the smaller, quick-service, floating dock. A unique feature of the Vickdock design is its high mobility. It is capable of being rapidly dismantled and transported by road. Mr Thom envisages that several more Vickdock facilities will be required in New Zealand harbours in the immediate future and that there is a ready market for the design in many parts of the Pacific Islands. The Vickers company will be promoting the concept internationally. The prototype will be officially launched by the Under-Secretary to the Minister of Trade and Industry (Mr Allen), and Mr Thom expects to be operating his service for vessels in the Auckland harbour in about two weeks.