Manufacture of Two-Seater Training Aircraft
Alpha Aviation Ltd

Because of liability problems established manufacturers in the United States ceased the production of two-seater training aircrafts. Alpha Aviation in Hamilton was established in response to this emerging gap in the market. The company bought the rights, drawings and jigs for a French-designed aircraft and set up an aircraft manufacturing business to make elegant, well-performing and robust two-seater trainers.

The project integrated many facets – financing, marketing, project management and production control as well as the technical aspects of aircraft manufacture. All the components of the aircraft are outsourced, which requires great care with interfaces and quality control. Only the final assembly and painting is done directly by Alpha Aviation. At the time of submission, the first aircraft had flown, the CAA had issued a Type Certificate, and there were 21 firm orders, with more expected.

The judges were particularly impressed by the project’s contribution to the national economy and to building the international reputation of New Zealand engineering. The project got off the ground in a remarkably short time, and the entire operation so far has been established virtually with the original investors’ capital, without external borrowing. The judges admire the aircraft and also the business shrewdness and excellent engineering behind the entire enterprise.

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