Air Tasmania - Airlines of Tasmania - Bassair - Par Avion - Brief Historic timeline

[pnolave]

Hello,

The following is a rather murky subject in regards to recorded history.

I have come across a fair bit of information over the years, but a lot of it contradicts or negates other information.

My understanding of the subject has been collated primarily from old periodicals (such as Flight International and World Airline Fleets) as well as government issues, however, over the years others have had different opinions on the history.

Would anyone be able to 100% confirm that the timeline below is correct, or clarify/correct my misunderstanding please?

I've listed Aerial Services and their progression to becoming Air Tasmania and finally Airlines of Tasmania.

And then Par-Avion who now also use the trading names Air Tasmania and Airlines of Tasmania.

....here we go.....

************************************************************ ******************************************
Aerial Services (Tasmania) --> Air Tasmania (1973) --> Airlines of Tasmania (1982)
Formed in 1968 to take over routes TAA had dumped
Aircraft operated: Aero Commanders 500, AC560, AC680, Cessna 402B
Livery: Outline map of Tassie with AST initials on vert stab

1973 - Reorganised (Chief pilot - Captain Terry Burns)
Renamed Air Tasmania (mk1)
Aircraft operated: DC3, Cessna 402B
Livery: Ansett livery but with AT logo

1980 - Purchased by Bassair but decided to continue trading as Air Tasmania
Aircraft operated: PA31, Cessna 402, EMB-110
Livery: Adopted Bassair livery

1982 - Merged with H.C. Sleigh Airlines (after Skywest had bought and immediately sold H.C. Sleigh)
Renamed Airlines of Tasmania (1st)
Aircraft operated: DH104 Heron, EMB-110, Shorts 360, PA31
Livery 1 - Outline map of Tassie on vert stab (similar to Aerial Services), white fuse
Livery 2 - Vertical green and blue stripes on tail

1997 - Airlines of Tasmania (1st) ceased operations

************************************************************ ******************
************************************************************ ******************
Par Avion --> Air Tasmania / Airlines of Tasmania (1997+)
Formed in 1978

Started using the trading names Air Tasmania (2nd) and Airlines of Tasmania (2nd) on select services some time after 1997.
Livery: Red and blue

Aircraft operated - Several light aircraft as well as BN2 and Do228

Still operating


Your assistance and views will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

[swells]

why not just email us and ask - [email protected]

Shannon

[pnolave]

Originally Posted by swells

why not just email us and ask - [email protected]

Shannon

Cool,

Thanks Shannon.

I prefer not to harass businesses directly with such correspondence, but on this occasion I will.

Email heading your way.

Cheers,

Patrick

[megan]

Familiar with the operation during 75-77. DC-3 and Chieftain.

[swells]

Originally Posted by pnolave

Cool,

Thanks Shannon.

I prefer not to harass businesses directly with such correspondence, but on this occasion I will.

Email heading your way.

Cheers,

Patrick

All good - it’s been something we’ve been wanting to document for sometime, got a lot of old photos lying around

[pnolave]

Originally Posted by swells

All good - it’s been something we’ve been wanting to document for sometime, got a lot of old photos lying around

That would be fantastic

[pithblot]

I used the Essendon to Smithton service back in 1981.

IIRC it was the inaugural E110 flight and the Captain was Gary Love. He kindly let me sit in the right seat; which as a newly minted CPL, I thought was terrific.

There was just 3 POB on that sector; the pilot, the flight attendant and the passenger (me).

[hiwaytohell]

Also Dallas Hay who is at Sharpe Airlines these days would be a good source [email protected]

[CharlieLimaX-Ray]

There was also three brand new Titans leased at one stage, DLF, SON and UOP.

[hiwaytohell]

There was also three brand new Titans leased at one stage, DLF, SON and UOP.

These could not have been there for very long because they went to Eastern (East Coast Commuter Airlines as it was then) in 1980, and one of those had a corporate interior!

[CharlieLimaX-Ray]

The Titans were originally leased by Exuctive Airlines/ H C Sleigh Airlines, to replace the Aerocommanders.

When Airlines of Tasmania was formed, the Titans were replaced by the first of the Herons.

The Titans had to be reduced to nine seaters on RPT, as the result of the new legislation passed after the B200 accident at Sydney.

Air Tasmania we’re operating the three Bandeirante’s on RPT, but also using them on night freight.