PAC P-750 XSTOL

{{short description|Utility transport aircraft}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}  {{Infobox aircraft |name = P-750 XSTOL |image = File:PACP-750XSTOL2.jpg |caption = |type = [[Utility aircraft]] |national_origin= [[New Zealand]] |manufacturer = [[Pacific Aerospace]] |designer = |first_flight = 2001 |introduction = |retired = |status = Active in production |primary_user = |produced = 2001-present |number_built = 120 |developed_from = [[PAC Cresco]] |variants = }} The '''PAC P-750 XSTOL''', (formerly known as the '''PAC 750XL''') is a utility aircraft of conventional [[Aluminium|all-metal]] low-wing [[monoplane]] design, with fixed [[Tricycle gear|tricycle undercarriage]]. Combining the engine and wings of the [[PAC Cresco]] with a new larger [[fuselage]] and modified [[Empennage|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|Pacific Aerospace Limited]].

==Development== 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 [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] [[Type certificate|certification]] in 2004.

In 2008, the manufacturer stated production was increasing from 12 to 24 per year.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://aerospace.co.nz/cms_resources/P-750XL%20Aust%20Flying%20Mar%2008.pdf |title= Power & punch to spare |date= March 2008 |work= Australian Flying |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090203003105/http://aerospace.co.nz/cms_resources/P-750XL%20Aust%20Flying%20Mar%2008.pdf |archive-date= 2009-02-03 }}</ref> 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,<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2016-02-17/100-pac-750 |title= 100 Up for PAC-750 |date= February 17, 2016 |author= David Donald |work= Aviation International News}}</ref> and over 120 by January 2019.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

In 2012, Pacific Aerospace achieved certification for the P-750 XSTOL against ICAO Annex 6 for Single Engine IFR Commercial Passenger Transport Operations.<ref name="P-750 XSTOL Description">{{cite web |url= http://www.aerospace.co.nz/aircraft/p-750-xstol/description |title= P-750 XSTOL Description |publisher= Pacific Aerospace}}</ref>

Pacific Aerospace has allowed licence production in China.<ref name="Pacific Aerospace Poised to Open Final Assembly Line in China">{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pacific-aerospace-poised-to-open-final-assembly-line-429988/description |title= Pacific Aerospace Final Production Line in China |publisher= Flight Global|date= 2016-10-03 }}</ref> A civil cargo PAC750XL UAV with minimal changes to enable remote piloting has been flown in China.<ref name="Xinhua">{{cite news |url= http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-10/27/c_136710480.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180416073453/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-10/27/c_136710480.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 16 April 2018 |title= China's AT-200 drone makes maiden flight |work= Xinhua |date= 27 Oct 2017 }}</ref> This UAV is not endorsed by the New Zealand manufacturer and is a separate entity.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

In March 2018, Pacific Aerospace launched an updated variant, the SuperPac 750XL-II, 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.<ref name=Flight14march2018/>

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.<ref name=Flight14march2018>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pacific-aerospace-launches-super-pac-xl-single-engin-446769/ |title= Pacific Aerospace launches Super-Pac XL single-engined turboprop |date= 14 March 2018 |author= Kate Sarsfield |work= Flightglobal}}</ref>

=== F-25 === 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-Mielec M-18 Dromader|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.<ref name=Flight24aug2020>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/arcus-fire-and-partners-launch-clean-sheet-f-45-turboprop/139881.article |title= Arcus Fire and partners launch clean-sheet F-45 turboprop |author= Kate Sarsfield |date= 24 August 2020 |work= Flightglobal}}</ref>

==Design== [[File:Pac 750 skydiving.JPG|thumb|right|PAC-750 XL used for skydiving. [[Meyers-Diver's Airport]], [[Tecumseh, Michigan]]]] [[File:ZK-SWA geological survey aircraft Upernavik Airport 2007-08-01.jpg|thumb|PAC-750 XL geosurvey aircraft with [[Magnetic anomaly detector]] (MAD) stinger in [[Upernavik]], [[Greenland]]]]

The type was targeted initially to the narrow market of [[Parachuting|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, [[Aerial application|agricultural applications]], passenger operations, [[aerial photography]] and surveying. Twelve aircraft have now been extensively modified for [[Geophysical survey|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|date=February 2019}}

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.

==Military use== [[File:Papua New Guinea Defence Force (P2-702) Pacific Aerospace P-750 XSTOL on display at the 2025 Australian International Airshow.jpg|thumb|left|A Papua New Guinea Defence Force PAC-750 XSTOL at the 2025 [[Avalon Airshow]].]] In February 2016, the [[Papua New Guinea Defence Force]] (PNGDF) signed an agreement to purchase four aircraft.<ref name="Pacific Aero March 2016">{{cite press release|title=PNGDF signs deal for six new {{sic|aircra|fts|nolink=y}}|url=http://www.aerospace.co.nz/dmnews/pngdf-signs-deal-for-six-new-aircrafts|website=Pacific Aerospace|access-date=12 March 2017|date=2 March 2016|archive-date=13 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313044510/http://www.aerospace.co.nz/dmnews/pngdf-signs-deal-for-six-new-aircrafts|url-status=dead}}</ref> The PNGDF purchased one P-750 for the Air Transport Wing which was delivered in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wokasup |first1=Melissa |title=PAC P-750 takes flight |url=https://www.looppng.com/png-news/pac-p-750-takes-flight-104786 |work=Loop Pacific |access-date=19 January 2024 |date=22 September 2021 |archive-date=22 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922172854/https://www.looppng.com/png-news/pac-p-750-takes-flight-104786 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2023, the [[Australian government]] gifted two new P-750s to the PNGDF.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite |title=A new milestone in the defence partnership between Australia and Papua New Guinea |url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2023-11-02/new-milestone-defence-partnership-between-australia-and-papua-new-guinea |website=Department of Defence Ministers |access-date=19 January 2024 |date=2 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Two 750XL aircraft bound for Papua New Guinea Defence Force |url=https://www.aerospace.co.nz/news/two-750xl-aircraft-bound-for-papua-new-guinea-defence-force |website=NZAero |access-date=20 January 2024 |date=29 March 2023}}</ref>

