Originally Posted by
lucille
I know the Paspaley people were quite excited by this announcement (to the point their Mallards were used in early AAI advertising and promos) because their aircraft are still old meaning maintenance costs will only increase with time. Hopefully AAI can assist with spares manufacture to keep the G-73T Mallards going, 'cause the G-111T Albatross is a much bigger beastie and the Mallards are perfect for Paspaley's operations..
Most non-seaplane folks don't appreciate how much work goes in to maintaining aircraft operating on the open (salt-water) ocean, making daily hose-downs and compressor washes a seriously big deal. Sometimes the airport fireys help out, which is quite a spectacle in itself.
(PS: It wasn't only PPT that transferred from Air Whitsunday.. some of the pilots did too!
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