Par Avion/Airlines of Tasmania

Tasmania’s largest and most varied operator

Following on from my moderately successful profile of TrackAir Tasmania, the next Tasmanian operator I am covering is Par Avion, also known as Airlines of Tasmania, the state’s largest and most well known charter, training, and commuter airline.

Britten Norman BN2B VH-AEU taking off at Cambridge Aerodrome

A brief history

Check back in a few weeks for a fairly complete history, it’s taking longer than expected.

All three of Par Avion’s Cessna 206s, VH-LCD, VH-MYS and VH-MRK, and a single PAFT Cessna 172 lined up at Cambridge Aerodrome

The Fleet

Current Fleet
Beechcraft 76 Duchess	VH-BTO
	VH-MKH
	VH-ODA
Britten Norman BN2B Islander	VH-AEU
	VH-ZOU¹
Cessna 172 Skyhawk	VH-EOK
	VH-EOX
	VH-LOR
	VH-PRJ
	VH-TSP
	VH-TSR
	VH-USQ
Cessna 206 Stationair	VH-LCD
	VH-MRK
	VH-MYS
Cessna 404 Titan	VH-CCN
	VH-WZM
Piper PA-31 Chieftain	VH-BTI

1. Leased

Historic Fleet
Beechcraft 76 Duchess	VH-HZD^{2, 3}
Britten Norman BN2B Islander	VH-CWG
	VH-IZH¹
	VH-OBL³
	VH-RQW
	VH-RTP²
Cessna 172 Skyhawk	VH-LGE²
	VH-PIX
Cessna 404	VH-LAD
	VH-LAM
Dornier Do228	VH-ATZ
GAF N22 Nomad	VH-ATO
Piper PA-31 Chieftain	VH-BTD²
	VH-IOD

2. Stored at Cambridge 3. Written off 4. Operated by the first itineration of Airlines of Tasmania

Operations

Par Avion operate a wide variety of charter and scheduled flights all around Tasmania, from Melaleuca in the World Heritage west coast, right up to isolated Cape Barren Island in the Furneaux group, and beyond. Commuter services to Strahan from Launceston and Hobart, and to Cape Barren Island from Launceston are currently operated twice weekly by the pair of Cessna 404s, while the Britten Norman Islanders and Cessna 206s fly multiple daily trips ferrying bushwalkers to Melaleuca in the South West Wilderness. Par Avion also offer a number of day trips and tours to destinations across the state.

Britten Norman BN2B VH-AEU being loaded up for a flight to Melaleuca

Par Avion Flight Training

Par Avion Flight Training is the in house flying school of Par Avion that operates in conjunction with the University of Tasmania, providing training for individuals and larger organisations?. Re-established with the acquisition of some of recently liquidated Tasair’s assets in February 2012, PAFT is the premier pilot training facility in Tasmania and offer a huge variety of lessons and courses, from a 60 minute Learn to Fly Experience right up to a full Commercial Pilot’s Licence.

The Future

Par Avion are currently in the process of replacing a number of their oldest Cessna 172s with newer 172S aircraft equipped with modern Garmin G1000 Avionics, mostly purchased from Oxford Aviation Academy in Melbourne. A number of their twin-engined aircraft are also approaching retirement and will likely be replaced over the next five years. By what type they will be replaced by is not confirmed yet, and will depend upon the outcome of some new legislation currently under review.

I hope this has been an informative and interesting addition to my series on Tasmanian Airlines, and I’d like to say a massive thanks to Dain Cairns and Shannon Wells from Par Avion for helping fill in the gaps for this post. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for more photos, and updates on the website!