Papua New Guinea - Defence Force - AIR Wing
 

Is anyone able to provide an insight as to the current status of the PNG Defence Force Air Wing?
Has anything been achieved since inception?
What aircraft have they operated and what types of aircraft are in service today?
There was a large order placed for PAC-750 single engine aircraft, did they arrive and start flying?
Are there any qualified PNG pilots and engineers in the flight unit?
Has the PNG Defence Force air wing contributed to the Covid-19 pandemic in PNG

Hevilift are/were contracted to supply 2 Bell 212s for the PNGDF, crewed and all the rest of it.

Talk about a PAC 750, however it never arrived or it is parked up in the hangar collecting dust. All the other aircraft are derelict or unairworthy - nogot moni

They could probably do with a decent fleet of surveillance aircraft considering the recent 402 crash.

In the past they successfully operated DC-3's, Nomads (more or less successfully) and IAI Aravas. Their apron now looks like corrosion corner.

I could do the Air Wing a good deal on the 'Sandline' aircraft. Much corroded CASA 212 and very handy C337; both need a little work!

The worst place to be a fighter pilot?

Many many ...many years ago they trained at 1FTS.

Same story with the Patrol Boats gifted by Australia. Some have disappeared almost without trace.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....81d35499bb.jpg
The current "air force".

Where's the CASA 235 they that acquired?

In the hangar I suspect. Last I heard they were awaiting a new engine.

There is two CASA-235 aircraft, one became a Christmas tree and the other has been waiting repairs for over 2 years.
One problem is the naughty boys were running illegal charter and keeping the loot!

A couple of shots of the PNGDF museum as of back end of 2015 early 2016...sorry thats the latest I have....I note the AeroCobra appears missing now from the pic put in the earlier post...was sitting on the very back row. Maybe hiding behind the CASA?

I hope the pics upload OK....


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....cd373e9a46.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....e04d594438.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....cf52ec67de.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....1f0683f9f4.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....671b210650.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....ec3afe43eb.jpg

....I wondered where the Airacobra had gone after the NAC goons shut down the Aero Club....

The CASA C-212 registered N461CA, owned by Sandair, was allegedly "damaged beyond repair" in February 2000: https://aviation-safety.net/database...?id=20000299-0

I think the C337 also belonged to Sandline?

The 'damaged beyond repair' is/was the closest option in the drop down menu to describe an aircraft that appears to have suffered minor damage, severe corrosion, and unlikely to return to service.
I made the entry to ASN

OK. And the Cessna 337 registration? Is it a C337 or an O2? It has a prop spinner so suspect it is a C337.

Does the PNGDF Air Wing have anything flying?

Cessna 337A Skymaster N6291F Serial No. 291 21/02/1997 registered to Sandair Corp of Middleton, Delaware, 3/04/2000 cancelled from register.

Stock standard C-337
 

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....c0cc2baeec.jpg
Stock standard C-337
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....0f600ba3e6.jpg
Poor quality camo paint job

The C-337 along with the CASA212-5 was left behind after the failed coup by Sandline mercenaries; engaged by former PNG Prime Minister, Sir Julius Chan

The PNGDF flying Unit has two CASA 235 aircraft, one is a Christmas tree and used for spare parts to keep one other flying. The so called flyable 235 is grounded awaiting spare parts. The Aravia's are all U/S

Duck Pilot, suggests there may be one of six PAC-750 ordered new from New Zealand over two years ago at the back of the hangar, unconfirmed, no qualified PAC pilots or engineers.

The Defence Force pilot's are a law unto themselves, so they won't bother with SIM recurrency .......

Hevilift supply two Bell 212's with pilots, based at the Air Base.

I'm sure if someone knows a Hevilift pilot they would be able to inform us whats in the hangar.

Nice to know if a PAC750 was ever delivered.

FlightAware shows ZK-DKI a PAC750 arrived in POM on the 29th may 2018. Should still be there, hope the engine has been inhibited