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Airlines Tasmanian Airlines

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 DuchessVH-BTO
VH-MKH
VH-ODA
Britten Norman BN2B IslanderVH-AEU
VH-ZOU1
Cessna 172 SkyhawkVH-EOK
VH-EOX
VH-LOR
VH-PRJ
VH-TSP
VH-TSR
VH-USQ
Cessna 206 StationairVH-LCD
VH-MRK
VH-MYS
Cessna 404 TitanVH-CCN
VH-WZM
Piper PA-31 ChieftainVH-BTI
1. Leased
Historic Fleet
Beechcraft 76 DuchessVH-HZD2, 3
Britten Norman BN2B IslanderVH-CWG
VH-IZH1
VH-OBL3
VH-RQW
VH-RTP2
Cessna 172 SkyhawkVH-LGE2
VH-PIX
Cessna 404VH-LAD
VH-LAM
Dornier Do228VH-ATZ
GAF N22 NomadVH-ATO
Piper PA-31 ChieftainVH-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.

Two Par Avion Flight Training Cessna 172s parked at Cambridge Aerodrome

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!

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