==North Korean appearance incident== 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.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/how-did-north-korea-get-its-hands-on-a-new-zealand-plane-made-with-american-parts/2016/10/03/105591d2-892e-11e6-8a68-b4ce96c78e04_story.html |title= How did North Korea get its hands on a New Zealand plane made with American parts? |work= Washington Post |date= 3 Oct 2016}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/96724372/pacific-aerospace-guilty-of-unlawful-exports-to-north-korea |title= Pacific Aerospace guilty of planning unlawful export to North Korea |work= Stuff |date= 11 Oct 2017}}</ref>

==Operators== ===Military=== ;{{PNG}} * [[Papua New Guinea Defence Force]]

{{flag|North Korea}} * [[Korean People's Army Air Force]] '''(acquired illegally )'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stuff |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/96724372/pacific-aerospace-guilty-of-unlawful-exports-to-north-korea |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=www.stuff.co.nz}}</ref>

{{flag|United Arab Emirates}} * [[United Arab Emirates Air Force]]

==Accidents and incidents== * On 26 February 2016, an Air Kasthamandap [[PAC 750XL]] aircraft with eleven people on board [[2016 Air Kasthamandap PAC 750XL crash|crashed]] at [[Chilkhaya]] in [[Kalikot District]], Nepal, killing two crew members and injuring all nine passengers on board.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2016-02-26/air-kastamandap-plane-crash-lands-at-kalikots.html|title=Air Kasthamandap crash-lands in Kalikot; Captain, co-pilot killed|website=kathmandupost.ekantipur.com|access-date=2016-05-31|archive-date=2016-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226094202/http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2016-02-26/air-kastamandap-plane-crash-lands-at-kalikots.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> * August 11, 2018 - A PAC 750XL aircraft of Dimonim Air registration ''PK-HVQ'' is reported missing on a flight between [[Tanah Merah Airport]] and [[Oksibil Airport]], [[Papua (province)|Papua]], [[Indonesia]]. The flight should have a duration of 42 minutes but failed to arrive at [[Oksibil]]. Search operations are being conducted. Some people in a village reported they heard loud sounds and an explosion. There were two pilots and seven passengers aboard. The wreckage of the plane was located near [[Oksibil Airport]]. Eight occupants died in the crash, a boy was the only survivor.<ref>{{citation|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/214373|title=Accident PA 750XL PK-HVQ, 11 Aug 2018}}</ref>

{{Aircraft specs |ref=Pacific Aerospace<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.aerospace.co.nz/aircraft/p-750-xstol/specifications |title= P-750 XSTOL specifications |publisher= Pacific Aerospace}}</ref> |prime units?=met |crew=one (pilot) |capacity= Pilot + nine passengers or 17 parachutists<ref name="P-750 XSTOL Description"/> |length m=11.11 |span m=12.8 |height m=3.88 |wing area sqm=24.88 |aspect ratio={{#expr:12.8/(24.88/12.8)round2}} |empty weight kg=1,633 |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6]]A-34 |eng1 type=[[turboprop]] |eng1 kw=560

|max speed kmh=315 |cruise speed kmh=259 |stall speed kmh=107 |stall speed note=Idle Power, Flaps Down |range km=2183 |endurance=8h |ceiling m=6,096 |climb rate ms={{#expr:325/60round2}} |more performance= * '''Take-Off Ground Roll:''' 721 ft / 220 m (ISA, SL) * '''Landing Ground Roll (excl. approach from 15m AGL):''' 543 ft / 166 m (SL) |max takeoff weight lb=7500|max takeoff weight kg=3402|max speed kts=170}}

==See also== [[File:Pacific Aerospace 750XL, Pacific Aerospace AN1955487.jpg|thumb|Flight deck of the PAC-750]] {{aircontent |related= * [[PAC Cresco]] * [[Fletcher FU-24]] |similar aircraft= * [[Cessna 208 Caravan]] * [[Daher Kodiak]] * [[Pilatus PC-6 Porter]] *[[Socata TBM]] |lists= |see also= }}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons and category|PAC 750XL}} * {{official website|http://www.aerospace.co.nz/aircraft/p-750-xstol/description}} * {{official website|http://www.aerospace.co.nz|Global Distributor}} * {{cite web |url= https://www.easa.europa.eu/system/files/dfu/EASA-TCDS-A.081_(IM)_Pacific_Aerospace_Corporation_--_PAC_750XL-01-12042006.pdf |publisher= European Aviation Safety Agency |title= Type Certificate Data Sheet |date= 12 April 2006 |access-date= 15 February 2017 |archive-date= 28 May 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160528175557/http://www.easa.europa.eu/system/files/dfu/EASA-TCDS-A.081_(IM)_Pacific_Aerospace_Corporation_--_PAC_750XL-01-12042006.pdf |url-status= dead }}

[[Category:NZAero aircraft|750XL]] [[Category:2000s New Zealand civil utility aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]] [[Category:Low-wing aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined turboprop aircraft]] [[Category:Aircraft first flown in 2001]] [[Category:STOL aircraft]] [[Category:Aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear]]